[vincesanity82]

San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman picks up the telephone late at night in trainer Todd Hutcheson's office. The voice of his buddy, former Padres bullpen catcher Mark Merila, is tired and weary. It's difficult to make out the words, but Hoffman nods his head, telling him he loves him.
Hoffman hangs up and blinks away the tears.
"He tells me that getting to that 500th save is keeping him motivated," Hoffman says, softly, "but to be honest, he's my inspiration. I'm feeding off Mark's strength every day. We all are."
Merila, Hoffman's bullpen catcher for about 10 years, is undergoing extensive chemotherapy and experimental treatments every two weeks in San Diego for a brain tumor. The tumor has been shutting down the right side of his body. He struggles to walk. He has trouble seeing out of his right eye.
"It's such a struggle for him to stay up to watch our games on TV," Hoffman says, "but he does it. He's so beat he usually falls asleep at 7 when we're not at home. But he stays up, just to watch us, just to make that call.


Pal's inspiration pushes Hoffman toward 500 saves - USATODAY.com