Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader with 602, decided today to hang up his shoes and uniform. Last year, he posted an all-time low in saves since his rookie year, and the year when he was injured. The 43-year-old knew it was time to retire. Hoffman will join the front office of the team he played for for 16 years, the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, across the country a Panaman is smiling. Mariano Rivera, at 41, will have a couple more years to earn 43 or more saves; to tie or win, in other words. Mr. Rivera, although regarded as the best closer of all time, has a total of 38 saves per 162 games, while his opponent Hoffman earned 39 in his long tenure. Another nemesis, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, has already garnered 188 saves in five seasons as a closer, as he also has 38 saves. Being a Red Sox fan, I hope Pap can outscore Mo, but given the stats, I sincerely doubt it. However, it is true that the two can at least be compared, with the saves per 162 games and ERA, where Jon edges Mariano 2.22 to 2.23. True, Pap will need to work more to earn his worth, but he can at least hold his own. However, I think we can agree that Trevor Hoffman overshadows both.
Trivia
Hoffman, in his second league-leading save season, was 0-2 and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.
Hoffman's older brother Glenn played for Boston for eight years.
Rivera's cousin Ruben played for both the Yankees and Padres, so he might be able to tell us who was better.
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