"The start of every baseball season is a foray into the great unknown.

Despite all the sophisticated statistics at the fingertips of every manager and general manager, despite track records of players that sometimes go back more than a decade, despite watching players for six weeks in spring training, predicting the way a player will perform, let alone his entire team, can be an exercise in futility.

Take Travis Hafner. The Indians' designated hitter was one of the most feared run-producers in the major leagues four years ago, before a shoulder injury disrupted his career. Now that Hafner is presumably healthy, the Tribe needs him to resume bashing from the middle of the lineup.

But will he? Not even he knows. What's the secret to turning around his career and regaining his lethal swing?

''If you find it, let me know,'' Hafner said. ''I'm just trying to use my hands better at the plate. I want to keep things simple and ultimately be consistent.''

Manager Manny Acta professes to have no concerns about Hafner's ability to produce. When it was suggested that Hafner hasn't hit the ball with much authority in spring training, Acta said, ''He just hit a home run [Saturday night].''

True, but it was his first of the spring, and it was only one swing. Hafner has had his share of hits in the exhibition season, but more often than not they've been soft singles to the outfield or ground balls through the infield.

''He's fine,'' insisted Acta. ''I'm not worried about Hafner. I think if he stays healthy and plays more often than he did the past couple of years, I expect him to hit 25 home runs and have 95-100 RBI.''

There is no reason to disagree with Acta. On the other hand, Hafner hasn't shown enough to support the manager's sunny outlook, except that his right shoulder has given him no reason to say ouch.

Even last season, two years after surgery to clean out the shoulder joint, Hafner was being treated gingerly because of shoulder ''fatigue.'' Acta said that sort of caution no longer is necessary."