It's a nice number, but it's unlikely to stand as the record for long and I wonder how long people will give it consideration once Rivera moves past him. Hoffman is a guy with the second-best ERA of any active pitcher, and is seventh all-time in H/9, K/BB and WHIP.
I just wonder if anyone is going to realize how dominant he was for a long time, or if that will be forgotten. Kind of like how too many people don't realize how great Hank Aaron was, well beyond the home run record. What do you think?
The Mick 72010-09-08T12:38:31Z
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Those that follow the game and have for most of their lives will certainly understand individual greatness will shine through regardless of a teams overall success. I heard Hoffman's remarks after the game and it was very classy. I did not take direct credit, rather spoke in terms of "team success". I personally may not totally agree with him but it was nice to hear him say it nonetheless.
Appreciation for what he has done will inevitably be broken down by degree of fan dedication to the sport. The average "passing" fan, who mainly concentrates on his or her team only when its doing well, will never know or understand the significance of Hoffman's achievement. Perhaps 80 to 90 percent of fans fall into that category. The other 20% will be the ones talking about this HOFer in the next 10 to 15 years. It's kind of like trying to explain to the younger fan about Rocky Colavito and the incredible throwing arm he had. Even today many "fans" still consider Colavito as having one of the 10 greatest arms in baseball history. Yes, I can hear it now, "Rocky Who"?????
It just makes you wonder how dominate other relievers like Hoyt Wilhelm - 2.52 ERA 598 SO-Save Opportunities 227 Saves 2254.1 IP-Innings pitched 1610 K-strike outs, Rollie Fingers - 2.90 ERA 907 SO 341 S 1701.1 IP 1299 K, Goose Gossage - 3.01 ERA 956 SO 310 S 1,556â IP 1,502 K, Jeff Reardon 3.16 ERA 880 SO 367 S 1132.1 IP 877 K, Bruce Sutter 2.83 ERA 661 SO 300 S 1042.0 IP 861 K Etc... would have been. If they had specialized in the relief appearances they do today. Some relievers of today don't pitch if the team is down by too many runs, back then they pitched as needed. Some relievers today might only pitch to 1 or 2 batters. Don't get me wrong Trevor Hoffman's numbers aren't bad 2.87 ERA 1032 SO 600 S 1086.1 IP 1132 K.
What if Rivera passes Hoffman? Hank Aaron has more home runs than Babe Ruth, yet people will ALWAYS remember Ruth.
I don't want to go in the stats, but fifty years from now, I'll bet people wont remember Hoffman for being seventh all time in H/9, K/BB and WHIP. They will remember him for being lights-out when his team needed him.
well he did get 600 saves with teams that were not major contenders which is a feat in and of itself and it is 600/ 676 save opportunities so the percentage is good. He is the first to get to 600. The one chasing him is great but he has also been on some great teams. There are the stats you have mentioned as well so Hoffman will be remembered for his 600 saves or he should be.
It's not a given that Rivera will pass him. You are looking at at least 2 seasons more for Rivera. No guarantee he doesn't blow out his arm or all of a sudden lose "IT" like Hoffman did this year.