Trevor Hoffman: From Cypress to Cooperstown, 2018 National Baseball Hall of Famer
Former Cypress College baseball standout, Trevor Hoffman, who went on to have an outstanding 18-year career in the Major League, was announced as a member of the 2018 National Baseball Hall of Fame class on Wednesday’s MLB Network broadcast.
By Wes McCurtis
Former Cypress College baseball standout, Trevor Hoffman, who went on to have an outstanding 18-year career in the Major Leagues, was announced as a member of the 2018 National Baseball Hall of Fame class during Wednesday's MLB Network broadcast.
Hoffman earned 79.9 percent of the vote from the National Baseball Writers Association of America in his third year on the Ballot, becoming the first member of the storied Cypress baseball program to be enshrined in Cooperstown. The 2018 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m. ET at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, NY.
"He was a Hall of Fame guy on and off the field," said Coach Scott Pickler. "Hoffman is one of the hardest workers I have ever been around. Unfortunately, I was not smart enough to pitch him, he played shortstop for us at Cypress, but very few guys have the ability and work ethic to move on and reinvent themselves like that. I am really happy for him."
Hoffman began his journey to baseball superstardom as a shortstop at Savanna High School in Anaheim, CA. He decided to develop his game as a Cypress College student-athlete under Head Coach Scott Pickler. Hoffman played for the Chargers from 1985-1986, before transferring to play at the University of Arizona. After a successful college career, the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 11th round of the 1989 MLB Draft and the rest is history.
"Obviously the numbers say he is a Hall of Famer," said Cypress Athletics Director Bill Pinkham. "Everyone I have ever spoken with who has played with him talked about what a great teammate and human being he was."
Official Trevor Hoffman Hall of Fame bio:
"Pitched 18 seasons for Marlins, Padres and Brewers…Ranks second in ML history in saves (601), and was the first pitcher to reach both 500- and 600-save milestones…Also ranks second all-time in games finished (856) and 11th all-time in games pitched (1,035)…Named National League Fireman of the Year by the Sporting News in 1996 and 1998…Won the NL Rolaids Relief Award in 1998 and 2006…Finished in Top 10 of NL Cy Young Award voting four times: 1996 (5th), 1998 (2nd), 1999 (6th), 2006 (2nd)….Finished in Top 10 of NL MVP voting twice (1997-7th, 2006-10th)…Also won 2004 Hutch, 2006 Lou Gehrig Memorial and 2008 Branch Rickey Awards…Seven-time All-Star (1998-2000, 2002, 2006-07, 2009)…Led NL in saves twice (1998, 2006)…Recorded 53 saves in 1998, tied for fifth-highest single-season total in history, and also set ML record (since surpassed) with 41 consecutive converted save chances…Posted at least 30 saves in 14 of 15 consecutive seasons (1995-2002; 2004-2009)…Ranks second to Mariano Rivera in seasons with 20-plus saves (15) and 30-plus saves (14), and is tied with Rivera for most seasons with 40-plus saves (nine)….Ranks seventh among pitchers with 6.99 career hits-per-nine innings average…Also ranks ninth all-time in career walks plus hits per innings pitched (1.058) and 11th in strikeouts-per-nine innings (9.36)...MLB award for best NL reliever named in his honor…Holds Padres all-time team records for most saves (552), ERA (2.76) and games pitched (902)…Pitched in six career Postseason series with Padres, going 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 games…Earned a combined three saves and a win in the 1998 National League Division and Championship series while striking out 11 hitters in 7.1 innings…Member of Padres' 1998 NL Championship team." Via www.baseballhall.org
Please join Cypress College and the Athletics Department in congratulating Trevor Hoffman for reaching the pinnacle of achievement in professional sports.
For all National Baseball Hall of Fame news, updates, and announcements visit www.baseballhall.org.
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