Sunday, December 13, 2009

#711) JOSE OFFERMAN

Jose Offerman signed with the New York Mets as a free agent to a minor league contract on June 8, 2005. He had started the season with the Philadelphia Phillies, but had been released after a slow start. Jose was assigned to extended spring training before joining Triple-A Norfolk and then later added to the major league roster. On June 28th he made his Mets' debut at Shea Stadium. Offerman appeared in 53 games for the Mets, most of them as a pinch-hitter, and was granted free agency on October 15, 2005.

Unfortunately Offerman will be most remembered for an incident that occurred in an Independent League game 0n August 14, 2007. Looking for a last chance in the majors, Jose joined the Long Island Ducks team. That day he was hit by a fastball, and charged the mound with his bat, and swung at least twice, striking the opposing pitcher and catcher. "It was one of those moments that you want to forget. I lost it for about 10 seconds." Offerman told the Connecticut Post. "That's what happened to me. I didn't have any intentions and I feel sorry for what happened and the way it happened." Bridgeport Bluefish catcher, John Nathans suffered a concussion and pitcher, Pat Beech wound up with a broken finger.

Jose Offerman signed his card for my friend, John Guzman during one of his trips to the Dominican Republic on September 29, 2009.

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