Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman defends 'old-school' Padres-Dodgers rivalry after bench-clearing incident

Baseball Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman talks to Fox News Digital about the heated Dodgers-Padres rivalry.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres wrote the latest chapter in their rivalry when the dugouts cleared after Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch last week. 

Padres manager Mike Shildt stormed out of the dugout and started yelling toward the Dodgers dugout, prompting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to confront Shildt. The two managers were nose to nose for a moment before being separated. 

Baseball Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman participated in the rivalry as a member of the Padres for nearly 16 seasons. Hoffman works as a senior advisor to baseball operations with the Padres. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, center, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts yell at each other after the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch during the ninth inning June 19, 2025, in Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Hoffman, 57, talked to Fox News Digital about how the rivalry between the Dodgers and Padres has an "old-school feel."

"(The benches clearing is) an extension to how heated this rivalry has become. It’s really a measuring stick of where your team is at. It’s passionate, guys care about winning games on both sides and sometimes these things happen," Hoffman told Fox News Digital. 

BENCHES CLEAR AS DODGERS-PADRES RIVALRY BOILS OVER IN HEATED SHOWDOWN AFTER FERNANDO TATIS JR. GETS DRILLED

"It’s a little bit of an old-school feel, and I know there are rules in place to try and curtail some things like this going on. But when you are playing high-level baseball, and you are trying to win ballgames, these things will happen and, honestly, I