Non-All-Star Hafner Sets First-Half and Team Records
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Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner became the first player in major league history to hit five grand slams before the All-Star break when he connected in the second inning against Baltimore on Friday night.
Hafner homered off Kris Benson to give the Indians a 6-0 lead. It also broke the club record for grand slams in a season that Hafner shared with Al Rosen, who hit four in 1951.
The 29-year-old Hafner is the fourth player to hit five grand slams in a season. Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees set the major-league record with six in 1987. Jim Gentile of the Orioles (1961) and Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs (1955) both hit five.
Hafner, who was not selected to play in next week's All-Star Game in Pittsburgh despite being one of the finalists for the last spot on the AL roster, is 7-for-10 with five homers and 25 RBI with the bases loaded this season. He entered Friday's game hitting .319 with 24 homers and 70 RBI.
Lou Gehrig (1934), Sid Gordon (1950), Gentile (1961) and Jim Northrup (1968) all hit four grand slams before the All-Star break.
The Indians led Baltimore 9-0 at press time.
Source
- ESPN.com
Date
Fri 07/07/06, 5:35 pm EST
