It’s Travis Hafner day around the Indians beat!
MLB.com Indians beat writer Anthony Castrovince and Plain Dealer reporter Paul Hoynes wrote articles detailing Hafner’s comeback this season.
Castrovince went a bit more indepth for his article, while Hoynes kept it as the topper for his notes.
However, both stories had the same undertone: Travis has done nothing on the field yet, but it’s great he is actually on the field.
Does that optimism offer any real hope for Indians fans until Hafner can prove he can still play?
The national media is even getting into the act. ESPN baseball columnist Jerry Crasnick chimed in with this piece about Hafner.
And last, but certainly not least, our very own Sheldon Ocker featured Josh Barfield today.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I sure hope Wedge and Shapiro are not pinning their hopes on Hafner supplying ANY offense for this team. Far, far more often than not since the 2nd half of 2006, his presence in the lineup has been a severe liability. He’s an automatic out, usually via strikeout or weak ground ball. It’s as if he has completely forgotten how to hit. The power? That’s looooong gone.
People who think this was just a 2008 issue need to look back at his previous “off” season and total lack of power in spring training 2007. Does it all go back to the collision he had with that White Sox player, when he spent weeks on the DL? It’s been a steady downhill slide from that point. Sadly, he suckered Shapiro into a big deal when his production was nil, or he would not even have a place on this roster. Think of the young talented stars this big lug is keeping in the minors, while we’re saddled with his salary and strikeouts. It’s robbery.