Hoffman Closes The Door On His Career

Hoffman back in the day.

Former Florida Marlin, Milwaukee Brewer and long-time San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman has decided to finally hang 'em up after 18 years in the Bigs. Hoffman is the all-time Major League saves leader with 601, had a 2.87 ERA and he was a seven-time all-star (six with SD and one with MIL). Somehow, he has never won a Cy Young.

Trevor got his start with the Florida Marlins after he was selected in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft. He was then traded to the San Diego Padres during the 1993 Padres fire-sale in which they traded Gary Sheffield and Rich Rodriguez. The only prospect the Padres got in return to have an impact was Hoffman.

When he broke into the Majors his heater was in the low to mid 90's and he used a tight curveball to keep batters off balance. As of last year, he was using a mid 80's fastball and his patented palmball/circle-change hybrid (in which he developed in the strike shortened 1994 season) to be successful.


When he came to Milwaukee in 2009, I was pretty ecstatic. We finally had a proven and set closer to begin a season for the first time in a long time. Then he went on the disabled list until the end of April. He made great first appearance by earning a save the second day off the DL. He would go on to have a great year with an ERA of 1.83 and 37 of 41 in save opportunities.

2010 was a different story however.

Hoffman really struggled to get anyone out in the beginning of the season. That had the Brewers stumbling out of the gate and, I think, ultimately derailing our season. He was only able to convert 3 of his first 7 save opportunities and just couldn't keep the ball in the yard. He then lost his closer role to journeyman/fan-favorite John Axford and his magic 'stache.

Despite Hoffman's early season struggles, he was able to finally get that coveted 600th save on September 7th, 2010, giving the fans in Milwaukee something to cheer about.

It's been real T-Hoff.

-Mitchy