DETROIT — Pronk is going back to the Jake.
Travis Hafner was the happiest Yankee of all about this trip making a stop in Cleveland for four games, as he returns home today after spending 10 years in the Indians organization. The slugger ranks eighth on Cleveland’s all-time list with 200 home runs, and his 187 home runs and 650 RBIs as a DH are club records.
Hafner, who is married and has two children, lives in Cleveland so this is an all-around homecoming for him, and he expects to get a warm welcome from the crowd at today’s home opener for the Indians.
The DH picked up two more hits for the Yankees yesterday in their 7-0 victory over the Tigers, and is batting .350.
Hafner, who grew up in North Dakota, said his best memories of Cleveland include “making the playoffs in 2007; that was probably the big thing there; had some really good seasons there. It’s a great atmosphere there. You know everybody, my home’s there, and a lot of good memories. I get to stay at home, see a lot of people, it will be good.’’
Think of Hafner as the other end of the spectrum from Nick Swisher, who has been looking forward to this matchup with his former club since he signed with the Indians. Hafner, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Yankees, does not get too excited about anything.
“When you’re in baseball long enough, you’re used to switching teams and different teammates and stuff like that,’’ Hafner said.
Saddled by injuries last season, he said the Indians showed some interest in him returning, “but it was kind of late and I was already set on coming [to the Yankees],’’ Hafner said.
Hafner is not overly concerned about the Yankees’ 2-4 start.
“We just need to play better all the way around,’’ he said. “I don’t think we’ve played bad, but we just need to play better and start winning games. We’ve got guys who have been around a long time. This is a good clubhouse. It seems like everybody has known everybody from somewhere before. I’m really enjoying it here.’’
When he was asked if there is anyone in particular he is looking forward to seeing today, he smiled and said, “Well, my wife and kids are back there.’’
At the ballpark, he said he’s looking forward to meeting with “just everybody. I’ve known the front office for a long time, teammates, and clubhouse workers and guys that work at the stadium that I’ve become good friends with, just a bunch of people [it will] be good to see.’’