Padres’ Glenn Hoffman exits coaching position
Credit: AP Photo
San Diego Padres’ coach Glenn Hoffman will leave his job on the field for a front-office position.
On Thursday, San Diego Padres’ mainstay Glenn Hoffman retired after 22 years coaching in Major League Baseball.
He will join his Hall-of-Fame brother, Trevor, as an advisor in baseball operations for the team. The popular coach exuded positive vibes in his role as third-base coach for the Padres from 2006 to 2020. Hoffman began his time in San Diego during a playoff run and fittingly ended it with a trip to the National League Divisional Series.
The Hoffman boys grew up around baseball as their dad Ed worked as an usher at Anaheim Stadium and even sang the national anthem before games from time to time. Residents of Anaheim, the two attended Savanna High School.
In 1976 the Boston Red Sox drafted Hoffman in the second round, and he began his Major League career in 1980. That year he played in 114 games and batted .285/.326/.386/.724. During his eight years with Boston, Hoffman played short in 615 games. His father Ed even sang the National Anthem at a Red Sox home opener, and his son said he cherished that memory above all during his long career in the game.
In August 1987, the Red Sox traded Hoffman to the Dodgers, where he also played short. The following year he returned to Boston, but only in the minors. He ended his career with the California Angels. As a player, he appeared in 766 games overall, recording 524 hits, 106 doubles, nine triples, 23 HR with a career .242 batting average.
The Dodgers recognized Hoffman’s unique skill set and hired him to manage in the minor leagues but also in player development. When Los Angeles fired Bill Russell, the team tabbed Hoffman as interim manager. He led the team to a 47-41, third-place finish.
The following year, the Dodgers hired Davey Johnson as manager, and Hoffman moved to third base as a coach. He stayed with the Dodgers for seven seasons and then joined his brother Trevor in San Diego, where he has been an anchor as coaches, and even managers came and went. During 15 years with the Padres, Hoffman coached under one changing of the guard to another–from Bud Black to Dave Roberts to Pat Murphy to Andy Green to Rod Barajas to Jayce Tingler.
At his post at third, Hoffman experienced both the worst and the best of the San Diego Padres. From a playoff run in 2006, he maintained his enthusiasm and love for the game through one losing season after another with only four seasons of plus .500 ball.
Although his replacement has not been named, Bobby Dickerson, third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles from 2013-2018, would be the logical choice to take over for Hoffman. Hired by the Padres last year, Dickerson has acted as infield and bench coach for the Padres.
Obviously, Glenn Hoffman will be sorely missed. However, he looks forward to working with players during spring training and with minor leaguers the rest of the season. On his way out the door, he gave special praise to first-time manager Tingler and his leadership through a pandemic and a truncated season.
Baseball has been a part of Diane’s life since her father played professionally (mostly at the minor league level). She has written for a number of publications and concentrated on companion animal welfare. She welcomes the opportunity to write about the sport she loves. Diane shares her home with her husband and a house full of rescued animals.
