born october american baseball relief pitcher played years major_league_baseball mlb long time closer pitched florida san_diego_padres including years major leagues player reach save time saves leader currently serves senior advisor baseball operations played shortstop drafted 11th round cincinnati_reds having success batting converted pitcher able throw miles hour mph acquired expansion draft pitched florida traded mid season deal sent star recorded saves season closer following years face franchise retired collected saves year years missed year recovering shoulder surgery san_diego sign following season pitched years brewers retiring season selected star team seven times twice runner national_league young award given annually pitcher league retired mlb records save seasons fourteen save seasons including consecutive save seasons including streaks consecutive retired highest career rate entered majors powerful fastball injury season permanently fastball velocity forced pitching style subsequently developed best baseball entrance home games accompanied song bells popular fans eligible consideration induction starting retiring player returned special assistant office team pitching coordinator upper minor league levels included working general manager following year role expanded overseeing pitching instruction levels minors early life born california weeks old damaged kidney removed arterial formed father stood feet inches pounds marine veteran world war later professional singer quit road got job post office usher california angels games known singing usher leading crowd singing ball game seventh inning filling designated national anthem singer bring games mother came athletic family father professional soccer player world war taught responsibility bad blame tools older brother years older played shortstop boston_red_sox organization summer vacation years old joined playing oldest brother years senior mentor younger brothers game asked responded went double rbi replied time tell ask team forgot given age difference considered brothers role models guide drill instructor said damaged kidney allowed play football wrestle went pressure following talented older brother trust coaches protect arm stopped allowing son pitch years old standing feet inches pounds played shortstop offered scholarship high school grew inches summer continued playing later arizona afraid liability remaining kidney got hit baseball told kidney right faces pitcher hit bought said led arizona hitting batting average points better teammate notable teammates included exhibited strong throwing arm playing shortstop professional playing career minor leagues selected cincinnati_reds 11th round overall selection mlb draft signed prior draft reds scout talked playing position open advance career talked catching pitching exceptional arm ranked arm scale average rarity played shortstop base reds single affiliate charleston games batted runs batted showing batting potential converted pitcher suggestion charleston manager grew tired base threw miles hour recorded era strikeouts minor league innings seasons alternating relieving starting single double triple nashville major leagues left unprotected cincinnati mlb expansion draft selected eighth pick round major league season learned observing closer balanced demeanor earning saves appearances unknown rookie traded midseason san_diego_padres san_diego fire sale sent baseman pitcher pitching prospects general manager said time way acquire quality players quality year sheffield won batting title run triple crown smith insisted florida include deal fans upset trade appearances allowed runs inning debut san_diego runs blew save opportunity pitched games san_diego finished season losses ended rookie season strikeouts innings era saves strike shortened season took closer duties injured ineffective mid april recorded saves era averaging strikeouts innings pitched weekend strike began playing football near san_diego pass landed right shoulder later played landed shoulder going dig heard strange sound era saves averaged pitched hurt spring training season finally season surgery arm killing day guys wouldn said smith year developed pitched innings strikeouts averaged approximately saves eras entered games season los_angeles trailing division leading dodgers games recorded saves final games dodgers won west division title years finishing season straight saves named year received votes young award valuable player mvp award played swept series entered game score tied inherited runners second run scored retired batters faced lost game recorded loss came tie game allowed run homer loss following season june came bases loaded ninth inning struck save win san_francisco_giants career saves leader passing hall san_diego won games year ranked second saves season began entering save situations home games entrance music bells playing public address system event came known time tradition began july song chosen salesman crowd excited bells song showing running bullpen preserved win houston striking end game converted 41st consecutive save opportunity tying mlb record time following night streak ended home run ended winning game blown save regular season september saved victory new_york_mets 45th save breaking club record set won young award september clinched second division title years saved win dodgers win chicago_cubs september worked perfect ninth inning fourth mlb history reach save mark career