Flashback Friday: Travis Hafner's Cleveland Indians Legacy

On this edition of Flashback Friday we are taking a look at one of the strongest men to ever put on an Indians uniform and another fan favorite of the early 2000s... Pronk aka Travis Hafner.

Over his 10 years in a Tribe uniform Hafner blasted 200 homers and accrued almost 700 RBI as well as finishing in the Top 10 for American League MVP in back to back seasons. Since it took Hafner so long to make his debut, first appearing at age 25 for the Texas Rangers before coming over to the Indians, Hafner will
never be in the “all time great” power hitters conversation. However, I would make the argument that Pronk would certainly be in the very next tier.

Hafner’s 200 homers rank ninth all-time in an Indians uniform amongst the likes of Jim Thome, Albert Belle,and Manny Ramirez. He ranks 13th all time amongst the Indians at .890 and his 688 RBI are good enough for 15th best amongst Cleveland players.

In 2006 Hafner’s best season he hit .308 with career highs in homers (42) and RBI (117), he also lead the American League in slugging percentage (.659) and OPS (1.097). That year he also lead all of baseball in OPS+ (181), for reference the Major League average is 100 meaning Pronk was almost twice as good as the average major league player.

Similar to Grady Sizemore, it is incredibly hard to tell the story of the early aughts teams without mentioning Travis Hafner and his long majestic home runs. Even when you go to games today Progressive Field is lousy with Hafner jerseys. Unfortunately outside of Cleveland the story of Hammerin Hafner is largely unknown, he was never an all star and he will never be in anybody’s Mount Rushmore.

There is no question, however, that he is a first ballot Indians Hall of Famer, and the legend of Pronk and his weightlifting feats will live on forever at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.