Hells Bells: Trevor Hoffman Signs With Milwaukee Brewers

He was arguably, besides Tony Gwynn, the most popular San Diego Padre ever. A hard-working, professional, standup guy and a leader among his teammates. But, as we always do in San Diego professional sports, we always seem to treat our sports icons with disrespect when they reach our twilight years. And Hoffman's decision to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers is yet another example of the bungling, mismanaged fire sale that is happening right now with the ballclub.

Insulted by the way the club tendered - then yanked off the table - an offer in November (he is a free agent), the 41-year-old Hoffman resigned himself to ending his career elsewhere, even though his desire was to end his stellar career with the Padres. And now the ballclub enters the 2009 season without any true superstars or fan favorites. And they wonder why the fan base is shrinking?

The major league's all-time saves leader, Hoffman's career with the Padres, which began in 1995, is synonymous with the team's greatest successs - divisional and league titles and World Series appearances. With his departure, all of those accomplishments and aspirations seem like a long way off.

It is the end of an era in San Diego sports, and Trevor Hoffman will be truly missed. It's gonna be a long season...