high saves career best era saves tied single season record set cubs opponents batted hitters faced hit era save situations struck hitters innings games pitched runner young award race year atlanta braves despite receiving place votes left ballots pitchers receive place votes win young won relief man year award captured finished seventh mvp voting facing houston won series earned saves wins game atlanta national league championship series entered stop rally eighth inning lead allowed run ninth tying game converting save attempts regular season hit home run 10th got outs ran trouble taken throwing pitches credited win held entered game bases loaded eighth struck pitches end inning save victory san_diego series win reached world series lost series new_york_yankees finished mlb record combined regular season playoff victories best overall winning percentage world series champion appearance series game entered eighth runner outs lead later inning surrendered run homer eventual world series mvp lost game signed million contract extension san_diego march seasons time richest contract given relief pitcher held option million contract included trade clause granted following world series appearance lost key players begin season finished season finishing fourth fifth team west year saved team wins span set mlb records fifth overall fourth consecutive save season seventh consecutive save campaign extended mlb record eighth straight save season named star game june struck ninth inning victory career save august recorded save home win broke record saves team sports_illustrated placed cover issue headline secret san diego best closer sat season recovering offseason shoulder including trimmed tip marked time disabled list major league seasons absence closed pitched game september perfect seventh inning win arizona pitched games non save situations era strikeouts innings coming injury bought million option million agreed new deal million salary including incentives option inaugural season new home park returned closer role finished saves era lowest passed end season time saves list new park provide upgrade stadium time state art sound system new enhanced visuals allowing animated flames live fan shots saved win won straight time save pitcher mlb history reach milestone following named month delivery man month perfect save opportunities posting era games went best month franchise history august converted 29th consecutive save opportunity win passed franco second place time saves list save maintained game lead west record won west record finished season save opportunities second saves swept playoffs cardinals majors best record regular season save situations led innings series free agent season signed negotiating cleveland_indians signed million year contract included club option came making decision family disrupting going said probably significant signing said general manager guy face organization words means community named fifth star game losing pitcher game having strikes outs later named star performance bothered suffered blown saves year week followed august marked outing breaking major league record relief appearances club september home game year retired eventual batting champion final win pittsburgh_pirates keeping game lead atop west seven games left play save time major_league saves leader surpassing record celebrated mound pirates remained watching respectful salute seen crowd inning guy like said pirates team presented golden bell trophy reference bells saved win september clinched playoff berth day regular season game home runs hit saved win earning second consecutive west title named mlb delivery man month september save opportunities striking batters innings allowing seven hits saved save chances year led saves second time 11th save season set mlb record eighth save season extended record season save total second highest career won relief award second time career awarded sporting news year time finished runner young award second time playoffs faced cardinals series saved game win avoid elimination lost series offense managed runs games eventual world series champions april win dodgers earned save pitched game breaking mlb record games pitched team record previously held face pittsburgh pirates june dodgers pitcher mlb history log saves victory awarded mlb delivery man month converting save opportunities allowing earned runs games july named star team sixth time career september struck swinging mph change career eighth reach mark september picked 40th save season marking ninth season saves major_league record september strike away consecutive playoff berth surrendered tying triple ninth inning son legendary hall lose 11th inning milwaukee brewers october wild card tie breaker game blew second straight save opportunity team lead 13th inning took loss allowed game winning run score sacrifice fly season converted saves opportunities posting mark era saves couple weeks end season minor surgery pitching elbow remove bone chips said unrelated pitching performance end season surrendered home run recorded save august victory brewers september finished inning win career mlb game 30th save season win pirates ensured lose games season finished record projected team analysts win games ended season era save opportunities tied sixth saves reached saves 14th time set new mlb record era appearances era appearances season eligible free agency realized decreasing leverage declared wanted return play san_diego