MILWAUKEE -- Trevor Hoffman privately finalized his new contract with the Brewers nearly two weeks ago. All that remained was the public introduction.

The team chose its "Brewers On Deck" event to unveil Hoffman as its new closer, holding a public press conference on the packed convention floor at Milwaukee's Midwest Airlines Center. For the first time in nearly 16 years, baseball's all-time saves leader donned a jersey Saturday that didn't have "Padres" or "San Diego" stitched across the chest.

"Getting an opportunity to be the new kid on the block is invigorating," said Hoffman, who at 41 is preparing for a new chapter in a long career that almost certainly will lead to the Hall of Fame.

Hoffman is the new kid on the Brewers' block because that team worked harder to lure him out of free agency. Hoffman finalized a deal worth $6 million on Jan. 13 that includes $1.5 million in incentives for games finished.

He chose Milwaukee's offer over a similar deal with the Dodgers, whom many felt held an advantage because Hoffman grew up in the Los Angeles area and now makes his home in San Diego North County. But the Brewers pushed hard for his services, and Hoffman heard not only from general manager Doug Melvin, but manager Ken Macha and outfielder Mike Cameron, who all urged Hoffman to consider a move to the Midwest. He said he also spoke with Brewers head athletic trainer Roger Caplinger, who assured Hoffman that the Brewers would adapt to Hoffman's own workout regimen.

"This was the right choice because of the people I was able to talk to," Hoffman said. "Mr. Melvin reached out while he was on vacation to communicate with me that he feels strongly about this ballclub. Mr. Macha gave me a call as well to reiterate those things.

"Roger, the head trainer here, was an important factor in my decision. I have some things that I am used to doing and that I think are imperative to being ready mentally and physically for when you go out on the field. It was something that fit."

Hoffman also called his conversation with Cameron, a Padres teammate in 2006 and 2007, "a big factor." Cameron downplayed his role.

"He had to make his own decision," Cameron said. "I just kind of put some good things in his ear. I told him the truth, to be honest with you. That's how I tried to do it."

Hoffman is instantly the Brewers' most senior player, and he was not necessarily the team's first choice to close. The Brewers might have been players for former Cubs righty Kerry Wood had he not signed so early with the Indians, and they also met briefly with the agent for left-hander Brian Fuentes, who instead desired to remain close to home and signed with the Angels.

The Brewers initially thought Hoffman similarly intended to remain on the West Coast, even after it became clear that his tenure with the Padres was over. He shares the same agent as Fuentes -- Rick Thurman, who assured Melvin that Hoffman's interest in Milwaukee was sincere. His choice quickly came down to the Brewers and Dodgers.

Hoffman would not say much about the Dodgers' offer, only that it was "similar" to Milwaukee's. He downplayed the perception of the Dodgers' geographical advantage.

"When you're going to play somewhere else, it could be an hour away drive or a four-hour flight, you're still leaving home," he said.

Hoffman acknowledged that some Brewers fans might have reservations about his age, calling it "an obvious question." But Brewers officials believe he can still be effective at 41 for a number of reasons, including the fact he didn't start pitching until 1991, the fact his signature changeup means less wear and tear on his arm, and the fact he's religious about his workout regimen.

Macha learned that final point firsthand on Friday. He was at Miller Park for meetings with coaches, and as he was leaving, he passed Hoffman, who was arriving for a workout.

"I like to work out because I want to beat Father Time myself," Macha said. "I think he's doing the same thing."

Hoffman's introductory press conference helped kick-start the "On Deck" event, which drew more than 10,000 fans to the Midwest Airlines Center, including some who began lining up in the frigid weather at 5 a.m. CT to have prime spots in line for autographs when the doors opened at 10 a.m.

The event included opportunities for fans to ask questions of Melvin and assistant general manager Gord Ash, plus Brewers coaches and players. There were autograph and photo sessions, field instruction with former Brewers Gorman Thomas and Ken Sanders, and other interactive games.

It came the day after "Bob Uecker's Winter Warm-Up," a variety-style show with comedy skits and interviews at the Riverside Theater. It was at that event that Hoffman actually made his Milwaukee debut, fittingly closing the show by taking the stage to his signature song, AC/DC's "Hells Bells." Hoffman confirmed that he will continue to enter games to that song, along with the headline "Trevor Time" on the scoreboards at Miller Park.

"Miller Time and Trevor Time, that sounds pretty good together," Hoffman said.