The name still invokes memories of joy in Philadelphia. In fact, let’s let Deanna Rubin (no relation), the sponsor of Hayes’ Baseball-Reference.com page, sum up how the City of Philadelphia feels about Von Francis Hayes.
"Growing up in Philly in the late 80's, I remember everyone calling him "Five for One", but for me, Von Hayes was the guy who hit two home runs for my birthday. He was always my favorite player as a kid. Plus, the funny name didn't hurt. :)"
Ms. Rubin is of course referring to the Philadelphia Phillies 1983 fleecing of the Cleveland Indians where Mr. Hayes was acquired in exchange for Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Jay Baller, Jerry Willard, and Julio Franco. The logic is infallible as Mr. Hayes was coming off a rookie season where he batted .250, hit 14 Home Runs, Drove in 82 runs and swiped 32 bags, finishing 7th in rookie of the year voting. Hence forth, Mr. Hayes would be known as "Five for One".
In addition to inspiring Philadelphians (sp?) to sponsor web pages in his honor, Mr. Hayes has inspired a character on the NBC Hit Television series "Chuck" appropriately named, Von Hayes. Fans of local lo-fi indie rock bands will no doubt recognize the local lo-fi indie rock band, Von Hayes. (Click here for more info on Von Hayes) Von Hayes is responsible for such hits as "Drunk Uncles", "Animal Globes", "Blue Smash Package"' and the literal hit, "Everyone Likes My 3 Dollar Shirt".
After his retirement, Mr. Hayes tried to enter the cutthroat world of boat sales. After a briefly dabbling as a boat salesman, Mr. Hayes found out that it was difficult to sell boats and set forth on an odyssey of various minor league managing posts while fulfilling his lifetime dream of "seeing America".
The real Von Hayes will gladly take his place in the annals of Major League Baseball History as the first player to hit two home runs in the first inning of a game.
To Von Hayes and your ever intimidating eye black: we miss you, we love you.
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