100 Things Brewers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die by Jim Gantner

Author:Jim Gantner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triumph Books
Published: 2013-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

48. A Closer’s Saving Grace

The 2010 season quickly became a disappointing one for Trevor Hoffman. Unlike the previous year, the veteran closer’s first with the Brewers, Hoffman struggled in the early weeks. After the 42-year-old change-up specialist blew five of his first 10 save chances, Brewers manager Ken Macha switched to John Axford, a relatively untested but hard-throwing right-hander who quickly took to the closer role.

Without complaint, Hoffman became a set-up guy in the bullpen. But a huge banner on the concourse level of Miller Park constantly reminded Hoffman of his exile. It counted up to career save No. 600, a plateau that no Major League Baseball reliever had reached. With Hoffman no longer closing games, that banner remained stuck on No. 596 for weeks on end.

“It tested me in a lot of different areas, a lot of different ways,” said Hoffman, who signed with the Brewers before the 2009 season when the San Diego Padres decided he no longer fit their plans.

But Hoffman kept working and got his game back together. Though he never used his health as an excuse for those early-season failures, a cortisone injection at the All-Star break did wonders for an ailing elbow. True to his classy nature, Hoffman held no grudges for being shuttled into second-banana status in the pen. To the contrary, he served as mentor to Axford, offering advice and support.

With Hoffman throwing the ball well again, Macha became more comfortable with the idea of using him to finish select games. “His work ethic and perseverance paid off,” Macha said. “He had to grind it out to get there.” The manager began looking for openings for Hoffman, who held up his end by converting saves 597, 598, and 599, putting him on the brink of that magic plateau.

On September 7, the Brewers took the field at Miller Park to play their National League Central rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. As is always the case regarding relief pitchers, there was no way to know ahead of time who would be needed and if a save situation would arise.

With the Brewers ahead 4–2 in the eighth inning, Macha and pitching coach Rick Peterson opted to use Axford, and he escaped a two-on, two-out jam by striking out Yadier Molina. If the save situation remained intact, the ninth would go to Hoffman.

By the time the bullpen door swung open and Hoffman emerged to his familiar AC/DC heavy-metal tune “Hells Bells” blaring over the sound system, the crowd of 33,149 was already on its feet. Colby Rasmus led off with a bloop hit, but pinch-hitter Randy Winn grounded into a double play. The decibel level in the stands soared as Hoffman faced another pinch-hitter, Aaron Miles.

Miles hit a routine grounder to shortstop Craig Counsell, the sure-handed Milwaukee native, who threw over to first, putting save No. 600 in the books. Hoffman immediately was mobbed by teammates in front of the mound and was carried off in triumph. Asked to explain how he persevered and made it to 600 saves, Hoffman said, “If you love the game, it’s going to love you back.

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