jmac
11-18-2006, 10:20 AM
most of you may know this, but i thought i would share a little of the background i read in a reds periodical.
1991: trevor hoffman was hitting just 212 in 103 games for reds Single A team in Charleston.Their manager,Jim Lett knew he would soon be cut so he approached Trevor and said, "Hey Trevor,before we cut you and send you back home forever,did you ever think about pitching ?"
After just a few pitches in a bullpen session,Lett and the pitching coach knew they were on to something.
1992:reds had 15 spots to fill on their "hands off " list in the which newly formed teams,Florida and Colorado could not touch.With 14 spots filled, they had to decide on the last one.A regular position player or the "new kid with the live arm " ?
after months of debate on that last spot, they chose not to protect hoffman, who was scooped up by (and later traded by) the Florida Marlins.
Rest is history .....482 saves 2.71 era
now fast forward to : 2006
Hoffman sets all-time saves record for Padres in game against Pirates.Team-mates pour onto field to celebrate with hoffman.Trevor stops,steps away from the guys and points to older guy setting in pirates dugout watching all this.The pirate coach......yes, none other than Jim Lett.The former Reds single A manager who once asked him "did you ever think about pitching".
though the Reds not protecting Hoffman will never top the famous "Bowie over Jordan " on the 'ones that gotta away list',in the baseball world,it would have to be right up there close to the top.
1991: trevor hoffman was hitting just 212 in 103 games for reds Single A team in Charleston.Their manager,Jim Lett knew he would soon be cut so he approached Trevor and said, "Hey Trevor,before we cut you and send you back home forever,did you ever think about pitching ?"
After just a few pitches in a bullpen session,Lett and the pitching coach knew they were on to something.
1992:reds had 15 spots to fill on their "hands off " list in the which newly formed teams,Florida and Colorado could not touch.With 14 spots filled, they had to decide on the last one.A regular position player or the "new kid with the live arm " ?
after months of debate on that last spot, they chose not to protect hoffman, who was scooped up by (and later traded by) the Florida Marlins.
Rest is history .....482 saves 2.71 era
now fast forward to : 2006
Hoffman sets all-time saves record for Padres in game against Pirates.Team-mates pour onto field to celebrate with hoffman.Trevor stops,steps away from the guys and points to older guy setting in pirates dugout watching all this.The pirate coach......yes, none other than Jim Lett.The former Reds single A manager who once asked him "did you ever think about pitching".
though the Reds not protecting Hoffman will never top the famous "Bowie over Jordan " on the 'ones that gotta away list',in the baseball world,it would have to be right up there close to the top.