Trevor Hoffman
No other player got closer to getting the nod into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year than Trevor Hoffman. The closer, who is second all-time in saves behind the great Mariano Rivera, finished his career with 601.
A model of consistency, Hoffman collected at least 30 saves in 14 years. He was named to the All-Star team seven times, was a two-time saves leader and one of the most recognizable players ever to don a San Diego Padres jersey.
The knock on Hoffman has always been his inefficiency in the post-season where he has a 1-2 record and only four converted saves. That can be seen as more of an indictment on his teams than on Hoffman.
One can only imagine that Hoffman will be an inductee as earlier as next year, where he will only need to improve his vote total by five to be enshrined.
Hall of Fame Moment: On Sep. 24, 2006, Trevor Hoffman passed all-time saves leader, Lee Smith, with save number 479 in a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
