We have all received Christmas cards in the mail with family pictures front and center – but how often have you received a thank you card in the form of a full-page ad from a baseball star?
That is exactly what San Diegans woke up to Sunday morning when Trevor Hoffman took out this full page in the San Diego Union-Tribune:
“As I sat down and put pen to paper thinking about the best way to express my gratitude to the many people whom have had a profound effect on my time here in San Diego, a recurring theme kept coming up, just say THANKS!! Thanks go out to my family, friends, teammates, managers, coaches, trainers, clubhouse personnel, medical staff, front office, members of the media, Qualcomm & Petco employees, and to you the fans young and old, it is all of you who gave this game life. We’ve experienced extreme highs and lows; it is what makes the risk worth the rewards. Thank you for the 16 seasons to represent San Diego both on and off the field. My family and I will cherish the memories. Thanks, Hoffy.”
The 41-year-old right-hander signed with Milwaukee over the Los Angeles Dodgers, even though he said the two offers were "definitely close" after San Diego pulled its offer of $4 million for 2009 with a club option for $4 million in 2010. His $6 million, one-year deal includes up to $1.5 million in incentives.
Hoffman, who went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA in 48 appearances last year, had pitched for the Padres since 1993 and was the face of the franchise after Tony Gwynn retired. Now, he'll be playing with Brewers outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr.
