SAN DIEGO — Earlier this month, a 9-foot, bronze statue of newly-minted Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman was unveiled beyond the bullpens at Petco Park.
That led Rockies manager Bud Black, who managed Hoffman in San Diego and remains close with him, to talk about the skills, heart and mental toughness it took for Hoffman to earn 601 career saves. Then the conversation segued into the Rockies’ bullpen and what it must do over the final 30 games to get the Rockies their first National League West title.
A number of factors will play into whether the Rockies can excel in a pennant race, but one thing seems certain: the bullpen will surely test the nerves of Rockies fans.