Trevor Hoffman: San Diego Padres’ most hidden gem

Trevor Hoffman’s postseason stats were adequate –1-2/3.86 ERA/1.23 WHIP, but nowhere near as stout as Rivera’s. Granted, Hoffman did have a smaller sample size than the Yankee.

In 1998, Hoffman was just the fourth MLB reliever to close out 50 saves (53) and an unreal 1.48 ERA, tying the National League single-season saves record by Randy Meyers.

Opponents had a .165 batting average against Hoffman, and his ERA in save situations was a microscopic 0.49.

He also K’d 10.6 hitters per nine innings, where the San Diego Padres were also 62–4 in games that he pitched that elite season.

Somehow, Hoffman finished second in the National League Cy Young Award votes, runner-up to Hall of Famer Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves.

Hoffman received 13 first-place votes, with Glavine securing only 11 of those elections, with the Padre somehow being absent from six ballots, costing him the award.

If Hoffman were a Yankee or part of a sexy, brand name MLB team, he would have won the 1998 Cy Young award. Easily. His omission from that honor is a travesty and almost as much of a black-eye as the “Steroid Era.”

Hoffman also did not remain a San Diego Padre his entire career, like Mariano Rivera did with the New York Yankees.

So, the edge of all-time greats easily goes to Rivera, but Hoffman was closer to the Yankees’ greatness than most people believe.

Trevor Hoffman is definitely the second greatest of all-time at the back-end of the bullpen, where he deserves to be a shoe-in and first ballot HOF player. Naturally, Hoffman has now been on the ballot twice and overlooked.

Since he played in San Diego, it may take the “committee” a while to wise up. Hopefully, a third time is a charm for Trevor Hoffman.