"The Braves' Billy Wagner was pulling hard for Trevor Hoffman to reach his record 600th career save Tuesday night and not just as a respecting observer and fellow closer. As a friend.

Wagner, 38, who is fifth on the all-time list with 417 saves, struck up a friendship with Hoffman over their years together in the National League. He took him out to dinner in July when the Brewers were in Atlanta.

"It's good to hear his perspective too because he makes things look so easy," Wagner said. "When you do get the opportunity to sit and hear him, you think, 'Wow he has the same apprehensions I do.' He just makes it look a whole lot easier."

What makes Hoffman's feat so impressive, Wagner said, is that he did it with an 88 mph fastball to go with that dominant changeup. That's why Wagner said regardless of when and if the Yankees' Mariano Rivera gets to 600 saves (he's at 555 and counting), there's only one Hoffman."