Trevor Hoffman is heading to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The San Diego Padres’ longtime closer and the National League’s all-time saves leader was voted in by the Baseball Writers Association of America on Wednesday. Hoffman received 79.9 percent of the vote, more than the 75 percent needed for induction.

In doing so, Hoffman becomes the first Arizona Wildcat to earn induction into sports' most prestigious hall of fame. Hoffman played shortstop at the UA from 1988 to 1989. As a sophomore, he led the Pac-10 with a .377 batting average. He played alongside future big-leaguers Scott Erickson and J.T. Snow.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Hoffman in the 11th round of the 1989 amateur draft, signing him for $3,000. Hoffman was moved from shortstop to pitcher in 1991; a year later, the Florida Marlins selected the hard-throwing right-hander in the expansion draft.

Hoffman became a Padre in 1993 as part of a trade that included Gary Sheffield. It didn’t take long for Hoffman to take over as San Diego’s closer: He finished his career with 601 saves over 18 seasons. He converted 88.8 percent of his save chances in time with the Marlins, Padres and Brewers.

Hoffman has returned to Tucson β€” and the UA β€” often since retiring. Hoffman flew to town earlier this month to attend a memorial service honoring Jerry Kindall, his college coach. Kindall died Dec. 24 after suffering a stroke.

Hoffman will be introduced Thursday in Cooperstown, New York, and enshrined this summer. He will join Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Chipper Jones, all of whom were selected Wednesday.Β 

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