want family owner midst divorce process selling team ordered team reduce payroll budget million million announced november return san_diego struggles season cost cutting million offer option later retracted ending tenure team parting face franchise retirement following season career appearances extended mlb record games pitched team january signed year million deal suffered strained muscle right rib cage spring training started season brewers debut april recorded save milwaukee day brewers continued time entrance named month mlb delivery man month recording saves scoreless appearances month started season scoreless innings entering tie game june surrendering run loss chicago_white_sox selected star late replacement making seventh appearance september struck pitches 30th save win save extended record seasons saves increased record saves appeared games brewers recording saves attempts era second lowest era career san_diego ranked fifth saves offseason signed brewers million mutual option season control struggled april pitched innings allowed earned runs home runs surpassing totals categories previous season blew seven save opportunities historically blown save attempts april career percent success rate converting percent rest season earned save park visitor brewers beat saving chances era mid struggles prompted brewers manager remove closer middle relief work mechanics insisted physically wrong served mentor replacement stuck career saves eventually returned setup role occasionally pitched save situations september recorded save carried field teammates great admiration said teammate finished season win win loss record saves chances era appearances allowed earned runs final appearances dating june brewers parted ways november club declined exercise million mutual option contract retirement offseason expressed interest taking closer role team near home san_diego wish return setup pitcher diminish accomplishments old friend general manager considered backup option closer managed sign believed pitch big leagues closer roles west_coast teams filled elected retire announcing decision january revealed elbow plagued half excuse performance received year brewers retired saves time saves leader mlb history desire sign ceremonial day player contract retire don believe right way retire said retired park pre game ceremony august florida san_diego mayor declared day ceremony patterned life featuring teammates coaches lead singer bells paid tribute video rocking mound nod late father presented mint condition father loved driving family played video singing star banner park opening day brother starting shortstop august ninth player profile pitching style known high leg kick menacing cap pulled eyes came league throw mph throw occasional original conventional circle taught cincinnati scout learned different throws grip teammate began new fastball dropped mph offseason injury beach decrease velocity knew rely fastball played surgery following offseason torn returned following year fastball mph experience new fastball reached high mph dropped mph repertoire included primarily fastball slower cut fastball moves left handed batter occasional explained key ball thumb index finger released threw arm speed throw fastball spin movement ball looked batter ranged mph managed decade said pitched fastball opponents couldn sit pitch sitting successful says player arm action change late sink reached plate allowed stay successful years opponents slow swings teammates nicknamed famous cartoon episode pitchers fool guys said rival later teammate mike striking end game catcher said like parachute lost velocity fastball career compensated maintaining notable speed differential pitch initially kept grip secret little weird said didn like talking threw change didn want people ball thought giving away hitters later career posed pictures grip seen work ethic general manager said everyday adhered daily conditioning program pitcher promoted majors invited join usual afternoon run remember sitting bullpen night legs run recalled run pace thinking hope don feel legs work ethic unbelievable said guys like feel like arrived tony thought hitting content way working sure got goals want reach save opportunity converted blew sit minutes teammates cleared success sting failure sit drain emotion game said order foundation field win lose doesn smile doesn emotion manager daily preparation job focus dedication day prepare ninth inning incredible live said black played hall great worker took level commitment hall_of_fame caliber resurrected final season recorded save said work ethic paid grind character long regarded great teammates baseball known leader tutor younger players successor san_diego pitcher supplanted milwaukee watching business big thing bell said game pitching setup losing closer role stayed watch finish retire removed game teammates noticed stayed supporting bases loaded jam spent season absorbing advice took young players wing especially relief pitchers said teammate regularly organized team road team family gatherings home brewers unusual pitcher especially relief pitcher team leader baseman said everybody looks team according wanted teams feel like family felt like let family job particular night accessible held rare occasions failed interviews blown saves successful ones people asking questions responsible ball flying park explained towers black best remember blown save tie breaker greatest memory game seeing passion