August
26, 2005
Proving last year was not a fluke,
former Cowley College All-American and current Cleveland Indians’ slugger
Travis Hafner is once again tormenting opposing pitchers with his bat.
Despite having played in only 103
of the Indians’ 128
games, Hafner ranks in the top 20 of eight offensive categories in the
American League. He is second to only Jason Giambi in the AL in on-base
percentage (.417) and his .319 batting average ranks third in the AL
behind only Texas’ Michael Young (.326) and Boston’s Johnny
Damon (.327). He also ranks third in the AL in doubles (34), and slugging
percentage (.575).
Hafner also ranks among the league leaders in home
runs (20), runs batted in (77), intentional walks (five), and times hit
by a pitch (eight).
Hafner missed 17 games with a concussion, yet is on
pace for his second 100 RBI season in just his second full season in
the major leagues. The Indians are 13-5 since Hafner returned from the
disabled list on Aug. 4.
Last season, in 140 games, Hafner batted .311 with
28 home runs, 41 doubles, and 109 runs batted in. This year, he has helped
the Indians to a record of 71-57 and a share of the lead in the race for
the AL Wild Card. Cleveland is tied with Oakland and the New York Yankees,
who are both 70-56.
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