Former Boston Red Sox infielder and major league all-star Jose Offerman went absolutely bat shit crazy in an independent Atlantic League game last night in Bridgeport CT. Offerman, playing for the Long Island Ducks, was hit by a pitch in the calf in his 
second at bat of the night and charged the mound wildly swinging his bat. According to Bridgeport Bluefish manager Tommy John, “He took at least two, maybe even three [swings].”
Offerman, who had homered in his first at bat, charged the mound and hit Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech on the hand and catcher John Nathans on the back of the head. Beech broke is right middle finger and Nathans suffered a concussion.
The game was delayed 20 minutes after the melee and when order was restored Offerman, Beech and John were all ejected. Offerman was greeted in the clubhouse by Bridgeport police who arrested and charged him with two counts of second degree assault. He was released on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on August 23rd.
Bluefish CEO Mary-Jane Foster, called the Atlantic League office and requesed that Offerman be suspended for life. He has also been officially nominated for Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame.
Offerman, who played for Bridgeport in 2003, batted .273 during his 15 seasons in the majors. He last played in the majors in 2005 with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. He was an All-Star in 1995 with the Dodgers and 1999 with Boston.
