| José Offerman | |
|---|---|
.png) Offerman during the2014 Caribbean Series | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1968-11-08)November 8, 1968 (age 57) San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 19, 1990, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 2005, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .273 |
| Home runs | 57 |
| Runs batted in | 537 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
José Antonio Offerman Dono (born November 8, 1968) is a Dominican professionalbaseballmanager and formerinfielder who most recently served as the manager for theAlgodoneros de Unión Laguna of theMexican League. He played professional baseball for nearly 20 years, including 15 seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB) and four seasons ofindependent and Mexican League baseball after leaving MLB.
Offerman most recently managed theTigres del Licey of theDominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), leading them to the 2008–2009, 2013–2014 and 2022–2023 LIDOM Championship. During a baseball game on January 16, 2010, Offerman attacked an umpire during an argument and, as a result, was banned from LIDOM for three years.[1] He managed theRojos del Águila de Veracruz of theMexican League in 2014.[2]
After attending Colegio Biblico Cristiano High School inSan Pedro de Macorís, Offerman signed with theLos Angeles Dodgers as an amateurfree agent in 1986. In1988, he completed his first season of professional play being named as Best Prospect in thePioneer League. Progressing rapidly through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut against theMontreal Expos on August 19,1990, becoming the 55th player in major league history to hit ahome run in his first major leagueat-bat.
By1992, Offerman became the Dodgers' starting shortstop. On opening day 1993, he was the first batter to ever face theFlorida Marlins, striking out againstCharlie Hough. He made his first appearance in theAll-Star Game in1995 but was traded to theKansas City Royals after the season, mostly because of his very poor defense. After a year as a utility player, he won the startingsecond baseman job in 1997. Offerman had his best offensive seasons in Kansas City, culminating in1998, when he hit .315 with a league-leading 13 triples and the fifth most stolen bases, 45. After that season, he signed with theBoston Red Sox as a free agent, making the All-Star Game for the second time in1999.
Offerman was a more productive hitter than fielder; in 1992, 1993 and 1995, he committed 42, 37 and 35 errors respectively.[3] Offerman's offensive production declined beginning in2000. He was sent to theSeattle Mariners during the2002 season, but was released afterwards. In2003, he joined theMontreal Expos inspring training but was cut before the regular season began. He spent the entire year with theBridgeport Bluefish of the independentAtlantic League. In2004, he won a spot on theMinnesota Twins roster and led the league in pinch-hits with 12 in 29 attempts. He started2005 with thePhiladelphia Phillies but was released after a slow start. Later, he signed with theNew York Mets and was called back up to the majors in June.
Offerman played in the2008 Caribbean Series for theTigres del Licey and assisted the team in winning its tenth Caribbean Series title. During the series he signed a contract with the 2008Veracruz Red Eagles of theMexican League.
In December 2008, Offerman was named player-manager of Tigres del Licey of theDominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). With Offerman as manager, Licey swept the LIDOM championship, winning five straight against theGigantes del Cibao. As champions, Licey was then invited to participate in the2009 Caribbean Series with Offerman as manager (the series was ultimately won by Venezuela).
On January 7, 2014, Offerman was again named manager of the Tigres del Licey of LIDOM, replacing Mike Guerrero. With Offerman at the helm, Licey won the LIDOM Championship, winning five games to three over theLeones del Escogido. As champions again, Licey was invited to the2014 Caribbean Series with Offerman as manager.
He has not played or managed professional baseball in the United States since 2007. On August 14, 2007, while playing for theLong Island Ducks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball, Offerman was thrown out of a game against theBridgeport Bluefish for charging Bluefish pitcherMatt Beech with a bat after he was hit by a pitch. Beech sustained a broken finger in the resulting melee. Bluefish catcherJohn 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.[4] Beech and Nathans were taken to Bridgeport Hospital where they were treated and released. After being removed from the game, Offerman was arrested by theBridgeport Police.[5]
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 was resolved.[6]
On September 24, 2007, Offerman pleaded not guilty to two second degree assault charges.[7]
His case was pending in Bridgeport Superior Court GA#2 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. On October 30, 2007, Offerman was given two years special probation called "Accelerated Rehabilitation." 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.[8]
Nathans filed a $4.8 million civil suit against Offerman in February 2009, alleging that he still haspost-concussion syndrome and that the injury caused by Offerman ended his baseball career.[9][10] On July 29, 2014, Nathans won his suit, and Offerman was ordered to pay $940,000.[11]
On 16 January 2010, Offerman once again engaged in an on-field assault when he struck an umpire while managing a LIDOM game.[12] Offerman, manager of the Tigres del Licey, came onto the field during the third inning while losing a 6–0 game to the Gigantes del Cibao, to protest ejection of his catcher for arguing balls and strikes and ended up arguing with first-base umpireD.J. Reyburn. He swung with a right hook at Reyburn, 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 Reyburn'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 LIDOM and left the country, reportedly due to threats and concerns about their own safety. Because of this incident Offerman received a lifetime ban from LIDOM, a suspension that was eventually lifted in February 2013.[13] Coincidentally, at the time he was suspended, Offerman was replacingDave Jauss as Licey manager after Jauss was suspended himself for two years for bumping an umpire during a playoff game.[14]
On February 6, 2024, Offerman joined theConspiradores de Querétaro of theMexican League as their manager.[15] He was awarded the 2024Mexican League Manager of the Year Award.[16]
On June 6, 2025, it was announced that Offerman would be leaving the team, and would be replaced by Rafael Rijo.[17]
On July 21, 2025, Offerman was hired as the manager for theAlgodoneros de Unión Laguna of theMexican League, replacingCarmelo Martínez, who had been serving in the interim.[18] On October 7, Offerman was fired by the Algodoneros.[19]
He is the father of formerWWE ring announcer and former reality television starJoJo Offerman.[20]