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Trevor Hoffman: Hall-Of-Famer?

Longtime MLB closer Trevor Hoffman is taking his record 601 saves and calling it a career. Hoffman, who is expected to formally announce his retirement today, might not keep that record for long, though, since Mariano Rivera is trailing by only 42 saves.

It means that Hoffman “will be first or second all time in saves when he goes into Cooperstown, presumably five years from now,” says NBC Sports’ Aaron Gleeman. But that’s not such a lock – only five relievers have ever been elected, and former career saves leader Lee Smith’s struggle for votes is well-documented. Still, has Hoffman’s long, steady career earned him a ticket into Cooperstown in 2015?

He’s earned his place: Even though “we’re still not sure how to handle closers,” says Danny Knobler at CBS Sports, “I’m guessing he gets in, perhaps even on the first ballot.” Who cares if he didn’t dominate an era – “He was consistent. Year after year, he was considered one of the best closers in the National League, one of the best in baseball.” He plans to vote for him.

Let’s honor the man: “Hoffman’s modesty could be counted upon, in the same way he could be counted upon in the closer’s role,” says Mike Bauman at MLB.com. When the Brewers opted to demote him to a set-up man, “Hoffman handled the demotion with typical class and continued to work.” He should be remembered not only as a closer, but also as a “perpetually a terrific teammate” and “a fine role model for younger players.” He epitomizes that “rare and valuable combination of success as both a pitcher and a human being.”

Is that reason enough? Yes, he’s well-liked, says The Flagrant Fan at Yardbarker.com, but let’s face the facts: We “so often” mock “how little a save actually means. So then, what does Hoffman’s career mean?” There’s “precedent” here to say he doesn’t get in because so few closers have. And while Hoffman was great, “Billy Wagner might have been better.” Let’s hope that “someday some sabermetrician will figure out how to properly value closers” so we can settle this debate once and for all. Until then, you can make the case that “Hoffman’s exploits were either overrated or under appreciated.” That’s not very conclusive.

Our recognition is long overdue: He’s not a “prototypical closer,” but Hoffman was a smart pitcher, says Joe Lemire at Sports Illustrated. He “took advantage” of hitters’ “over-eagerness with the deception of his changeup.” Playing on the West Coast much of his career “may have kept Hoffman’s profile lower than it should have been,” as did the Padres’ disappointing win totals during years when Hoffman performed well. This is how we can make it up to him, with “an admiring chorus for a slow and steady career that ought to have won him a ticket to Cooperstown.”

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