For the second straight day, Hafner is MIA. Yes, I know, he pinch hit the previous day and hit into a double play by hitting it about 6 inches. Today, Victor wasn't in the lineup, so the indians needed another power hitter, instead of going to Hafner, they went to David Dellucci. Yes, David Dellucci. I hope you've noticed how many times I've said Hafner, and not Pronk. Pronk was Hafner's alter ego from 2004-2006. Then something happened, he turned back into Travis Hafner, the 31st round pick from a small town in North Dakota. So what did happen? I've heard things like he was on the juice and now doesn't have the same power he used to. I also heard that pitchers know how to pitch him now and he hasn't adjusted. I just don't buy this. Hafner has always been a monster, I can't see him taking steroids. And he's been around since 2003, and progressively gotten better until the end of 06, so he gave the pitchers plenty of time to adjust, and he kept on rolling. So my thinking is the fact that Hafner was hit by a pitch from Mark Buerhle in the eye in mid 2005, but he was able to rebound from that and finish with a strong 05 and a great 06. But, in late August 2006 he was hit by a pitch from C.J. Wilson on the wrist/hand and missed the rest of the season. He came back in 07 and just didn't look the same. His power numbers and average significantly dropped and his hands arent driving through the zone like he used to. He is no longer the feared monster Pronk that every one was afraid of in 05 and 06, now he is just Travis Hafner, who is hitting .207 and trying way too hard. He just needs to take it easy, shoot the ball to left and center and stop trying to pull the crap out of the ball (Same goes for Asdrubal). So will Hafner come back this season, I don't know. I think he should take a trip to the DL, rehab, figure exactly what is wrong, I still think it's the wrist, or lack of confidence. But something needs to be done because I miss the Pronk badly and am not a fan of this Travis Hafner fellow.
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