Travis Hafner

While in high school in Sykeston, North Dakota, Travis Hafner attended an Atlanta Braves tryout camp. Though he impressed the scouts, he did not think he was ready to sign a professional contract so a Braves scout gave him a list of five junior colleges to consider. Hafner contacted the schools and chose the only one that would not guarantee him a starting position – Cowley College in Arkansas City.

As a freshman in 1996, he led Cowley to a 51-13 record and their first ever trip to the NJCAA World Series. As a sophomore Hafner and the Tigers were even better – 53-11 and the first of back-to-back NJCAA championships. He hit a three-home run in the title game, a 4-3 win over Seminole State (OK) College, and was named World Series Most Valuable Player.

Hafner was honored as a third team All-American in 1997. That season he drove in a school record 82 runs. He holds Cowley records for career RBIs (161) and doubles (36). He was drafted by Texas in 31st round and signed with the Rangers.

After six years in the Rangers’ minor league system, Hafner made his major league debut in August of 2002 but was traded to Cleveland following the season. In Cleveland, he played for Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame manager Eric Wedge and got the chance to play as a regular at first base / designated hitter.

Hafner had a breakout season in 2004, hitting .311 with 28 home runs and 109 RBIs. He received American League Most Valuable Player votes as the Indians improved from 68 to 80 wins. The next season, Cleveland won 93 as Hafner hit .305 with 33 homers and 108 RBIs. He was fifth in the AL MVP voting.

In 2006, Hafner was eighth in AL MVP voting and led the league in slugging percentage (.659) as he hit 42 home runs to go along with a .308 average and 117 RBIs, despite missing the last month of the season with a hand injury.

During this time Hafner became a fan favorite in Cleveland, thanks in part to his nickname, bestowed by a teammate – “Pronk” – “part project, part donkey.” At Jacobs Field, there was a “Pronkville” section in the outfield. A chocolate “Pronk Bar” was sold in Cleveland, along with “Pronk Beef Jerky.”

In 2007 Cleveland made the postseason, beat the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series, but lost to eventual World Series champion Boston in the American League Championship Series. Hafner hit home runs in both the ALDS and ALCS and drove in 100 runs for the season.

Hafner missed most of the 2008 season with injuries and never regained his peak form. In 2013, he signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees and retired following the season. For his twelve-year career, he hit .273 with 213 home runs, the most by an MLB player born in North Dakota.

Hafner and his family live in Tampa, Florida.

For more, read Travis Hafner’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.