José Offerman
Encyclopedia
José Antonio Offerman Dono (born November 8, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís
, Dominican Republic
) is a former professional baseball
player who played professional baseball for nearly 20 years. He played for 15 seasons in the Major League Baseball
and has played 4 seasons of independent and Mexican League baseball since leaving MLB.
He most recently managed the Licey Tigers of the Dominican Winter League, leading them to the 2009 Dominican Winter League Championship. During a baseball game on January 16, 2010, Offerman hit an umpire during an argument and, as a result, has been banned from the Winter League for life.
, Offerman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
as an amateur free agent
in . In , he completed his first season of professional play being named as Best Prospect in the Pioneer League. Progressing rapidly through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut against the Montreal Expos
on August 19, becoming the 55th player in major league history to hit a home run
in his first major league at-bat.
, striking out against Charlie Hough
. He made his first appearance in the All-Star Game
in 1995
but was traded to the Kansas City Royals
after the season, mostly because of his very poor defense. After a year as a utility player, he won the starting second baseman
job in 1997. Offerman had his best offensive seasons in Kansas City, culminating in , when he hit .315 with a league-leading 13 triples and the fifth most stolen bases, 45. After that season, he signed with the Boston Red Sox
as a free agent, making the All-Star Game for the second time in 1999
.
Known more for his hitting skills than his fielding, Offerman's offense began to decline in . He was sent to the Seattle Mariners
during the season, but was released afterwards. In , he joined the Montreal Expos
in spring training
but was cut before the regular season began. He spent the entire year with the Bridgeport Bluefish
of the independent Atlantic League
. In , he won a spot on the Minnesota Twins
roster and led the league in pinch-hits with 12 in 29 attempts. He started with the Philadelphia Phillies
but was released after a slow start. Later, he signed with the New York Mets
and was called back up to the majors in June.
In December, 2008, Offerman was named player-manager of Licey Tigers of the Dominican Winter League. With Offerman as manager, Licey swept the Dominican Winter League Baseball Championships, winning five straight against the Gigantes del Cibao. As champions, Licey was then invited to participate in the 2009 Caribbean World Series with Offerman as manager (the series was ultimately won by Venezuela). (The Caribbean World Series is affiliated with the Winter League programs of Major League Baseball, featuring MLB players and prospects from the Dominican Winter League, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.)
On August 14, , Offerman was thrown out of a Ducks game against the Bridgeport Bluefish
for charging Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech
with a bat after he was hit by a pitch. Beech suffered a broken finger in the resulting melee. Bluefish catcher John Nathans was also hit in the back of the head during the bench-clearing melee, receiving a severe concussion that effectively ended his playing career. Beech and Nathans were taken to Bridgeport Hospital where they were treated and released. After being removed from the game, Offerman was arrested by the Bridgeport
Police.
On August 15, 2007, he was suspended indefinitely. The independent Atlantic League announced on August 17, 2007 that Offerman would remain suspended at least until the legal case is resolved.
On September 24, 2007, Offerman pled not guilty to two second degree assault charges.
On October 30, 2007, Offerman was given two years special probation called "Accelerated Rehabilitation ('AR')." The Court determined that his actions on August 14, 2007 were of an aberrant nature. The Court also found that Offerman is not likely to offend again in the future.
Nathans filed a $4.8 million civil suit against Offerman in February 2009, claiming that he still suffers from post-concussion syndrome
and that the injury allegedly caused by Offerman ended his baseball career.
A day after the incident, the American crew that umpired the game resigned their positions with the Dominican Baseball League and left the country, reportedly due to threats and concerns about their own safety. Because of this incident, Offerman has been suspended for life from the Dominican Republic Winter League. Coincidentally, at the time he was suspended, Offerman was replacing Dave Jauss as Licey manager after Jauss was suspended himself for two years for bumping an umpire during a playoff game.
San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who played professional baseball for nearly 20 years. He played for 15 seasons in the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and has played 4 seasons of independent and Mexican League baseball since leaving MLB.
He most recently managed the Licey Tigers of the Dominican Winter League, leading them to the 2009 Dominican Winter League Championship. During a baseball game on January 16, 2010, Offerman hit an umpire during an argument and, as a result, has been banned from the Winter League for life.