love teammates devastation loss handling reporter question class ranks greatest sports memory handled incredible loss says save life handle demonstrated night remarkable baseball people treats people says goes way engage fans shaking hands signing extended conversations fans want talk baseball passed indians free agency stay sent jersey baby gift indians manager saved game clinch west day season called traded moving detroit_tigers wish said celebrating record setting save pirates tipped cap pittsburgh particularly pirates manager managed cincinnati double farm team converted pitcher despite losing role closer final season took pleasure supporting teammates cancer having trouble legacy dominated position consistent level enjoying incredible longevity decades year career seven time star retired mlb time leader saves pitcher reach save milestone converted percent save opportunities highest rate players saves called best national_league closer era pitchers streaks straight seasons saves achieved twice seasons saves tied time year stint closer rare baseball role exhibited high turnover rate seasons saves seasons era era indicating percent better league average era years times voting young award including twice runner pitchers debut ranked lowest opponents batting average facing retired ranked games finished ninth games pitched seventh lowest hits innings seventh best walk ratio era walks plus hits inning pitched whip career power pitcher pitcher fifth highest mlb history highest sports journalist wrote baseball thinking man closer heat velocity fastball decreased compensated devastating synonymous pitch cutter tough situation throwing change ninth inning got closer said guys dominating star said dominating weapon usually word use retired closer amazed got better lost velocity fastball don think lose ability throw best tremendous respect said retired closer concurred difficulty transforming power pitching style easy guys throw mph ego able went right hey know throw got goes gets unique sense closing usually power pitcher game change isn great dominating puts things perspective pitching throwing stuff throws pitch looks lay feel vulnerable throw mph throwing confidence time held career record saves considered rivera best closer time like era compared rivera success playoffs regular season saves playoffs espn wrote retirement announcement everybody team deliver october save opportunity protect different times postseason save postseason save years playoffs times span took single lead blow save opportunity world series appearance failed save tries twice final days season playoffs covered new_york_yankees years believes yankees successful instead rivera played rivera said rivera better postseason record yankees postseason opportunities way best game best west best east rivera broke career save record major_league_baseball introduced year award awarded annually eligible induction starting debut fell short percent votes required entry percent received year promising possible induction future career reached ballot inducted time saves leader years surpassed inducted years ballot espn says discussion deficiencies postseason star games small samples compared incredible body work years wrote rivera best best inning percent saves inning criticized pitching exclusively ninth inning runners base star previously called entering games middle innings runners base capable pitching multiple innings saves arguably gave way proposed saves let induction invited career saves accumulated saves played successful teams tenure san_diego won games twice losing seasons including wins hall fame voter said don think save looking guy closer decade real important game rivera best past decade opponents induction including yahoo sports maintain limited innings impact compared starting pitchers inducted writer starters excelled succeeded starter pitched innings career tops pitchers inducted hall_of_fame entrance games accompanied playing bells popular fans introduced sports_illustrated wrote signature moment electrically charged sports fans rising fashion hearing bell toll like enters slowly stage right opposing closer said san_diego like want win hear initial introduction entrance music forerunner heavy metal closer theme songs home initially noted entrance suited world_wrestling_federation national end career wrote song honored teams contacted videos time production yankees executives witnessing entrance inspired use song enter rivera entrance starting following season accomplishments awards honors active records statistics season records mlb rankings saves career 2nd lowest career 7th career 7th games pitched career 9th post playing career coinciding retirement playing returned san_diego special assistant team president turnover people office wanted reconcile cool couple years definitely makes big difference said addition office role served instructor spring training san_diego upper level pitching coordinator essentially additional pitching coach double triple levels new role involved assisting san_diego general manager general manager senior advisor baseball operations overseeing pitching instruction levels minor league system personal life met wife tracy buffalo new_york real estate agent member national_football_league squad asked marry field super bowl lost dallas sons quinn father died cancer super bowl sunday donated save honor father marine annually paid game tickets meals members military families
Trevor Hoffman