No sooner than I write a length piece on a new book on Manny Ramirez (see previous blog), than this news comes in:

Former Portland Sea Dogs catcher John Nathans is suing Jose Offerman for $4.8-million for injuries incurred when Offerman hit Nathans during a brawl on Aug. 14, 2007.

At the time, Natans was catching for an independent league team, the Bridgeport Bluefish. Offerman, who once played for the Red Sox, was playing for the Long Island Ducks. Against the Bluefish, Offerman was hit by a a pitch and went after the pitcher, bat in hand.

Nathans intervened and was struck in the head by the bat.

According to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, "Nathans, 28 at the time of the incident, sustained a serious concussion that not only ended his career as a baseball player but has caused debilitating and permanent injuries ...

"The assault caused Nathans a brain concussion, vertigo, inner ear damage, continual headaches, post concussion syndrome, and vestibular dysfunction (the vestibular system helps stabilize vision), among other injuries. "

Nathans is being represented by the Connecticut firm Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder.

"We have all occasionally seen enraged batters drop their bats and charge the mound after being hit by a pitch," Josh Koskoff said in a press release. "But Offerman charged the mound, swinging his bat at the pitcher when he hit John in the head."

"We were hopeful that there would be some improvement in John's condition, but the symptoms have persisted and the doctors have indicated that John's condition is permanent."

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