Nathans v. Offerman

Remember a couple of years ago when Jose Offerman went nuts? No, not that time. No, the other time. No, the time he hit those dudes with the bats. Yes. Anyway, he’s getting sued for it now:

Former all-star Jose Offerman is facing a federal lawsuit for a bat-wielding attack at a minor league game that injured two opposing players.

Bridgeport Bluefish catcher John Nathans filed the lawsuit Thursday against Offerman seeking $4.8 million in damages, saying the attack left him with permanent injuries that ended his career.

Offerman was batting for the Long Island Ducks against the Bluefish in Bridgeport in August 2007, when Beech hit him with a fastball. Offerman charged the mound with his bat and swung at least twice, striking Beech and pitcher Matt Nathans.

Offerman was granted probation in 2007, ordered to get anger management treatment and pay the medical expenses of Nathans and Beech.

Offerman was one of the worst glove men around and he hadn’t been a league average batter since 1999. As such, I’m surprised he (a) was able to catch the guy in the first place; and (b) managed to hit him once he caught him.


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Andy L
15 years ago

I don’t really understand what is going on in that penultimmate paragraph quoted.  “Beech” is mentioned with no first name, but hits Offerman with a fastball, implying he was the pitcher.  OK.  The other person he is listed as hitting is “pitcher Matt Nathans.”  OK…maybe he ran in from the bullpen or something.  But then the plaintiff is listed as “catcher John Nathans.”  Same last name as the theoretical relief pitcher, but not listed as sustaining any damage in this paragraph.

Detroit Michael
15 years ago

I don’t mean to be too insensitive, but $4.8M of damages sounds rather steep to me.  Future expected earnings of a Bridgeport Bluefish catcher without a career ending injury just are not that high.  Sure, he’s got medical losses and pain and suffering but $4.8M sounds really high (other than the fact that a former MLB player has cash).

Lindsey Hanson
15 years ago

Craig,

Are there other instances where Offerman went nuts?  Can you give me the info or references?

Thanks,

L