Arizona Baseball to retire Trevor Hoffman’s jersey on Opening Day

We’re officially weeks until the start of the 2019 Arizona Baseball season and the Wildcats will begin the year honoring a legend!

The start to the 2019 baseball season is nearly here, and as opening day is soon to take place, Arizona Baseball will be honoring a legend of their own, in Trevor Hoffman.

People say Arizona is a basketball school, honestly I’m more convinced diamonds thrive in the desert… that’s baseball and softball diamonds I mean.

Arizona Wildcats

While I’m not knocking the illustrious history of Arizona Basketball, let’s not forget that in baseball, the Wildcats have four World Series titles, two hall of fame coaches and a storied program that dates back to the 1970s.

Beyond that, we’ve had numerous, talented pros, a World Series winning coach in Terry Francona and now a Major League Hall of Famer.

As you may recall, last summer was a busy one for former Wildcat legend, Trevor Hoffman. Considered one of the best closers of all-time, Hoffman was officially inducted into the Major League Hall of Fame.

His story of how he came from being overlooked to eventual legend, is an interesting one and certainly worth telling always.

Originally a Bellflower, CA native, Hoffman would grow up playing baseball due to his size and health concerns he had suffered from as a child.

Baseball was a passion, and he had the best recipe to success, following in the footsteps of his talented older brother.

A talented but overlooked baseball player, Hoffman would eventually make his way to Tucson via Cypress College, where he played for the Wildcats from 1988-89. In just his two years at Arizona, Hoffman wouldn’t see the mound, only playing shortstop for the Wildcats, but still having an enourmous impact.

In his collegiate career, Hoffman was one of Arizona’s better hitters, and made himself known for his good arm strength from the middle infield. Hoffman was so good, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1989 MLB Draft following his senior season.

From there, Hoffman would mostly play in the minor leagues, but ultimately struggle in continuing to develop his batting. Struggling at the plate, the moves him from infield to pitcher.

Trevor would then take off, never seemingly looking back. Over the next 20 years in the pros, he would become known as one of the games best, making stops in Florida (via the 1992 expansion draft), San Diego (15+ seasons) before finishing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nearly 10 years since his last pitch and being inducted into the Major League Hall of Fame, Arizona will honor the legend, by officially retiring his jersey on opening day.

The program announced the decision to do so just days ago, where they will perform a pregame ceremony, and also pass Hoffman Bobble Heads.

Opening day will take place on February 15 when the Wildcats will take on UMass Lowell at Hi Corbett Field.

At Zona Zealots, we are happy for Trevor and are glad he’s finally get his much deserved recognition and can’t wait to see No. 15 in the rafters forever! Bear Down, Arizona!