Trevor Hoffman: The Closer

Trevor Hoffman: The Closer

Trevor Hoffman: The Closer

The role of a closer in the game of baseball is very simple. The closer enters the game in the 8th or 9th inning and shuts down the opposing offense in convincing fashion, whether by strikeouts or by having good enough stuff on the mound to get ground ball outs or lazy fly ball outs. While this role had existed long before a guy by the name of Trevor Hoffman appeared on the biggest stage, it was Hoffman who played a part in revolutionizing the role of closer in modern day baseball.

With the 288th pick in the 11th Round of the 1989 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected Trevor Hoffman, who would sign for just $3,000. Hoffman would go through the minor leagues finding his way, experimenting with other positions such as third base. However, often overthrowing the first baseman on ground balls, Hoffman would quickly switch to being a pitcher.

Hoffman would never pitch for the Reds as he would be unprotected in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft, and he would be taken by the Florida Marlins with the 8th overall pick. Hoffman would only record 2 saves with the Marlins in 1993 before a trade sent him to the San Diego Padres along with pitchers Jose Martinez and Andres Berumen. The Padres sent third baseman Gary Sheffield and pitcher Rich Rodriguez to the Marlins. Hoffman would record 3 saves for the Padres in 1993.

In the infamous strike-shortened 1994 season Hoffman went 4-4 with 20 saves and a 2.57 ERA. In 1995 Hoffman went 7-4 with 31 saves and a 3.88 ERA. 1996 would be the year where Hoffman’s career took off as he would finally master the art of pitching at the end of games. Hoffman went 9-5 with 42 saves, 111 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA. These statistics earned Hoffman The Sporting News Fireman of the Year Award.

In 1997 Hoffman remained steady as he went 6-4 with 37 saves, 111 strikeouts and a 2.66 ERA. His 37 saves ranked as the 2nd most in the National League, trailing only Jeff Shaw of the Cincinnati Reds, who had 42 saves. In 1998 Hoffman was again the best reliever in the National League as he went 4-2 with a league-leading 53 saves, 86 strikeouts and a microscopic 1.48 ERA. With these statistics Hoffman easily won another TSN Fireman of the Year Award while also winning the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.

In 1999 Hoffman had 40 saves and a 2.14 ERA. In 2000 Hoffman had 43 saves, 85 strikeouts and a 2.99 ERA. In 2001 Hoffman again recorded 43 saves along with a 3.43 ERA. In 2002 Hoffman had 38 saves and a 2.73 ERA. During the 2002 regular season Hoffman would break Dennis Eckersley’s record for the most saves with a single team once he recorded his 321st career save. However, 2003 would be an off year for Hoffman as he would take the time to heal from multiple shoulder surgeries that he underwent in the past offseason.

Hoffman came back strong in 2004 as he went 3-3 with 41 saves and a 2.30 ERA. In 2005 Hoffman had 43 saves and a 2.97 ERA. Hoffman would be named National League Pitcher of the Month on in May 2005. 2006 proved to be an amazing year for Trevor Hoffman as he would have a league-leading 46 saves and a 2.14 ERA, winning the TSN Reliever of the Year Award for the third time in his career. He would also win another NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and be named the Delivery Man of the Month in the month of May.

2007 was a milestone year for Hoffman as he had 42 saves and a 2.98 ERA. On June 6 Hoffman would make history as he recorded his 500th career save, becoming the first closer to achieve such a feat. This memorable save came against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the Padres beat the Dodgers 5-2. Little did any baseball fan know it at the time, but 2008 would be the final year of Trevor Hoffman’s career in San Diego. In 2008 Hoffman had 30 saves and a 3.77 ERA.

On January 13, 2009 the Milwaukee Brewers took a chance on the experienced Hoffman by signing him to a 1-year contract for $6 Million. In the month of May Hoffman would once again be named Delivery Man of the Month while also being named NL Pitcher of the Month by recording 11 saves in May alone. In 2009 Hoffman went 3-2 with 37 saves and a small 1.83 ERA. However, 2010 would officially be the final year of a storied career as Trevor Hoffman had 10 saves. On September 6 he would record his 600th career save and be carried off the field by Brewer teammates in celebration.

Elbow tendinitis hindered much of what Hoffman could do on the mound in 2010 as he lost zip on his changeup. Hoffman would officially announce his retirement from the game of baseball on January 11, 2011. When he retired his 601 saves had him as the all-time saves leader in MLB history. The San Diego Padres would honor Hoffman’s 18-year career by retiring his #51 jersey on August 21, 2011, a date that would be declared “Trevor Hoffman Day” by then San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. 3 years later on August 30, 2014 the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame welcomed Hoffman in as their 9th inductee.

Making the MLB All-Star Game from 1998 to 2000 and in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2009, Trevor Hoffman will be known for much more than just recording saves. How he carried himself both on and off the field of play is very noteworthy. Having a high leg kick in his pitching windup, Hoffman often had an ice cold stare at opposing batters as his cap was pulled down, close to his eyes. His changeup was one of the most deceptive off-speed pitches in modern baseball history.

Hoffman will also be known for his great work ethic as he was the first one to show up at the ballpark, and was the last one to leave. Hoffman was also known for being an exceptional teammate as he wanted his teams to feel tightly knit like a family. Serving as a great role model to baseball fans, Trevor Hoffman would be given the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 2006 for exhibiting great character and integrity.