Jose Offerman's Final Hit
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Jose Offerman's final swing as a professional did not strike a baseball, but a human head.
Offerman, who was attempting a comeback with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent League, charged the mound with bat in tow Tuesday night. Very bad idea.
Offerman was arrested after the game and later charged with second-degree assault.
Ironically, it all started with a home run by Offerman, who in 15 seasons in the Majors hit only 57. Bridgeport pitcher Matt Beech drilled Offerman in the leg to retaliate, and something in Offerman erupted.
Catcher John Nathans took a blow to the head on one of Offerman's backswings, while Beech escaped with only a broken finger on his non-throwing hand.
The incident likely spells the end of a once-admirable comeback story for the 39 year-old Offerman, who along with a handful of other former Major Leaguers had hoped the Ducks would be a stepping stone back to the Bigs.
If indeed Offerman is banned from the Independent League, it will be interesting to see if the event becomes a precedent for other professional leagues, including the Majors.
It's a black eye on the sport when something like this happens at any level, but what will Bud Selig do if Delmon Young goes on a bat-wielding rampage at Yankee Stadium? It's scary, but it could happen.
This article is also published at All on the Field sports blog.
