Major League Baseball

Padres retire Hoffman's number

Published Aug. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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The San Diego Padres have retired the No. 51 worn by Trevor Hoffman, baseball's career saves leader.

Known for his menacing glare, high leg kick and wicked changeup, Hoffman had 601 saves in a career lasting from 1993-2010, 552 of them with the Padres.

Hoffman and his family wiped away tears after watching a video of Hoffman's father, Ed, singing the national anthem at Fenway Park on opening day in 1981, when Glenn Hoffman was shortstop for the Red Sox. Ed Hoffman, known as ''The Singing Usher'' at Anaheim Stadium, died in 1995.

During the ceremony, Hoffman told his three sons, ''One person doesn't deserve all this.''

The Padres presented Hoffman with a black 1958 Cadillac convertible. Among the video tributes was one from AC/DC singer Brian Johnson. Hoffman's home save opportunities were always lively, with AC/DC's ''Hells Bells'' blaring from the sound system the instant he started jogging in from the bullpen.

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