Hoffman still keeping tabs on Brewers

Though he spent 16 of his 18 seasons with the San Diego Padres, Trevor Hoffman's defining moment may have come as a Brewer.The all-time leader in saves became the first closer in major league history to reach 600 saves as a member of the Brewers last season and he has not lost touch with the club while serving in a new role with the Padres.Hoffman, now working in the Padres' front office, joined FOX Sports Wisconsin's Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder in the booth during Wednesday's game in San Diego and said he still keeps a close watch on his old teammates."I'm always kind of keeping up with everybody," Hoffman said. "I just kind of let them know someones watching them."Hoffman said he regularly text messages with current Brewers, particularly relievers he served with like Kameron Loe and current closer John Axford. From his long, accomplished career, Hoffman knows the season can be consuming and takes it upon himself to reach out."Once you get into the roll of the season, it's kind of put your head down and grind until it's over with," Hoffman said. "I kind of feel it's my job to reach out and make sure that they're doing OK."Though he now acts in a front office capacity, Hoffman said he stills does most of his work on the field. He spent spring training with the Padres, offering his expertise and making himself seen in the organization again.Hoffman said he tries to get to at least one game of each Padres home series, often offering his wisdom to the team's relievers, and most recently spent time working with the team's triple-A affiliate in Tucson, Ariz. "It's always nice to get down and be able to see the guys that might need a little extra time talking about things that you had a chance to touch on in spring training," Hoffman said.In his first season with the Brewers, Hoffman notched 37 saves and earned a trip to the All-Star Game. He struggled in his second season, however, and lost the closer's job to Axford. He has no regrets about his experience in Milwaukee though and looks back fondly on his time as a Brewer."It was exciting and a new fresh start for me to come over to Milwaukee and be part of a franchise with a lot of tremendous core guys and tremendous support from the community." Hoffman said. "Things didn't work out so well the second year but I had the opportunity to mentor a few guys down in the bullpen." When his old Brewers teammates invited him Wednesday to take part in the rigorous workout routine he taught them, however, Hoffman politely declined. He remains comfortable with his decision to retire and is relishing his new role."I feel like this has been the right place for me," Hoffman said. "Having an opportunity to move into the situation I have with the Padres has fed that animal and it's worked out pretty good."