Von Hayes Sets High Goals for Third Season With Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies obtained Von Hayes from the Cleveland Indians before the 1983 season in a five-for-one trade but his performance that year had fans wondering if team officials had problems with arithmetic.

Hayes, faced with the pressure of justifying a deal in which the Phillies gave up popular second baseman Manny Trillo, faltered in the field and at the plate, hitting only .265 with six home runs and 32 RBIs. Fans were critical, saying Hayes was not worth one player, let alone five.

Last season, however, Hayes, feeling more at home with the Phillies and Veterans Stadium crowds, hit .292 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs, and added 48 stolen bases for good measure.

“My first year was a situation of my not knowing the organization and not knowing myself,” Hayes said. “Last season, I was a lot more comfortable with the organization and myself as a player and I hope that can carry through to this year.”

In 1985, Hayes said he will continue to aim for the goals he has set for himself--to bat .300, hit at least 20 homers, bat in 80 runs and steal 50 or more bases. In his career, he has reached one of his goals once--getting 82 RBIs with Cleveland in 1982.

“The only pressure I put on myself is to reach the goals I set for myself,” Hayes said. “I have yet to get any of them, except for the RBIs one year, so in that regard, I have something to look forward to and to strive for.”