[Lefty Noob]

Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres is now just one save away from tying Lee Smith's career record of 478. He could break the all-time record this weekend against the Pirates. What do you think of Hoffman, his career, and his seemingly inevitable achievement?

[MJHMarc]

Great career. One of the best closers of all-time next to my favorite, Mariano Rivera. Eric Gagne would've been up there too if he didn't get injured.

I can assure you that Hoffman will break the record in his career!

[ThePundit]

Hoffman has been a great regular season closer but has not performed well in the big game. He was terrible against the Yankees in the '98 series and blew the National League's save in this year's all star game to Michael Young and then Mariano came in and showed him how it's done.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres is now just one save away from tying Lee Smith's career record of 478. He could break the all-time record this weekend against the Pirates. What do you think of Hoffman, his career, and his seemingly inevitable achievement?

Hell's Bell boy is going for the record huh?...this is a record born of chances to the game...pitchers use ot take pride in a Complete Game...now its 100 pitches and a 'quality start"...I don't think much of Trevor or the record...get me Eck...get me Rollie Fingers ...get me Mike Marshall, Bruce Sutter or the Goose out there...I'd take them all over Trevor...

So...Hall of Famer or not?...its like Jeff Reardon...ton of saves...but jsut not Hall material

[MJHMarc]

I wonder why the Padres wanted to put him out there as a starter after he was a proven closer. The Dodgers switched Gagne in 2003 from a SP to a closer. Good move for the Dodgers and I don't think Hoffman's starting career ever worked out for San Diego.

[Lefty Noob]

Hoffman has tied the record, saving San Diego's 2-1 win over the Pirates yesterday for #478.
MLB - Pittsburgh Pirates/San Diego Padres Recap Saturday September 23, 2006 - Yahoo! Sports

[Lefty Noob]

And Hoffman has broken the record with his 479th career save, which came in San Diego's 2-1 win over Pittsburgh earlier today. According to the Associated Press, "The San Diego Padres' 38-year-old closer pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in front of a roaring crowd to become baseball's career saves leader... Hoffman had just enough time to pump his fist before catcher Josh Bard jumped into his arms. Hoffman was soon mobbed by his teammates."

Congrats to the new all-time Major League baseball saves leader, Trevor Hoffman.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Hell's Bell boy is going for the record huh?...this is a record born of chances to the game...pitchers use ot take pride in a Complete Game...now its 100 pitches and a 'quality start"...I don't think much of Trevor or the record...get me Eck...get me Rollie Fingers ...get me Mike Marshall, Bruce Sutter or the Goose out there...I'd take them all over Trevor...

So...Hall of Famer or not?...its like Jeff Reardon...ton of saves...but jsut not Hall material

You're right Gotham. The closers of 20 years ago used to get 2, 3 inning saves. If a guy like Sparky Lyle pitched today, he would have got about 50 saves a year.

[EmpireWF]

Congrats to Hoffman for being the new save king but he will likely be remembered for his questionable post-season and "big moments" save record. As Pundit pointed out, which I completely agree with. Afterall, he's a big reason why the NL won't have home field in the World Series

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Hoffman has been a great regular season closer but has not performed well in the big game. He was terrible against the Yankees in the '98 series and blew the National League's save in this year's all star game to Michael Young and then Mariano came in and showed him how it's done.