September 24, 2006
The Champ is Here.
By Jack Jablin
478 saves. In his 13 years in the MLB, Trevor Hoffman has acquired 478 saves - the most in the history of the MLB, tied with Lee Smith for the all time record. Today, on September 24th, the crowd came alive as #51 took to the mound. Everybody knew what was at stake as Hoffman attempted to take the all-time record, as well as carry the Padres to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hoffman would lead off the 9th inning with a strike on the outside to Ryan Doumit, followed by a ball to the outside and a foul... BANG! A breaking change up that would freeze the best in the business sends Doumit to the showers with a K on his shoulders.
Next to the plate is Jose Bautista, who takes a ball, and then eats two strikes to make the count 1-2. Bautista fouls off the next pitch to regain his composure, then takes the next pitch for a ball; the count is 2-2. Hoffman decides to come inside, as he has for more than a decade in Major League Baseball, but Bautista ducks out of the way to make it a full count. Hoffman reaches back for a powerful fastball, but Bautista does his best to foul the ball back into the stands... Fed up with this battle, Hoffman winds up and guns a fastball past Bautista for his second K of the inning!
Enter Freddy Sanchez, one of the NL's best hitters this season, and a constant threat to get on base (.342 average as of this time). Sanchez goes for gold early, but whiffs at the Hoffman offering - falling behind early, 0-1. Hoffman cleans his hand on his pocket and prepares for his next pitch. Sanchez takes the fastball offering and grounds sharply to shortstop Geoff Blum! It should be a close play, but as if fate has intervened (or Sanchez is doing Hoffman a favor), Freddy Sanchez trips as he leaves the batter's box! Blum guns to first and the ballgame is over, history has been made.
The fans at PETCO park explode as Hell's Bells (Hoffman's theme for the past few years) begins pounding through the PA system. The Padre bench clears as the entire team surrounds Trevor Hoffman at the mound, celebrating their closer's 33rd save of the year, but more importantly, the 479th save of his career. Ladies and gentlemen... The new king of saves is here, and he is Trevor Hoffman!
As a proud Californian, I can not think of a better man to break the all-time save mark. Trevor Hoffman is a hell of a player, a great man and a wonderful influence to his team. On behalf of MLB fans around the world, I am proud to be the first to thank you and wish you well over the rest of the season. Congratulations, Trevor, I knew you had it in you!
With this win, the Padres move 2 games ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West race, and could be up 2.5 games by the end of the day.
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Hey Jack buddy.....I'm trying to win this league, so could ya fix the YS Fantasy Baseball for me.....Thanks...
Jack, I know you don't want me to win the YS.com Fantasy Baseball league, but could you please unlock my roster...
Jack, you're pathetic. This is just sad man...
I appologize for tagging this to your article Jack.
Where is the the super-Met fan writer of this site? I thought he was writing a weekly story? Or was it monthly? I remember how he liked to write when the Mets had the best record in baseball, and the Yankees were dealing with key losses to their team? Is what I said true, that he is a bandwagonner, who only comes out when things are peachy? Maybe a Mets win will give him the courage he needs to be obnoxious.
I have seen some Mets fans use the loss of Pedro as a win-win situation for them. They now have a built in excuse, or a 'look what we overcame' story. Truth is, I don't think Pedro would have been a factor anyway, especially not against the Yankees. I do believe that Orlando Ornandez would be a big loss, let's hope he only misses the one start.
If BOTB is out there- how do you think your Cards will do?
Yeah ive checked the site out a couple of times in the last 10 days or so. Nothing new written. I was wondering the same thing.
If Pedro came back healthy he definitely would have made a difference. The Mets are lucky if he fulfills half of the 2 years they signed him too. At least an effective 2 years. Whatever higher being you believe in is not a Met fan apparently. El Duque pulls his calf too? I wasnt sure that the Mets could beat the Dodgers (before Penny was out) but now? The Mets are lucky to get out of the first round. Lastings Milledge better be the truth because thats why they dont have Zito starting today. Im not a fan of Milledge myself. Something about his swing I dont like. Hell, im no expert, but theres just something I dont like. Combine that with his attitude, im not sure how hes gonna turn out. They could have gotten Manny last year too for him.
I was wondering the same thing, Sonshine. Expect the Met fan to come out of the woodwork if his team wins the NLCS, and especially if they win the World Series. Aside from that? He'll only return to say "I'm still here, I was just uhhh busy, so see? I'm not hiding."
Cheers,
Jack Jablin
Hey Monty,
I dropped my cell phone and it's broken. :( I had your number stored on it and I haven't been able to call you. I hope your grandchild is doing better and that the autumn festival goes well. My Dad said the "thing" is alright with him but he needs to talk to you. I know this is crazy but my e-mail account is messed up also.
Later,
-Nat
Hey Nat...
Great to hear from you!!! It's been 6-7 days and I was starting to worry. I've left you at least 25 messages and e-mails since last week. At first, I thought maybe you changed your mind. Then I re-read all your old e-mails and knew that couldn't be the case. So starting Monday, I began checking this site about 10 times a day hoping you would resurface. My prayers were answered!
I'm happy to report Sarah is doing very well. She's finally out of the hospital. Turns out it wasn't meningitis after all (just a nasty infection). Praise Jesus.
As far as the festival goes, we may just do an overnight instead of the full weekend. These last 10 days have been really hard on everyone.
Now, about your dad - I still feel kinda weird about the whole thing. I know it's a Japanese family tradition, but it does seem a little odd. Will your mother be there? Also, not pictures, right?
I don't feel terribly comfortable 'chatting' on this site. I'll keep trying to e-mail you, but will also check back here as well. Tell your father I will call him. Just let me know when's a good time.
And just so you know, I told David and Lisa we met thru the outreach program, so please play along. He would think I've lost my mind otherwise.
Warmly,
-Monty
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