Hoffman is Fun To Watch!

[bork]

It hasn't been this fun to watch a closer come in and slam the door since Rollie.

[NYChez]

It hasn't been this fun to watch a closer come in and slam the door since Rollie.

Doug Jones had an entire season in the mid '90's resembling Hoffman's start, and the crowd was really into it (except the crowd was about half the size and if I recall right, his entrance music was Lawrence Welk instead of AC/DC). I think he was 45 for 46 in save situations, and most of the time it was about a 7-pitch inning. Uecker said Jones had 3 pitches: slow, slower, and slowest.

[pretendastronaut]

MLB Network said tonight this was Hoffman's best start to a season in his career.

[And That]

I have my doubts that Hoffman will spend more than one season in Milwaukee. Since the Padres' ownership situation has been more or less resolved, it seems likely they would do what it takes to make amends and get him back there to finish his career in a San Diego uniform.

[naivin]

Doug Jones came to mind for me as well. That guy was also a blast to watch.

 

I will repeat that they really need to fix the intro. That Rob Edwards intro before the bells start ringing, really sucks the life out of it. Send your cards and emails today!

[Invader3K]

This brings up an interesting point. I wonder how Padres fans are feeling, knowing their team chased off a future Hall of Famer who is having a dominate start to the season thus far?

[Teatoe993]

Took my buddy to the game on Weds. He hadn't witnessed Hoffman's entrance before. He says to me during the middle of it, "This is louder than when I saw Springsteen play here a couple years ago."

[Baldkin]

They really need to not-announce his name before they play Hells Bells.

 

They should just play it, then say "Now Pitching, number 51, Trevor Hoffman" as he's done warming up on the field.

[TheCrew]

This brings up an interesting point. I wonder how Padres fans are feeling, knowing their team chased off a future Hall of Famer who is having a dominate start to the season thus far?

It's probably tough from a sentimental standpoint - but Heath Bell is a darn good closer, he's perfect this season so far with a 0.00 era and 16 k's in 12.2 innings of work.

[pmg4]

Doug Jones is all I can think of, too. Does anyone remember that he switched leagues when he came to the Brewers? A big deal was made about how he was hittable, but had the advantage of unfamiliarity. It was the most exciting full season of closing I have ever personally watched.

 

Does anyone remember his following season? He got killed. I don't know if we want Hoff next year. This is the extent of my damaged positivity gland, due to thousands of hopes flung violently against it over the past 15 years.

[BrewCrewForever]

There is not much more of a better feeling in baseball then knowing when your closer comes in he is not going to give guys free passes and is going to pound the strike zone and try to get 3 outs very quickly. Love Hoffman, first time in awhile I have had complete confidence in a Brewers closer. Not since first half CoCo in 2007.

[naivin]

They really need to not-announce his name before they play Hells Bells.

 

They should just play it, then say "Now Pitching, number 51, Trevor Hoffman" as he's done warming up on the field.

You got it. Not sure why they can't figure that out because I think they are really screwing it up. Should I care? Ehh. Then again. TH thought enough to say something about the volume, so maybe I should. Therefore, I would urge anyone who cares to go ahead and send an email. The Attansio Brewers have definitely demonstrated they care what the fans think.

[BrewCrewForever]

Yeah they need to start playing the song like right as he throws his last warm up pitch in the pen. Playing it after he walks out of the bullpen door is kind of lame.

[ILuvDaBush]

I keep wondering about Hoffman's future. He tried very hard to stay on the west coast, to no avail. The Dodgers' bullpen situation and, to a lesser extend, the Angels' situation precludes him from the LA area. I could see him going to the Giants (and doesn't he just scream Giant signing? He's in his 40's and is a future HoFer...sign him!). But much like going home with the hottest girl at the bar, you just have to enjoy the ride and forget that by tomorrow, you'll be but a byline on her STD call list.

[danzig6767]

Right now this whole bullpen is fun to watch. Hoffman makes it look easy. You do not worry about him walking a bunch of guys. DiFelice has been terrific. Stetter has done a good job with lefties and can stay in for a righty here and there. Villy is turning the corner in his last 5 outings. Coffey is great as long as he does not have to face a lefty. McClung is solid expect for the walks. Only Julio is a weak spot. That guy should never get in the game. I would rather have Chris Smith up or at least Swindle.

What i really like about our main three late innings guys (Hoffman/DeFelice/Coffey) is that they all throw strikes. Few things seem to trigger late inning rallies like walks do and all three of those guys don't get themselves in trouble by giving up free baserunners.

[JoeHova]

I didn't see anybody mention it anywhere, but Hoffman pitched his 1,000th inning last night. That's a nice round number, much like Kendall's 2000 hits, and it also qualifies Hoffman for the career leaderboards now. His 2.745 career ERA ranks 84th in major league history. His strikeouts per 9 innings pitched of 9.585 ranks 4th in baseball history, behind only Randy, Kerry Wood and Pedro, and just ahead of Nolan Ryan.

[Baldkin]

They got his enterance right tonight.

 

They didn't announce his name until he was almost done warming up.

 

Miller Park was rockin, and Trevor Hoffman is our newest rockstar.

[hawing]

Yep, I was going to post "Trevor Time WOAH SOLVDD." Not that Trevor Time was seriously flawed before.

 

As a bonus (I thought), the videoboard and ribbon board went black for a few seconds before they launched Hells Bells and the Trevor graphics. That helped.

[brains and braun]

Yeah. I think SD was nuts for letting Hoffman go. Isn't it worth the deal just to give people a reason to come to the park? Their loss is our gain. His greatness is obvious, even at the tail end of the career. And I can't wait to hear the crowd roar on Sunday if he comes in. Or in a big/late season game.

[valpocrewsader]

Yeah. I think SD was nuts for letting Hoffman go. Isn't it worth the deal just to give people a reason to come to the park? Their loss is our gain.

Hey, they have TGJ now ... and Heath Bell is 14 for 14 in save opportunities, has a 0.46 ERA, and is giving up less than 1 walk or hit per IP.

[brains and braun]

That's true about Bell. I was thinking purely from a PR/marketing standpoint. I wonder how long their love affair with TGJ will last?

[Invader3K]

Great win last night, and Hell's Bells was fully rocking. The Brewers are pretty fortunate to have him on their team right now.

[naivin]

They got his enterance right tonight.

 

They didn't announce his name until he was almost done warming up.

I will assume that emails/complaints worked. I know I sent one, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one. As per ususal with the Attanasio Brewers, the fans speak, and the Brewers respond.

[hawing]

The suggestion made WTMJ as well. I stumbled across that earlier this month (can't say I regularly check their website) and figured that between that post and fan comments, the Brewers would likely get the message.

 

It's a heck of a treat, having Hoffman and his entrance in Miller Park this year. I'm going to try not to get jaded about it.

[valpocrewsader]

Didn't think about it 'til now, but pretty coincidental that SD went from Hell's Bells to Heath Bell.