Padres enhance the ex-star pitcher’s role
Johnny McDonald |Downtown News
The booming sound of those Hell’s Bells bonging in Petco Park may have faded away but not so for the pitcher who caused that commotion when he walked from the bullpen to the pitching mound to register another save.
The Padres value Trevor Hoffman’s presence in the organization and recently boosted his responsibilities to the role of “Upper Level Pitching Coordinator and Special Assistant to the General Manager.”
General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement of Hoffman’s elevation as the team makes plans to improve its program in monitoring pitchers in the minors and majors.
“Trevor will be a key part of finishing the development of our younger pitchers,” Byrnes said. “His expertise, passion and communication skills will undoubtedly impact this critical area for us.”
In his career, the seven-time All-Star finished in the top 10 for Cy Young voting and the top 25 for Most Valuable Player voting on four occasions. He compiled 601 saves in 18 seasons.
During a press conference call on September 12, Hoffman said he felt he could be a conduit as a communicator, in helping the pitching staffs at all levels. “My work load has gone up, but this is an area I’m passionate about. This is a great opportunity and it was important for me to take it. I’ve always been comfortable on the field.”
Since retiring from the playing field in January of 2011, Hoffman has served the last three seasons in the ball club’s front office, as special assistant to the president and chief executive officer.
“I’ve always felt comfortable, particularly in spring training, standing around talking to the guys, picking their brains … and vice versa,” Hoffman told the media, adding that he would need to learn the position, particularly the coordinating aspect.
He was asked what he expects to take from the job he has held for the past three years into the new job.
“I learned the importance of dialog and the importance of being on the same page,” he said. “We have great people in the minor leagues.”
“This is a great thing for us,” said Padres Manager Bud Black of Hoffman’s addition to the team’s coaching and development staff. “It’s great for the minor league and major league pitchers. On the mental side of the game, Trevor can add great insight.
“I’m pumped that Trevor wants to do this,” Black said. “All around, there are a lot of positives. It’s going to get the competitive juices flowing.”
Byrnes said Hoffman was “the first person we called” when the decision was made to add another high-level pitching coach, much the same way they added a second hitting coach last year.
While on the roster, Hoffman went through various pitching incarnations in San Diego. He once threw in the mid-90s (m.p.h.) but hurt his shoulder in 1994 and learned to do more with less by using the change-up. The change-up puts less strain on the arm than a split or hard slider. A message he might bestow to others.
Hoffman has been involved in the local community since first joining the Padres in 1993. He has worked extensively with the National Kidney Foundation and Rady Children’s Hospital, while also donating his time and resources to numerous community and military outreach programs and the youth Traveling Baseball League.
In 2011, the Padres retired Hoffman’s No. 51, an honor bestowed upon only four other former Padres: Steve Garvey, Tony Gwynn, Randy Jones and Dave Winfield.
After an award winning, 38-year sports-writing career with the San Diego Union and authoring three books, Johnny McDonald now considers writing a hobby. He enjoys covering aspects of the port district, convention center, Balboa Park, zoo, and stories with a historical bent. You can reach him at [email protected].
