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Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman to have managerial debut in 2025 Perfect Game All-American Classic

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez06/25/25lawandfern
Trevor Hoffman
Mar 27, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Former San Diego Padres pitcher Trevor Hoffman throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. (Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Trevor Hoffman dominated the Major League Baseball batters while playing for three teams in 18 seasons. This time, 15 years after his retirement, the National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher will make his managerial debut at the 23rd annual Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic on August 17.

The relief pitcher/closer is an ideal choice for the role because the game will be at Petco Park, Hoffman’s home turf in his 16 seasons with the San Diego Padres. During his time with the Padres, the National League career leader in saves was a seven-time All-Star and two-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner.

After earning 79.9 percent of the vote, the Savanna High School alum became a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee in 2018, his third year on the ballot. Hoffman finished his career with 601 saves, 51 behind all-time leader Mariano Rivera.

Managing against Trevor Hoffman is Ryan Klesko, a former MLB left fielder/first baseman who played for three teams in 16 seasons. Klesko has one All-Star selection and a 1995 World Series victory. The former Westminster High School standout will also coach during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta.

The Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic is a showcase of the nation’s top high school baseball players. Over the years, the likes of Gerrit Cole, Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Francisco Lindor, Bobby Witt Jr., and Zack Wheeler have participated in this exhibition, which dates to 2003.

Out of the 1,126 participants of this yearly showcase, 850 became MLB Draft selections, including 293 first-rounders. Twenty-two participants became Gold Glove winners, 11 became Rookies of the Year, and five became MLB MVPs.

Joining Trevor Hoffman and Ryan Klesko on the sidelines of the 2025 Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic are World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel, former American League MVP Mo Vaughn, seven-time All-Star Alfonso Soriano, three-time All-Star Tom Gordon, and Padres All-Star Phil Nevin, among others.