TAMPA — Trevor Hoffman finished a Hall of Fame career last season with the all-time saves record. And with the understanding Mariano Rivera will eventually pass him.
“Being second to Mo is not a bad thing,” Hoffman told The Post yesterday from Padres camp in Arizona, where he is in uniform as a staff member.
With 559 saves to Hoffman’s 601, Rivera checked into George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday ready to start spring training after missing the first two days because the flu ran through his family’s home in Westchester.
Asked about needing 43 saves to become the all-time leader, Rivera shrugged.
“I really don’t care about that. If it happens, it happens. If not, it’s OK,” Rivera told The Post. “It wouldn’t make me better or less.”
That doesn’t mean Rivera isn’t impressed with Hoffman.
“I have a lot of respect for Hoffman,” Rivera said. “He showed the game a lot of respect.”
Based on recent save totals, 41-year-old Rivera will need the second season of the two-year, $30 million deal he signed this offseason to pass Hoffman.
Once in the previous six seasons — in 2009, when he posted 44 saves — has Rivera topped 43. During those six years he averaged 37.2 saves. Last year he saved 33.
“It’s easy to give praise when praise is earned,” Hoffman said. “I appreciate the way he takes care of himself and the success he has had in the regular season and the postseason.”
Rivera said he wasn’t surprised longtime teammate Andy Pettitte retired when it was obvious he still had the skills to win.
“If you don’t feel it in yourself anymore, why do it?” Rivera said. “I respect him.”
Rivera said he will know when it’s over.
“If you lose the passion, you recognize it’s time to go,” Rivera said.
Rivera needed to check with pitching coach Larry Rothschild before learning what his program will be. Don’t look for the closer in an exhibition game before March 15.
According to Rivera, leaving home becomes more difficult each year.
“It’s hard, my little one [8-year-old Jaziel] was attached to my hip and crying,” Rivera said. “A lot of people don’t see that part of the game.”