The Questions with Trevor Hoffman/Padres Closer

What was your welcome-to-the-major-leagues moment?

[As a rookie in 1993] with Florida. The bases were loaded with two outs in the eighth against the Dodgers. I went 3 and 2 to Eric Davis and got him to swing through a high fastball.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

That year in spring training I pitched an inning against Cleveland, and I went back to the clubhouse, thinking I was done. I had my shoes and pants off when someone came running in telling me I was pitching a second inning.

What is your favorite off-day activity?

Barbecuing.

What is the one thing about being a ballplayer that the public doesn't think about?

That we're all still little kids inside. Adults playing a kids' game.

If I were commissioner for a day, I would ...

make the final game of every series a day game.

Last Week

Hoffman, 37, picked up his 400th career save on May 6, becoming the third pitcher in major league history to do so.

This Week

The Padres go to Seattle where Hoffman will face former teammate Bret Boone, who played with San Diego in 2000.

COLOR PHOTO

GREG TROTT/WIREIMAGE.COM (HOFFMAN HEAD SHOT)

COLOR PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (HOFFMAN IN ACTION)