Trevor Hoffman was born with one kidney, hit around .210 as a minor-league shortstop, and tore his rotator cuff diving for a ball on the beach during the 1994 strike. This deep dive follows how each setback forced a reinvention that turned him into the first pitcher to reach 500 and then 600 career saves.

After losing his velocity, Hoffman rebuilt himself around a devastating palm-buried changeup and an entrance ritual that terrified hitters, all while becoming a generous clubhouse mentor.

• Grew up banned from pitching after age 12 and developed as a shortstop before converting to the mound.
• Convinced University of Arizona officials his lone kidney was shielded when he batted right-handed.
• Rebuilt his game around a changeup thrown with the same arm speed as his old fastball after shoulder surgery.
• Made "Hel ...