Travis ("Pronk") Hafner played in Major League Baseball as a designated hitter and first baseman for 12 seasons. A left-handed hitter, Hafner played for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and New York Yankees. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of 2003 when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times "Donkey" for the way he looked when running the bases. With Don Mattingly he shares the MLB-record for grand slams in one season (6).
Pronk was born in Jamestown, ND in 1977 and attended a small high school which did not have a baseball program. He was valedictorian of his high school class of eight students. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 31st round of the 1996 draft. In the winter of 2002, the Rangers traded Hafner to the Indians. Hafner had a breakout offensive season in 2004; as the primary DH in the Indians' line-up, he finished the season in the top ten in the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, doubles, extra base hits, RBIs and batting average.
In 2006, Hafner hit home runs in six straight games from September 18–24, the second longest such streak in Cleveland history. After the season, the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America named him Indians Man of the Year and he finished fifth in the AL MVP voting.
On February 1, 2013, Hafner signed with the Yankees. Despite batting 318 in April, Hafner faltered later in the season and suffered rotator cuff inflammation.
Travis and his wife, Amy, have three sons and reside in Tampa, FL. He currently serves the Cleveland Indians as a special assistant.
