How do you honor history? How do you honor legendary relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman of the Padres? The Friars did, and did they ever do it right on Sunday at a cheering Petco Park.

Yes they retired #51, his legendary uniform number. They put that number atop the centerfield board, alongside Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn, the amazing pitcher Randy Jones, the booming slugger Dave Winfield, the home run hitter that was Steve Garvey, and the #42 for Jackie Robinson and all he meant to the game and society.

You can shower players with gifts, and they did, the glass-encased gold-plated pitching rubber. His original pinstripe Padres jersey from that World Series season. And that legendary Classic Cadillac car.

But Sunday more than just the stories of Trevor Hoffman, the Orange County kid, the shortstop turned pitcher, turned closer, turned record-setter, whose next turn will be at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

It was more than just saluting 601 career saves in Florida, Milwaukee, or with the Friars. It was beyond the stories of the weak-hitting .211 shortstop in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, who went to Florida in the expansion draft, and then to San Diego as a throw in as part of a Marlins-Padres trade.

The ceremony was video highlights, stories with teammates, and a love affair with all he shared a clubhouse and bullpen with. It was the never ending respect for Tony Gwynn's talents. It was his support of pitching coaches like Darren Balsley over the year, who helped re-invent his style. It was the long therapy from 2-shoulder surgeries. It was the even-keeled leadership of former manager Bruce Bochy.

Old teammates arrived with hugs and laughs. And there were moments of grief when recognizing the passing of teammates Ken Caminetti and Rod Beck. It detailed thoughts of highs, and lows, overcoming the disappointment of a divorce from the Padres when they deemed him not worthy of a big payday. It was the reclamation of his fading career in two final seasons in Milwaukee.

The honors were about memories. The videos of his sprint from the bullpen to the mound on any given night. It was about pitching in World Series and All Star Games. It was about being carried off the field when the Padres clinched pennants and went to the playoffs.

Sunday was a day to never forget. Forever I will hear the AC/DC song, "Hells Bells," which took on a life of its own as his theme. It is the memory of the lights forever flashing "Trevor Time" when he reached the mound. It is the sight of batter's knees buckling in the box, flailing at his wicked curve and his dazzling changeup. It was about the night the Padres got swept out of the World Series, and the fans gave Hoffman and his teammates a 5-minute standing ovation. They may lost the Series but forever won the hearts of the city.

But the way it started, and the way it finished is something I will never forget. When the bullpen door swung open today, and Trevor, his wife, and those three young kids, made the long walk from he bullpen to the mound. Husband, father and family making that historical walk. And the way it finished, with the emotional 1981 video of his late father Ed Hoffman, singing the National Anthem at Fenway Park, with Trevor, tearful, hugging his mother and brothers as his father's video was played.

How do you honor history? By reminding us of his history. Great day, great pitcher, great person. And a great job by Padres owner Jeff Moorad and his staff. Cheers and tears on the field, in the press box, and sitting in Section 310.

Baseball is about its history. The Padres put on a 1st Class show. Honoring Hoffy History and Trevor Time.