Bridgeport Bluefish Sign Two-Time Major League All-Star Jose Offerman
May 6, 2003 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
Bridgeport, Conn., May 6, 2003 -- The Bridgeport Bluefish announced that they have signed Jose Offerman, a two-time Major League All-Star and thirteen year Major League Baseball veteran. To make room in the 25-man roster the Bluefish placed outfielder Tony Mota on the disabled list. Mota sprained his right wrist on Opening Day in Newark, NJ.
Offerman was released from the Montreal Expos on the last day of spring training in 2003. He began the 2002 season with the Boston Red Sox batting .232 with 4 HR and 27 RBI in 72 games. He later was released from Boston and was signed by the Seattle Mariners where he hit .234 with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 29 games. The 34-year-old infielder is a career .274 hitter who has collected 53 home runs and 502 RBI in 1,488 games. Offerman is just the second former Major League Baseball All-Star to play for the Bluefish (also Mariano Duncan).
"Offerman will add tremendous experience and versatility to our line-up," said Bridgeport Bluefish General Manager Charlie Dowd. "The organization is excited that he has joined the team and we hope that the Bluefish and the Atlantic League can help facilitate his return to the Major Leagues.
The 34-year-old infielder began his Major League career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990. By 1992, he secured a role as the starting shortstop on the Dodgers. Offerman earned his first All-Star selection in 1995 in what turned out to be his last year in Los Angeles. As an everyday second baseman with Kansas City from 1996-98, he has three of his most impressive seasons. In 1998, that included a banner season that boasted career highs in average (.315), games (158), hits (191), triples (13) and stolen bases (45).
Offerman has twice played in the Major League postseason. His first trip to the playoffs came with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. During that first playoff stint he appeared in one game in a NLDS series loss to Cincinnati. During the 1999 ALDS and ALCS with Boston he batted a combined .429 with 1 HR and 8 RBI in 10 games. That included an impressive .458 average (11-for-24) in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
It took Offerman less than three minor league seasons before earning his first stint with the Dodgers. His 1990 campaign with Triple-A Albuquerque catepaulted him to future MLB fame. During that 1990 season he was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year after batting .326 with 56 RBI, 104 runs scored and 60 stolen bases.
Atlantic League Stories from May 6, 2003
- Somerset Patriots Crush Road Warriors in Home Opener - Somerset Patriots
- Bridgeport Bluefish Sign Two-Time Major League All-Star Jose Offerman - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Bridgeport Bluefish Fall to Atlantic City Surf, 4-1 - Bridgeport Bluefish
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