Hall Of Fame: Is 2016 “Trevor Time”?

Aug 30, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres ceo Ron Fowler (left) and Peter Siedler present former player

his induction plaque into the Padres Hall of Fame before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

With the Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio officially on their way to Cooperstown, talk about the 2016 ballot has already begun.

This begs the question: Is Trevor Hoffman a first ballot Hall of Famer?

“Yes, a thousand times, yes!” cried all of San Diego in unison.

Don’t worry, I’m right there with you. But is the media? That’s all that matters, right? After all, they are the only ones who get a vote. The truth, plain and simple, is that Trevor Hoffman should be a lock as a first ballot Hall of Famer. His sparkling 2.87 career ERA and record setting 601 lifetime saves more than speak for themselves. Hell, Major League Baseball even honored Trevor by renaming the NL reliever of the year award after him.

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Unfortunately, Trevor has a lot going against him. First off, he played the bulk of his career on the San Diego Padres – one of the league’s smallest markets. Secondly, Trevor only had the opportunity to pitch in front of a national audience in 12 postseason games over his illustrious 18 year career – as opposed to Mariano Rivera who pitched in the post season in 16 of his 19 years in the league, wining five World Series and a World Series MVP. And lastly, closers have a heck of a time getting in. As it stands, there are only six closers in the Hall of Fame (if you include Smoltz) – four of them have won the Cy Young award, and the other two have World Series Championships.

Entering the Ballot with Hoffman for the first time in 2016 are Ken Griffey Jr, Jim Edmonds, Troy Glaus, Bengie Molina, and Gary Matthews among others.

Some of the names snubbed this year include: Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Curt Schilling, and Alan Trammell.

The best case scenario Trevor Hoffman can hope for is that the writers are still very much opposed to electing suspected users during the “Steroid Era”.

The odds aren’t exactly in Trevor’s favor. Then again, Trevor has been defying the odds his entire career. Trevor was a game changer in San Diego. Maybe he can be a game changer in Cooperstown.

Getting elected to 2016 MLB Hall of Fame is going to be an uphill battle, but if there’s anywhere in the world that Trevor Hoffman is comfortable, it’s on the hill.