Hafner's bat sizzling

The designated hitter leads the American League with four homers.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- As Travis Hafner retold how he hit his first career grand slam into the teeth of a 28 mph wind on opening day for the umpteenth time, Indians third baseman Casey Blake decided to tell the real story.
"No wind can stop 'The Pronk'," Blake yelled, mimicking Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Terminator" character and referring to Hafner's nickname.
So far this season, pitchers haven't been able to slow 'The Pronk', either.
Hafner is on an early season tear, and the Indians day off on Tuesday finally gave him some well-deserved rest.
Big numbers
With his grand slam in Cleveland's 6-3 win over Minnesota on Monday, Hafner took over the American League lead with four home runs. In his first eight games, he also has nine RBIs, is batting .400 and leads the league in total bases (25) and slugging percentage (1.000).
More importantly, though, Hafner has shown signs of becoming the type of power hitter the Indians have desperately needed since Jim Thome's departure.
Hafner has even surprised himself with his quick start.
"I've always been a real slow starter," he said, "so this is a nice change."
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Hafner could pass as an NFL middle linebacker or pro wrestler, which, by the way, would be just fine with the 26-year-old pro wrestling aficionado who seems to enjoy recalling Hulk Hogan's best moves in the ring more than discussing what pitch he hit over the wall in Jacobs Field.
Oh, and the Pronk moniker? It stands for "part project, part donkey," Hafner says with a laugh. "A lot of people ask me about that now."
Replacement challenge
For Hafner, that's better than being constantly asked if he can replace Thome.
Almost since the moment he arrived in Cleveland via a trade with Texas in December 2002, Hafner has been compared to Thome, the popular first baseman who broke the hearts of Indians fans by signing with Philadelphia as a free agent following the '02 season.
There are similarities between Hafner and Thome. Both are big men. Both have big swings. Both play first base. And both are patient hitters with a knack for driving the ball to left field.
But until Hafner hits 40 homers -- he had 14 in 91 games a year ago-- that's where the comparisons to Thome end.
Hafner deftly avoids the Thome talk as if he's laying off a tempting outside fastball. The resident of tiny Sykeston, N.D., (pop. 153) knows he can't carry the Indians.
Not yet.
Team player
"We talk about having an offense that produces one through nine," said Hafner, repeating one of manager Eric Wedge's favorite lines. "I'm just excited to be part of a team where everybody contributes."
But wouldn't it be nice to hit 40 homers?
"I'm not really thinking about that stuff," Hafner said.
The Indians, though, can't help but think about what effect Hafner could have on their light-hitting lineup. They're desperate for a fearsome presence in the middle of the order, someone who can drive in runs and hit the occasional long ball.
On Monday, Hafner flexed his muscles with a homer that, for 42,424 fans, was vintage Thome.
Hafner turned on a 1-0 pitch from Twins starter Kyle Lohse, driving it through the stiff wind and over the right-field wall to give the Indians a 4-0 lead.
After he returned to the dugout, the crowd called him out for a curtain call -- another career first for him.
"It's one of those kind of moments you dream of as a kid," Hafner said.
And the kind Thome made routine at the Jake.
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