About Trevor ...

Friar John did not weigh in on the official separation of closer Trevor Hoffman from the Padres on Thursday. FJ was at a loss for words.

Hard to believe, huh?

Anyway, upper management had spelled out its reasoning. And Hoffman had said his piece. So there wasn't much more to add about the reasons behind his departure.

With a day of reflection, FJ chooses to focus on Hoffman's 16 seasons in San Diego. He has left to play in another uniform, but he has left behind many memories to cherish.

Here are a few FJ will think of when he sees Hoffman wearing that baseball glove/MB logo:

• Hoffman's last save in the postseason came in Game 3 of the 2006 NL Division Series. Bullpen catcher Mark Merila, battling a brain tumor, was losing control of the right side of his body and could no longer throw straight. He begged off the warm-up assignment. Hoffman encouraged his buddy to share the moment with him, telling him, "You throw it; I'll go get it."
• While rehabbing from multiple shoulder surgeries in 2003, Hoffman often stayed behind in San Diego while his teammates went on road trips. When they got back, they were greeted in the tunnel at Qualcomm Stadium by Hoffman, who had arranged catered meals for them upon arrival.
• Seeing a seemingly endless line of young pitchers -- such as Doug Bochtler, Matt Clement and Jeremy Fikac -- try to join him on his workout regimen, only to invariably drop out because they couldn't keep up on his long afternoon runs.
• Entering the clubhouse after a blown save and seeing Hoffman waiting in front of his cubicle, still in uniform pants, ready to answer questions. But after a big save, he was back in the trainer's room or the cafeteria with his teammates, only to emerge after many reporters headed back upstairs.
• Getting his 479th save to become the career record holder and No. 500 at home after hearing "Hells Bells."
• Knowing that he digs "Hells Bells" but never looked up to enjoy the moment during his entry into a game. That would be disrespecting the game and the opponent, something Hoffman would not do. He plays the right way.
• Instilling respect for the game into his three sons as they made PETCO Park and Qualcomm Stadium their playgrounds. He always let them know getting to run around on a Major League field was a privilege, not a birthright.
• Watching him pitch. Like Greg Maddux, Hoffman knew exactly what made him successful and had a rare knack to perform physically. As his fastball velocity dipped, Hoffman spotted the pitch better. He never had a bad year with the change-up, rarely threw a bad change-up at all.
• Hoffman's postgame routine: a moment of solitude in the dugout to transition out of game intensity, then a wait for the bullpen coach and bullpen catcher to shake their hands after they pack up the ball bags and make their way in from the bullpen. He never forgot who shared in his success.

Here is wishing Hoffman well in Milwaukee. Home, however, remains San Diego.

FJ

(Photos by Padres team photographer Chris Hardy: Top, Trevor Hoffman takes one of his final PETCO Park postgame moments of reflection after a save in August; inset, Hoffman celebrates his record-breaking 479th save in an on-field ceremony.)