[Larkin anchored the Reds' infield for the better part of 19 seasons, winning the National League MVP award in 1995. That was too much competition for Hoffman, who only had his father to blame for the predicament. When Hoffman reached high school, his father had forced him off the mound, hoping that it would save some bullets for his right arm. By the time Hoffman got to the minors, however, his career as a position player had stalled.] I couldn't hit a slider and I was having a hard time throwing it to first base without putting it in the stands or throwing it in the dugout, ... The writing was on the wall that I wasn't going to make it higher than A-ball as an infielder. |
Better be careful what you wish for. |
But the truth is, this might be the end of the run. |
But there's been no dialogue. With the new direction they've thought about going, I don't know if I'm in their plans. I don't know what they're waiting for. |
Coffee sales will be up. |
He asked me for some identification and I couldn't understand why he would be doing that. |
He has been a breath of fresh air. The way he takes the mound, he brought a lot of intensity with him. We really need him. |
He really saved our hide. |
He takes great pride in it. He's always attentive to the game situation, knows when we're going to probably crank 'er up a little bit more than normal based on the situation. There's no dialogue; he's there before I ever get there. Kind of like you see guys in the Home Run Derby. They bring in their own batting practice pitcher. There's a select comfort you get from somebody. |
He was happy I wasn't able to get it in Atlanta or Florida. I might actually have him sign it. |
His foresight seemed to work out in my situation, |
Hopefully we can think about some things over the next couple of months and figure out a way to improve ourselves and get to the next level. |
I don't know if I'd call it a reckless abandon, but he's always played with a fearlessness. I think it's going to take him a while to feel comfortable going into the gap hard again. |
I don't set goals, |
I enjoyed my time with Grady a lot. He's a class act. Very country. Very easygoing. He's not rattled by much. |