"Travis Hafner used to log several miles a season executing his home run trot. A section of the Progressive Field grandstand was known as Pronkville, because Hafner sailed so many balls over the wall and into the right-field seats.

Pronk was his nickname, and Hafner was building his legend in 2005 and 2006, when he hit a total of 75 homers.

He hit another Monday night. It was kind of an event. He hadn't hit one in 50 at-bats and the three-run blast gave the Indians a little wiggle room in what became a 6-3 win over the Tigers.

Hafner has hit 12 home runs this year. Lots of guys have hit fewer. But shouldn't he hit more? After an on-and-off slump in 2007 and shoulder surgery in 2008, maybe not. Manager Manny Acta still rests him every five days because of shoulder ''fatigue.''

Will Hafner ever return to being the feared home run hitter in the middle of the lineup?

''I think I can be a 25 to 30 home run guy,'' he said. ''The power is still there, so I think I can get back to that.''

His shoulder remains somewhat of an issue, though both he and Acta stress that the effects of the injury have lessened.

''I think he's coming back,'' the manager said. ''Last year, he couldn't play more than three games in a row. This year, he had no restrictions, but we still had to manage [the shoulder]. Now he's playing four or five times a week, and next year will be one more offseason from the injury. We think he can show up for camp with no restrictions.''

Acta understands that Hafner's numbers haven't lived up to the hopes of the fans.

''As far as production, I know he was expecting more,'' the manager said. ''Everyone was expecting more, but he's hit 29 or 30 doubles and double digits in home runs.''"