Thursday, September 22, 2005
Pronk Power
If looks could kill, then Paul Nauert would be six feet under by now.
Nauert was the home plate umpire on Tuesday night. He was the one who called strike two on a pitch that Travis Hafner described to be "two feet outside [the plate]."
When Hafner popped out moments later, with two runners on, he whirled and glared at Nauert. Hafner's face was fixed with disgust. He had been wronged, and the Chicago White Sox--already on his list for a July beanball--would pay the price.
An unhappy Hafner is the Indians' most dangerous weapon; one their lineup has coveted since Jim Thome fled to Philly on a spending spree in 2002.
Dealing for Hafner that December did not appear to be a shrewd swap then, but it has the looks of a steal now. Mark Shapiro received Hafner and Aaron Myette in exchange for Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese. Those two had no future in the organization. Hafner is now a cornerstone, after following his 28 HR, 109 RBI in 2004 with an encore of 30 HR, 100 RBI (and couting.)
By now, you know his teammtes call him "Pronk" (part project-part donkey). But after he launched 4 home runs in 3 games against the White Sox this week, I'm guessing they call him other things in the Windy City.
Goodnight, Chicago. Travis Hafner just put you to bed. Paul Nauert got off easy.
Caught a case of Indians Fever yet? Let me know about it with an e-mail to chandler@newsnet5.com
Nauert was the home plate umpire on Tuesday night. He was the one who called strike two on a pitch that Travis Hafner described to be "two feet outside [the plate]."
When Hafner popped out moments later, with two runners on, he whirled and glared at Nauert. Hafner's face was fixed with disgust. He had been wronged, and the Chicago White Sox--already on his list for a July beanball--would pay the price.
An unhappy Hafner is the Indians' most dangerous weapon; one their lineup has coveted since Jim Thome fled to Philly on a spending spree in 2002.
Dealing for Hafner that December did not appear to be a shrewd swap then, but it has the looks of a steal now. Mark Shapiro received Hafner and Aaron Myette in exchange for Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese. Those two had no future in the organization. Hafner is now a cornerstone, after following his 28 HR, 109 RBI in 2004 with an encore of 30 HR, 100 RBI (and couting.)
By now, you know his teammtes call him "Pronk" (part project-part donkey). But after he launched 4 home runs in 3 games against the White Sox this week, I'm guessing they call him other things in the Windy City.
Goodnight, Chicago. Travis Hafner just put you to bed. Paul Nauert got off easy.
Caught a case of Indians Fever yet? Let me know about it with an e-mail to chandler@newsnet5.com
Posted at 6:33 PM
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