Trevor Hoffman

Trevor Hoffman was a dominant closer famed for his devastating changeup and long tenure as the Padres' all-time saves leader.

Trevor William Hoffman was born on October 13, 1967, in Bellflower, California, into a baseball family — his father, Ed, was a former Marine who became a beloved public address announcer and "Singing Usher" at California Angels games, while his older brother Glenn played nine seasons in the majors. At just six weeks old, Hoffman had a damaged kidney removed, a medical history that his father cited in banning him from pitching as a boy for fear of arm injury. Hoffman played shortstop at the University of Arizona and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1989, but a position switch to pitcher after struggling to hit professional pitching launched his career in an entirely new direction. He was selected by the expansion Florida Marlins in 1992 and traded to the San Diego Padres in 1993, beginning a 16-year association with the club that would define his legacy. Hoffman became one of the most feared closers in baseball history, his signature devastating changeup paired with a legendary entrance to AC/DC's "Hells Bells" that became one of the most intimidating sounds in the sport. He retired in 2010 with 601 career saves — the all-time MLB record at the time of his retirement, since surpassed only by Mariano Rivera. Hoffman earned seven All-Star selections and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, in his third year of eligibility. The Padres retired his No. 51, and he later returned to the organization as a pitching coordinator, helping develop the next generation of San Diego arms.

Devastating changeup, intimidating closer presence

One of the greatest closers in baseball history

• MLB career saves leader at retirement (601, now 2nd all-time)
• 7x All-Star
• Hall of Fame 2018