Yardbarker: Travis Hafner

What the Hell Were You Thinking? Travis Hafner Edition

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

*Over the next couple of weeks, Jorge Says No! will take an in depth look at some of the worst contracts in baseball. We'll evaluate why the player was signed, what went wrong, and future implications of the contract. Behind every bone head decision, there has to be a reason for it...right?*Why Re-Sign Hafner: There are plenty of reasons why the Indians wanted to give Hafner a contract extension. From 2004-2006, Hafner was one of the best hitters in the AL and gave the Indians fantastic p...

BBA AL MVP Award

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:37:00 -0500

So the Cleveland Indians haven't had a legit MVP candidate since Travis Hafner's awesomeness a few years ago.

If Grady Sizemore is healthy and this team can contend, he'd be up there.

But I can't really make any Indians comparisons here, so let's just get into the voting.

Here is the final award for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance award voting.

In a landslide, Zack Greinke took home the AL Cy Young Award. As if you didn't see that coming.

The MVP voting is a different animal as we get ten slots. I'll keep the remarks brief.

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10. Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE

What? I have ten votes, why not spend one on an Indian? This team would realistically suck even worse without Cabrera.

9. Miguel Cabrera, DET

Despite getting drunk and getting into an argument with his wife, he really was the Tigers core player on offense.

8. Bobby Abreau, LAA

You know this team really took on a different sort of identity with his addition. I'll throw him a bone.

7. Aaron Hill, TOR

Dude went from having a concussion and possibly a lost career to being an absolute mammoth. And he's some shrimp that plays second base? How does someone like him hit 36 home runs? Makes me think I'm almost good enough to make a minor league roster somewhere, anywhere. I love baseball.

6. Evan Longoria, TB

I think eventually, maybe as soon as next year, Longoria will be a lock for the top five year in and year out.

5. Jason Bay, BOS

There was one point in the season that J-Bay was hitting everything insight and knocking in all the runners ahead of him.

4. Derek Jeter, NYY

I'd like to barf now.

3. Kendry Morales, LAA

Who saw this coming? Apparently the Angels as they had the balls to let Tex walk and replace him with this stud for a way cheaper price.

2. Mark Teixeira, NYY

Offensively and defensively he really changed the Yankees. Perhaps his offensive presence also has enabled A-Rod to be the jerk he has been in the playoffs.

His defense though has boosted that team way up.

1. Joe Mauer, MIN

I might riot if this guy doesn't win the real MVP award. He missed a month and still managed to lead the free-world in average, OBP and hit his career high in home runs and RBI.

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There is way too much I want to talk about for the manager job, so check out the other post.

Travis Hafner, Homeruns and Andy Marte

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:44:06 -0500

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP Travis trots. Browse more photos » The argument has been made that September statistics are fundamentally different than statistics from the rest of the year. There's an obvious logic to this: as rosters expand and teams are eliminated, more, worse players begin to both pitch and hit as team's evaluate young players, give starts to AAA veterans and everyone general...

Travis Hafner Fatigued, Shutdown Imminent?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:58 -0500

Travis Hafner is posting a surprisingly good line thus far in 2009. Aside from the fact that he’s still playing - something that many felt would not be the case at this point in the season - he is hitting .278/.353/.492 (.845 OPS). These numbers are a dramatic improvement off of last season, where he had an [...]

This One’s On You, Pronk

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:00:25 -0500

I’d say this season I’ve been pretty patient with Travis Hafner. He is coming off of his worst season as a pro, and offseason shoulder surgery. Sure, the brass can tell me that he is still not 100% healthy, and cannot play in more than two consecutive games. You know what, it doesn’t mean anything [...]

Game Thread: August 13, 2009

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:01:23 -0500

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP Travis Hafner, a malicious sneer on his face, singles in last night's game. Browse more photos » Texas at Cleveland, 12:05 PM

Book Review: More Tales from the Tribe Dugout

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:50:41 -0500

Author Russell Schneider is well known to serious baseball fans around Cleveland from his coverage of the Indians in Cleveland newspapers for so many years. Now a freelance writer, Russell has put together two books of Tales from the Tribe Dugout. In the sequel to his first book, Schneider uncovers some not very well known stories about the Indians from various people who were once in the organization. No one is out of lines for Schneider in his journey to find the best stories on the Tribe as even the sons of former trainers were interviewed for this book.

