Living Bullpen legend Trevor Hoffman retires from Baseball
No one knew when it was going to happen, but now it’s been confirmed. The 43-year-old closer Trevor Hoffman has officially announced his retirement from the world of baseball. Known to many as one of the top players to ever grace the game, Hoffman will move
to San Diego to join the Padres in a front office role. Nicknamed the saves king, Hoffman will leave behind a legacy of amazing performances and experiences, which have not been realised by many players in the history of the game.
In a career that spanned 17 years, Trevor manufactured 601 saves in 1,035 game appearances. He’s won 61 and lost 75 games. His earning runs average was as high as 2.87, while his innings play was as high as 1089.1. Hoffman is regarded as one of the finest
closers by many analysts, not only because of his ability to restrict runs but also due to his strikeouts. The player has amassed 1,133 strikeouts in his career; that makes approximately one hitter per game appearance.
Hoffman, who didn’t end his 2008 campaign with the Padres on a good note, will now look to put the differences aside as he takes up his new position in the front office as a representative. Of his 601 saves tally, 552 came with San Diego.
He was able to play for the team between 1993 and 2008. It will be an amazing sight to see him back with the supporters that have long cheered him on in his career. The only difference now will be that he won’t represent the franchise on the field. Hoffman
talked about his fallout with the club in 2008 and its effects.
"I would say it's the old adage - that time was the real healer," said Hoffman. "Sometimes you have to take a step back. I understand that some of it is about baseball being a business, but I don't really want to rehash all that. There's been a turnover
of people there who wanted to reconcile and I've been cool with it. A couple of years definitely makes a big difference."
For now Hoffman is concentrating on the present. His focus will be on his new task and that will keep his mind in check.
"I'm comfortable that this is the way it's happening," Hoffman said. "I didn't know how it was really going to play out. I think my biggest fear was the future, a 'What's next' kind of thing. I think having something to do is really a blessing for me. Some
guys leave the game and they really don't know. But for me, having a commitment from the organisation I made my name with is pretty big."
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