KFDM COOP Posted July 8, 2006 Report Posted July 8, 2006 Hafner hits fifth grand slam before ASB Indians' Hafner hits fifth grand slam July 7, 2006 CLEVELAND (AP) -- 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 Baltimore 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 RBIs with the bases loaded this season. He entered Friday's game hitting .319 with 24 homers and 70 RBIs. Lou Gehrig (1934), Sid Gordon (1950), Gentile (1961) and Jim Northrup (1968) all hit four grand slams before the All-Star break. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is unbelievable how guys like this do not make the All-Star team. Jon Hart has to ask himself if Einar Diaz was really worth it...
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