José Offerman

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José Antonio Offerman Dono is a Major League Baseball infielder who was born on November 11, 1968 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

After attending Colegio Biblico Cristiano High School in San Pedro de Macoris, Offerman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1986. In 1988 he completed his first season of professional play being named as Best Prospect in the Pioneer League. Progressing rapidly through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut against the Montreal Expos on August 19, 1990 becoming the 55th player in major league history to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat.

By 1992, Offerman became the Dodgers' starting shortstop. He made his first appearance in the All-Star Game in 1995 but was traded to the Kansas City Royals after the season. After a year as a utility player, he won the starting second baseman job in 1997. Offerman had his best offensive seasons in Kansas City, culminating in 1998 when he hit .315 with a league-leading 13 triples and the fifth most stolen bases, 45. After that season, he signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent, making the All-Star game for the second time in 1999.

Known more for his hitting skills than his fielding, Offerman's offense began to decline in 2000. He was sent to the Seattle Mariners during the 2002 season, but was released afterwards. In 2003, he joined the Montreal Expos in spring training but was cut before the regular season began. He spent the entire year with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League. In 2004, he won a spot on the Minnesota Twins roster and led the league in pinch-hits with 12 in 29 attempts. He started 2005 with the Philadelphia Phillies but was released after a slow start. Later, he signed with the New York Mets and was called back up to the majors in June.