Countdown to Trevor’s Ceremony: His Influence
My personal experience with Trevor Hoffman is a very special one. I’m sure that many Padres fans have stories about their interactions with Trevor, but I’m sure each one is very different. For me, I haven’t had the chance to talk to him or even introduce myself to him, but what I do have is very special to me in it’s own way.
One of my very first memories about the Padres was finding a picture of Trevor in the newspaper or something, and knowing that this was a special guy. I had to have been 6 or 7 at the time. I cut out that picture of Trevor and made it into a homemade baseball card. I didn’t really know his significance like I do now, but that’s something I’ve always had of Trevor’s.
Fast forward to 2007, freshman year of high school. My best friends and I went to a Padres game to celebrate my birthday. I always talk about this game because it was the day that I fell in love with Kevin Kouzmanoff, but I sometimes forget that it was also significant because of Trevor. After Kouz came up to us and gave us a baseball and autographs, we went into the park and walked around towards the first base side. There, we saw Trevor Hoffman himself, stretching during batting practice. We were sooo excited. We went closer to the Padres bullpen and when Trevor was done, he came by and signed autographs for all of us! It was amazing because he didn’t stay for long at all, but me and my three friends all got his autograph. It was sooo cool!!
I’ve said that the baseball he autographed might be the most valuable thing I own. It’s not often that you get the autograph of baseball’s All-Time Saves Leader!
I got to see Trevor Time for the one and only time on August 14, 2008. All I wanted that year was to see Trevor close a game live. The score was 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth, and I was really glad when we didn’t get any runs in that inning. I was SOOOO excited when “Hell’s Bells” started and Trevor ran out from the bullpen. It was the coolest thing. Trevor allowed a home run to former Padre Mike Cameron, but he got the save for a 3-2 win. It was amazing. I’m so glad that I got to see Trevor Time, even if it was only once.
I love Trevor. Like I said, I’ve never had the opportunity to actually meet him, but he’s been a great influence in my life. I loved having him as a Padre, and was literally devastated when he was let go from the Padres. That was the worst. But thankfully, he’s back and he’s forever a Padre ❤
One day and 22 hours until the ceremony!!!!!
Unfinished Business 