SAN FRANCISCO -- The Texas Rangers on Friday apologized and paid an unspecified amount of money to a woman whose nose was broken during a fracas between players and fans at the Oakland Coliseum two years ago.
During the Sept. 13, 2004, brawl alongside the Rangers bullpen, pitcher Frank Francisco threw a folding chair into the stands. The chair broke the nose of Livermore resident Jennifer Bueno, whose husband Craig was among the hecklers.
Bueno filed suit in Alameda County Superior Court against Francisco, teammates Doug Brocail and Carlos Almanzar and the Rangers in April 2005. The Rangers filed a lawsuit of its own against Craig Bueno. All litigation was dismissed with Friday's settlement, Rangers lawyer Michael Murphy said.
"Both sides are happy to have all actions resolved," he said. He declined to discuss the case further and both sides issued a brief statement that declined to divulge the terms of the settlement.
"The Rangers organization reiterated their regret over this incident and apologized to Mrs. Bueno for the injury suffered," the joint statement said.
A trial had been scheduled to start Friday.
J. Gary Gwilliam, the lawyer for Jennifer Bueno, said a four-hour mediation session Thursday helped persuade the parties to settle.
"My clients are quite happy," he said.
Major League Baseball suspended Francisco for 15 games during the 2004 season and the relief pitcher pleaded no contest in 2005 to a misdemeanor charge of assault and sentenced to 20 days in a work program and anger management classes.
Francisco has been limited to eight appearances since undergoing elbow surgery after the 2004 season.
None of the other players involved in the fracas was charged or punished by MLB.