Hoffman to enter Padres Hall of Fame on Aug. 30

SAN DIEGO -- Legendary closer Trevor Hoffman has long been an icon for both the Padres and Major League Baseball as a whole. Though he's not eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown until 2016, the Padres announced on Monday that they will induct Hoffman into the club's Hall of Fame on Aug. 30 before their 5:40 p.m. PT game against the Dodgers at Petco Park.

Hoffman, who retired as MLB's all-time saves leader in January 2011 before the Yankees' Mariano Rivera surpassed him in September 2011, was unanimously voted in by a panel of local sports media and the Padres front office. He finished his 18-year career with 601 saves, 552 of which came with the Padres.

"I'm thrilled to be inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame," Hoffman said in a statement. "To be able to join a group of people whose contributions have not only shaped our organization, but also strengthened the game of baseball, is an honor."

Hoffman will become the ninth member of the Padres Hall of Fame, joining Buzzie Bavasi, Nate Colbert, Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn, Randy Jones, Ray Kroc, Dick Williams and Dave Winfield.

The Bellflower, Calif., native, revered for his devastating changeup, spent parts of 16 seasons in San Diego. He debuted with the Marlins in 1993 before a midseason trade sent him to San Diego, where he established himself as one of the best closers of all-time. He then finished his career with two seasons in Milwaukee.

A seven-time All-Star and two-time runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award, Hoffman led the NL in saves twice and compiled a 2.87 ERA in 1,035 games.

Over his 16 seasons with San Diego, Hoffman had 552 saves in 618 opportunities (.893 save percentage), a 2.76 ERA, .211 opponents' batting average and 1,029 strikeouts in 902 appearances.

"Trevor means so much to this organization. His profound impact for more than two decades -- on the field, in the community and now in the front office -- has been monumental," Padres president and CEO Mike Dee said in a statement. "Trevor's induction into the Padres Hall of Fame has been a long time coming and is the latest recognition of what he has meant to Padres fans and the San Diego community. It's also part of a renewed organizational focus on the Hall of Fame, which includes plans to relocate and re-vamp the Hall of Fame exhibit at the ballpark in the near future."

Hoffman currently lives in San Diego and serves as the Padres' upper-level pitching coordinator.