Where No Man has been before...

Last night, a pitcher, by the name of Trevor Hoffman reached, a plateau that has never been touched by any other man in the history of the game of baseball. The 42 year-old Hoffman made his debut all the way back in April of 1993. The 17 year vet became the all time saves leader back in the `06 season on September 24th when he recorded his 479th in a 2-1 win over the Pirates. He became the first and only player to 500 saves in the `07 season in a 5-2 win against the Dodgers. Only Mariano Rivera has joined him since. So he was already the greatest closer ever, but last night he just kept climbing, and he reached another milestone.

Coming into the season, Hoffman had 591 saves. See that's 9 away from a number that no closer has even flirted with. Already told you no one had 500 before Trevor, so 600 saves was an absurd idea. But Hoffman found himself only 9 away. But here's the problem... as much as everyone loved Trevor, his stuff is just not there anymore. So the Brewers' did not have them as their closer, and who could blame them? It's all about winning. But Trevor was unfazed by this, and went into the season prepared to do what he could to help the Brewers win.

I specifically remember one day, on a random Sportscenter, they were talking about Hoffman. He was at 596 at this time. He had just got rocked in an extra inning appearance, and has been shaky all year so far. They believed that Trevor wouldn't be able to get to 600. Only 4 away, and they said the stuff wasn't there, Brewers won't put him in to close because it's too risky and all this other jazz. It was very upsetting...

Luckily the Brewers suck, so how do you draw fans to a stadium in which a crappy team plays? Well, the Brewers did it that Bernie Mac film Mr.3000, and they did with Trevor. They used him as the closer so that he could get to that magic number. And last night, a 42 year old pitcher did something experts said he wouldn't do. He saved game number 600. 600 times he came in to protect his teams lead, and he got 3 outs. 600 times he did the most pressure filled job in baseball. 600 times of 676 chances. 600 times...let it sink in.

Congratulations are in order to you, Mr. Trevor Hoffman, on your 600th save and hall of fame career. You deserve it.