Just as he did in the first version of this book, Russell does a good job introducing each player while still telling their unique story. The stories are presented in alphabetic order from the tale teller’s last name and come in various lengths. The book is truly a quick read as there are also some pictures intertwined to show fans what these players looked like just in case the readers weren’t around when those people were with the Indians.

Former catcher Andy Allanson is the first former member of the Tribe to have his name in print in this version of Russell’s work. Although his tale is not nearly as humorous as some of the others, it does illustrate why Allanson was not an Indian for very long as Russell accounts how Allanson demanded a larger contract after he was productive for just one season and the Indians were unable to give it to him after just one year’s worth of work.

While there are some unknowns featured in the book there are many fan favorites as well. Carlos Baerga, who became a household name in Northeast Ohio during the 1990s, looks back on the day the Indians traded him to the New York Mets by claiming that he was “shocked.” In retrospect though, Baerga does admit that it was probably the best thing for his life and the Indians’ franchise as he was able to find his footing after he left the Tribe.

Of course a book of Indians tales would not be complete without one from Rocky Colavito. There has been some claims around Cleveland that there is a curse of Rocky Colavito on the Tribe, much like the one Boston Red Sox may have had on them after trading Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Not surprisingly, one of Colavito’s tales looks back on the situation that happened when he was traded away from Cleveland despite being one of the best offensive talents the Indians had had in years.

One of the best stories in the book comes from coach Jeff Datz who recalls a time when current Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was the manager of the Indians. Datz claimed that there were many points when Manuel seemed to know what was going to happen next. If only he could have convinced the Tribe brass that he knew how to win, then perhaps he could have won a ring in Cleveland instead of Philadelphia.

It is rare when Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is not willing to talk openly about part of his career, and his comments in the book are no exception to this rule. Eckersley claims that he truly loved his time in Cleveland and that he actually cried when he was traded to Boston. Despite the fact that he went on to have a great career with the Red Sox and later with the Oakland Athletics, Eckersley stated that he always wondered how things would have worked out for him had he been an Indian for his entire career.

The biggest problem for former pitcher Ed Farmer when he made it to the big leagues was that his father had served as his publicity director. While his dad did not officially have that title, he had filled out all of Farmer’s paperwork and when the media asked what Farmer expected to do that year, he told them huge goals such as winning Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same year. Farmer claimed that he is still not sure how his teammates accepted him because of this.

Although former umpire Richie Garcia was never technically a member of the Indians, he is still featured in the book because of one of the players mentioned above. According to Garcia, he and Colavito had some bad blood brewing between them for no good reason at all. Garcia claims to have thrown Colavito from more games than he had ever thrown anyone else. He does however, tell the story of how the two eventually talked their differences out, further illustrating the power of America’s game.

Current Tribe slugger Travis Hafner is also featured in the book and he tells the now well known story of how he was given the nickname “Pronk” when he was in the minor leagues. He also tells a humorous account of a time when he hit for the cycle and he felt like he was flying around the basis for his triple only to claim when he watched the tape that he must be one of the slowest people in baseball history.

Overall, Schneider’s book is interesting for all fans of baseball, but obviously holds true to more of those who know something about the history of the Indians than those who do not. That said, most baseball fans can appreciate entertaining stories about the game of baseball no matter where they are coming from. Even though it is a book about members of the Indians, many of the stories are accounts of players who were from different teams or who played for many different major league franchises.

The Grade: 3.75/5

Bill Jordan is a contributor to BaseballReflections.com. He can be reached by e-mail at BillJordaniv@yahoo.com.

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Homer Happy Hafner

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:22:29 -0500

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner was warmly greeted in the dugout by manager Clint Hurdle and teammates as he hit his first home run in Cactus League action, a blow that was instantly interpreted as a sign of his recovery from a more-than-yearlong slump.Hafner, 31, whose 2008 season was virtually lost due to shoulder soreness, has said he feels 100-percent healthy, but was batting only .225 during the spring, which he attributed to lost timing.Hafner hit the home run after a batting ca...