Early life
After attending Colegio Biblico Cristiano High School in San Pedro de MacorísSan Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
, Offerman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in . In , he completed his first season of professional play being named as Best Prospect in the Pioneer League. Progressing rapidly through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut against the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
on August 19, becoming the 55th player in major league history to hit a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in his first major league at-bat.
Major leagues
By , Offerman became the Dodgers' starting shortstop. On opening day 1993, he was the first batter to ever face the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, striking out against Charlie Hough
Charlie Hough
Charles Oliver Hough is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher. He is currently a senior adviser of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
. He made his first appearance in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1995
1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 66th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas, the...
but was traded to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
after the season, mostly because of his very poor defense. After a year as a utility player, he won the starting second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
job in 1997. Offerman had his best offensive seasons in Kansas City, culminating in , when he hit .315 with a league-leading 13 triples and the fifth most stolen bases, 45. After that season, he signed with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as a free agent, making the All-Star Game for the second time in 1999
1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 70th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
.
Known more for his hitting skills than his fielding, Offerman's offense began to decline in . He was sent to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
during the season, but was released afterwards. In , he joined the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
but was cut before the regular season began. He spent the entire year with the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the independent Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. In , he won a spot on the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
roster and led the league in pinch-hits with 12 in 29 attempts. He started with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
but was released after a slow start. Later, he signed with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and was called back up to the majors in June.
Post-USA major leagues
Most recently, Offerman played in the 2008 Caribbean World Series for the Licey Tigers - Dominican Republic 2 team - where he assisted the team in winning its 10th Caribbean World Series title. During the series he signed a contract with the 2008 Veracruz Eagles of the Mexican Summer League.In December, 2008, Offerman was named player-manager of Licey Tigers of the Dominican Winter League. With Offerman as manager, Licey swept the Dominican Winter League Baseball Championships, winning five straight against the Gigantes del Cibao. As champions, Licey was then invited to participate in the 2009 Caribbean World Series with Offerman as manager (the series was ultimately won by Venezuela). (The Caribbean World Series is affiliated with the Winter League programs of Major League Baseball, featuring MLB players and prospects from the Dominican Winter League, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.)
Bat incident
He has not played or managed professional baseball in the United States since 2007.On August 14, , Offerman was thrown out of a Ducks game against the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
for charging Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech
Matt Beech
Lucas Matthew Beech is a professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1996 to 1998....
with a bat after he was hit by a pitch. Beech suffered a broken finger in the resulting melee. Bluefish catcher John Nathans was also hit in the back of the head during the bench-clearing melee, receiving a severe concussion that effectively ended his playing career. Beech and Nathans were taken to Bridgeport Hospital where they were treated and released. After being removed from the game, Offerman was arrested by the Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
Police.
On August 15, 2007, he was suspended indefinitely. The independent Atlantic League announced on August 17, 2007 that Offerman would remain suspended at least until the legal case is resolved.
On September 24, 2007, Offerman pled not guilty to two second degree assault charges.
On October 30, 2007, Offerman was given two years special probation called "Accelerated Rehabilitation ('AR')." The Court determined that his actions on August 14, 2007 were of an aberrant nature. The Court also found that Offerman is not likely to offend again in the future.
Nathans filed a $4.8 million civil suit against Offerman in February 2009, claiming that he still suffers from post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome, also known as postconcussive syndrome or PCS, and historically called shell shock, is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or occasionally up to a year or more after a concussion – a mild form of traumatic brain injury . PCS may also...
and that the injury allegedly caused by Offerman ended his baseball career.
Dominican Republic Winter League incident
On 16 January 2010, Offerman once again engaged in an on-field assault when he struck an umpire while managing a Dominican Republic winter league game. Offerman, manager of the Licey Tigers, came onto the field during the third inning while losing a 6-0 game to the Cibao Giants, to protest ejection of his catcher for arguing balls and strikes and ended up arguing with first-base umpire Daniel Rayburn. He swung with a right hook at Rayburn, who then fell to the ground. Offerman was detained by stadium security, eventually being transported to the local police station to await the end of the game and Rayburn's decision whether to ask for charges to be pressed against him or not.A day after the incident, the American crew that umpired the game resigned their positions with the Dominican Baseball League and left the country, reportedly due to threats and concerns about their own safety. Because of this incident, Offerman has been suspended for life from the Dominican Republic Winter League. Coincidentally, at the time he was suspended, Offerman was replacing Dave Jauss as Licey manager after Jauss was suspended himself for two years for bumping an umpire during a playoff game.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases