If you ask any San Diego Padres’ fan what Hells Bells means to them, they will probably say, "Game over." At least, that is what they would have said a few years ago.
Today, I am sad to say that the sound of that song playing at a Padres’ home game almost certainly spells disaster nowadays. It is now more evident than ever that Trevor Hoffman's illustrious career has come to an untimely end.
I am safe to say it is time for Trevor Hoffman to retire. Not at the end of the season, not at the all-star break. Now. And that is coming from perhaps one of the biggest Trevor Hoffman fans you will ever meet.
I have been a huge fan ever since I first saw him come into a game with that amazing song by AC/DC playing in the stadium. But a player’s biggest fan usually knows best. And I know that the Padres won't have a shot in hell this year of making the playoffs with him as the closer.
Not that the Padres are even thinking about remaining in contention considering they are almost in last place. But even if they were able to build up an amazing comeback this year, it would be all for not as Trevor would probably blow a few key saves and the team would never recover, especially in the postseason.
The reason for the Padres’ huge failure so far this year is not just because only two players on the team can say they are actually using their bats (Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Giles) or that half their starting rotation is on the DL, but the fact that even when it seems like they are making a bit of a turn-around Trevor ends up blowing a save.
And that can really kill a team's momentum. Nothing hurts a team like believing that you are not even safe with a three run lead in the ninth. It is extremely hard to bounce back from that feeling.
When I saw the Padres play the Giants about a week ago, I saw a Trevor that I had never seen before. A hittable Trevor. A very hittable Trevor. Everything he threw the Giants just jumped on, and it seemed as if they knew it was coming.
A pitcher can only go so far with just a change-up. And while Trevor's may be the greatest change-up ever, it's not helping him at all now. He will still be remembered by many as the greatest regular season closer of all-time as he should be.
But there is nothing worse than watching your favorite player struggle to the point of sure defeat every time he plays. No. 51 needs to be retired...today. Before his entire reputation is destroyed.
A new bell needs to be rung. And that bell is Heath Bell.
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