"Trevor Hoffman had planned on relaxing with his family during the All-Star break.

"We were just going to lay low here in Milwaukee, find a lake, maybe put a line or two in the water," the Brewers' closer said.

Those plans changed Sunday morning, when Hoffman learned he'd been selected to the National League All-Star team as a replacement for injured Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton. Instead of unwinding with three low-key days, Hoffman will bring his three sons - ages 10, 11 and 12 - to St. Louis, where they'll watch Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder compete in the home run derby tonight before Tuesday night's game.

"It was a pretty easy sell," Hoffman said before Milwaukee's series finale against the Dodgers at Miller Park.

It's not difficult to sell Hoffman as an All-Star, either. In his first season with the Brewers, Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader has converted 20 of 22 save opportunities to go along with a 2.05 ERA.

"He's meant a lot to our club and where we are right now," Milwaukee manager Ken Macha said.

It's the seventh All-Star honor for Hoffman during his 17-year major league career, with the previous six selections coming as a member of the Padres. He mentioned the 1999 game in Boston - when baseball's all-century team was honored and Hall of Famer Ted Williams threw out the first pitch - as one of his favorites. But the experience isn't getting old.

"I wouldn't say that it becomes repetitive or anything like that," Hoffman said. "I think each one is going to take on a face of its own and memories will be made. But they're all special.

"They're all extremely gratifying to be able to go and have an opportunity to be there. … You relish the opportunity. You don't know how often these come along.""