Hafner’s Bat Seems Back to Form this Spring
One of the big stories of camp these days seems to be the turnaround of Travis Hafner, who simply needs to have a better season for the Indians to take the next step. Pronk has an awful Spring in 2007, and no one thought much of it until the slump basically lasted most of the 07 season. Last year Travis hit just .266 (as compared to .308 the season before), with 24 homers (42 in 2006) and 100 RBI (117 in 06). Yes, good numbers, but really compared to the three seasons before that when he hit over .300 each year, 07 was a step back for Hafner.
Now it’s a new season, Hafner knows he’s sticking around with a deal during the 07 season, and it seems like he’s getting that lethal swing back. Consider that in the Spring last year he hit just .208 with three extra-base hits, and now this season he’s hitting .408 (6-for-15) with three doubles and six RBI. Realize it’s only spring, but at the same time it’s nice to see Pronk have some positive vibes to go on as the season is now less than three weeks away.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