2009 Cleveland Indians Preview

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:08:46 -0500

The Blue Workhorse 2009 Outlook: After coming one game shy of the 2007 World Series, the Cleveland Indians came into the 2008 season hoping to get over the hump and reach the fall classic. Things definitely didn't work out that way as the Indians coasted to an 81-81 finish, traded away ace C.C. Sabathia, and lost sluggers Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez for significant portions of the season due to injuries. AND...more...including why the Hometown feels...The Cleveland Indians WILL win the World Series...

2008 Pre-Draft DH Cheat Sheet Rankings with Auction Values

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:43:08 -0500

Ah the DH's. The sometimes the lonely and forgotten position is filled with some excellent talent for the 2008 season. Big Papi leads the pack once again, and is really far and away the most talented out this bunch. The big question though concerning the DH's is whether or not Travis Hafner will regain his 2006 numbers? To me, I see him being a nice pick this year.

Eric Wedge, Cleveland Indians Manager Speaks Out

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:22:37 -0500

Eric Wedge, Cleveland Indians Manager speaks out at the Winter Meetings about the 2007 and what to look for in the 2008 season

Could Some One Clarify The Strike Zone?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:50:20 -0500

As most of you have read my posts you know I am a homer! I love the Red Sox no doubt. So please don't take this is a rant or an excuse. But what was home plate umpire Brian Gorman looking at last night...clearly about 12 pitches to both the Red Sox and Indians were AWFUL calls! Travis Hafner had two pitches called strikes that hung off the plate, and Coco crisp had a pitch that should have been ball four about 1 foot off the plate called a strike. Almost anytime a batter went 0-2 the next pitch regardless was a ball and almost every batter that went 3-0 it was called a strike. And if you don't believe me find a friend who has TIVO and go through the game like I just did and see for yourself. It was horrendous! I would have to say however the plays in the field were called great! The DP the Indians turned in the first was clearly an out and the DP the Red Sox almost turned in the 5th Hafner was safe. It's just sad to see poor pitch calls at the plate...I mean even Tim McCarver saw it and frankly that's a miracle in itself! I will say however the Indians once again took advantage of there opportunities and did things when they needed to. Been a good series so far and I hope my Red Sox can knuckle up here and do a bit better! Peace and Happiness, GO SOX! -Michael http://www.bosoxbuzz.com/ http://bosoxbuzz.blogspot.com/

Was Hafner's Deal a Good One?

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:09:34 -0500

In the negotiations rankings, I would say the Indians came out on top in this one, but Travis Hafner still has done very very well for himself. On top of the dollars, he has a chance to earn himself a lifelong membership into the Cleveland Sports Legacy Club. Ask Bernie Kosar or Jim Brown how loyal a following that that club has.

Next Time, There Won't Be A Next Time

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:11:27 -0500

Major League Baseball doesn't like your fantasy league and wants to put a stop to your unlicensed interest in their sport. Travis Hafner's name and statistics are their property and they will make sure that they can squeeze every last cent of profit out of them. You know, because they care about their fans. Luckily, they are the only people who think they're on the right side of this issue. Originally, baseball sued to have all unlicensed fantasy baseball leagues shut down because they believe that their players and their statistics are their sole property. On second thought, we don't want to get sued for using their names in our posts, so we'll just call Major League Baseball "Phil Leotardo" and refer to their players as "construction and union workers." So Phil Leotardo is upset because certain people are using their construction and union workers without approval from Phil. Phil took the matter to court and, luckily, the judges decided that they don't really have sole control over the construction and union workers' names and statistics. Phil appealed the ruling and the matter was heard today in an appeals court in St. Louis.

Legal or Not? You Decide!

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:20:34 -0500

Travis Hafner appears to be always outside of the batters box. Is this legal or no? Rules of the batters box state that if one foot is outside of the box and the ball is hit in play, the batter is out.