Longtime big league slugger Travis Hafner has agreed to join the coaching staff of Division II Notre Dame College, according to reports from Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com (via Twitter) and a press release posted on the school's website. As Cotillo notes, however, it is not yet clear what Hafner's agreement means for his playing career.
The left-handed swinging DH is now 36 years of age. He spent last year in pinstripes, putting up a .202/.301/.378 line and 12 home runs in 299 plate appearances for the Yankees. Hafner's best season at the plate came in 2006, when he put up a monster .308/.439/.659 campaign with 42 long balls to lead the league in slugging and OPS.
Hafner has not seen time in the field since way back in 2007, which does limit his usefulness to MLB clubs at this stage of his career. His career triple-slash stands at a robust .273/.376/.498 in 4,782 plate appearances, over which he also hit 213 home runs.
I think it’s safe to assume he is retiring, MLBTR.
Very good hitter, just couldn’t stay healthy. Completely fell apart by the time he was 30. Crazy, considering the stories I have heard about his game regiment. He works very hard in the locker room while his team is playing, and then comes out for his ab.