Trevor Hoffman: All-Time Saves Leader

Trevor Hoffman: All-Time Saves Leader

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, eventually retiring as baseball’s all-time saves leader.

From the Draft to San Diego

With the 288th pick in the 11th round of the 1989 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected Trevor Hoffman, who signed for just $3,000. Hoffman worked his way through the minor leagues, experimenting with other positions such as third base. However, after often overthrowing the first baseman on ground balls, Hoffman quickly switched to pitching.

Hoffman would never pitch for the Reds, as he was left unprotected in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft and was taken by the Florida Marlins with the 8th overall pick. Hoffman recorded only 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 recorded 3 saves for the Padres in 1993.

The Padres Years: Building a Legacy

Rise to Dominance (1994–1998)

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 was the year Hoffman’s career took off, as he finally mastered 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, going 6-4 with 37 saves, 111 strikeouts, and a 2.66 ERA. His 37 saves ranked second 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, going 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.

Continued Excellence (1999–2008)

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 broke 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 took time to heal from multiple shoulder surgeries he had undergone the previous offseason.

Hoffman came back strong in 2004, going 3-3 with 41 saves and a 2.30 ERA. In 2005, Hoffman had 43 saves and a 2.97 ERA, and he was named National League Pitcher of the Month in May 2005. 2006 proved to be an amazing year for Trevor Hoffman, as he posted 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 also won another NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and was named Delivery Man of the Month in May.

2007 was a milestone year for Hoffman, as he recorded 42 saves and a 2.98 ERA. On June 6, Hoffman made history by recording 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.

Final Season with the Milwaukee Brewers

On January 13, 2009, the Milwaukee Brewers took a chance on the experienced Hoffman, signing him to a one-year, $6 million contract. In May, Hoffman was once again named Delivery Man of the Month while also being named NL Pitcher of the Month, recording 11 saves in May alone. In 2009, Hoffman went 3-2 with 37 saves and a sparkling 1.83 ERA. However, 2010 would officially be the final year of a storied career, as Hoffman recorded only 10 saves. On September 6, he recorded his 600th career save and was carried off the field by his Brewers 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 officially announced his retirement from baseball on January 11, 2011. When he retired, his 601 saves made him the all-time saves leader in MLB history.

Legacy and Recognition

Honors and Records

The San Diego Padres honored Hoffman’s 18-year career by retiring his No. 51 jersey on August 21, 2011, a date that then-San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders declared “Trevor Hoffman Day.” Three years later, on August 30, 2014, the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame welcomed Hoffman as their ninth inductee.

Hoffman made the MLB All-Star Game in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2009. Trevor Hoffman will be remembered as much more than a record-setting closer and all-time saves leader — how he carried himself both on and off the field was every bit as noteworthy.

Playing Style and Character

Hoffman had a high leg kick in his pitching windup and often gave opposing batters an ice-cold stare, his cap pulled down close to his eyes. His changeup was one of the most deceptive off-speed pitches in modern baseball history.

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