Hoffman’s Last Padre Save from Melvin Nieves.

I had the pleasure of attending Trevor Hoffman’s likely last appearance as a Padre, and what might be the final Trevor Time in San Diego. It was September 27th, 2008, an otherwise not too noteworthy Saturday night game against Pittsburgh.

Since the game wasn’t the last of the year, there wasn’t much mystique in the air watching these the two last place clubs. Luckily, I was armed with the knowledge that Trevor’s contract was nearly expired, and based on 160 previous case studies I knew a win and save opportunity for the Padres the next day was hardly a given.

So I grabbed (politely asked for, sorry honey) the camera my girlfriend awesomely keeps in her purse for those all important bar bathroom mirror photos with the girls, and turned it on Trevor. As it turned out, I was recording history.

The significance of the moment, coupled with my inkling that not many people really knew what could be happening, shot a bittersweet feeling through my veins.

I don’t think I’ll forget that night, though it didn’t hurt that the line for beer in the right field bleacher was excruciatingly long.

Thanks Trevor, for being the great player, and the great guy that you are. I’m gonna miss you.

note: If you’re reading this from a feed, click through to the article to see the video.