Background: With apologies to Marv Marinovich, legends are not byproducts of granola and dumbbells. Beyond talent, there is often an odd twist, whether it’s Michael Jordan getting cut from his high school team or Babe Ruth landing in a boys home or Joe Montana riding the bench briefly at Notre Dame. Trevor Hoffman was a failed minor-league infielder who became a pitcher, and, even after wrecking his shoulder diving on the beach, evolved into baseball’s all-time saves leader.
What’s up: Hoffman eclipsed Lee Smith’s record of 478 saves last week. The achievement was greeted nationally with indifference, a cute shrug of the shoulders. That’s because closers, like designated hitters, are generally viewed suspiciously, as somehow artificial creations. It doesn’t help that Hoffman passed Smith, who doesn’t fit the profile of greatness, spending his career bouncing around to several teams with no career-defining postseason moment. Hoffman deserves better. Outside of Mariano Rivera, no one has been more consistent, more dominant. Plus, his brilliance came from a changeup, which runs against every fiber in a closer’s body given the adrenaline of the role.
What’s next: If the Padres’ pedestrian lineup can get leads, it’s a good bet the bullpen can protect them. The chain-link fence of Cla Meredith-Scott Linebrink and Hoffman compares favorably to anyone in the postseason. Hoffman has a 3.75 postseason ERA, but has only converted 3-of-6 save opportunities.
Renck’s take: Hoffman’s brilliance can be explained by one word: differential. He only hits around 85 mph on his fastball, but there’s still a 12-mph variance off his changeup. Former Rockies catcher Jeff Reed described the devastating weapon this way: “It’s a Bugs Bunny pitch.” By that he meant it stopped as if in a cartoon. Rare is the athlete who inspires awe and admiration from their peers. Hitters admit to getting goosebumps when Hoffman trots onto the field to AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells.” Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez said watching Hoffman break the record was the most unbelievable thing he’s witnessed in baseball. A long playoff run would be a fitting closing argument to Hoffman’s terrific season.
