Austin Hays Appreciation Thread

[NashLumber]

A solid, hard-nosed Oriole with an arm many an opponent feared, and an occasional hot bat. Some defensive highlights will 

surely be in this thread. Good luck with PHI, but not too much. 

 

He was a family favorite. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QjqVV7VMuE

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HowAboutThat]

Godspeed, Austin. Enjoy the cheesesteaks!

Be Good, Ma Non Troppo!

Edited July 26 by HowAboutThat

[LockUpTheGunner]

Austin was a fun player to watch and a very classy guy. I absolutely love his defense. A future Orioles Hall of Famer? Maybe!

[fansince1988]

I think he is the last Oriole to hit a homerun into the LF Club Level at Camden Yards. The only Oriole to do so other than Manny, and Mark Reynolds. 

[DrinkinWithFermi]

Adios, Austin.

You were a good Oriole.

[interloper]

Good Oriole. Some fun moments. Took demotion well. Played hard. 

[Frobby]

I’m going to miss Austin a lot.  He always played 100%.  He really enjoyed playing the game, you could tell.  When he did something good, you could see how happy he was.   And, he suffered through all the terrible years and finally got to see the team come out the other side.   He and his wife also were very active in the community and very charitable.   

I would have been disappointed for Hays if he’d been traded to some lousy team.  I think Philly is a great opportunity for him and will root for him to get more playing time and show what he can do.   
 
Farewell to a class act.  
 

[glenn__davis]

Hays was a good Oriole who at times was one of the only reasons to watch during some of the darker years.  He still has the ability to get on a hot streak and I hope he does for the Phillies, at least until we see them in the World Series.  

[glenn__davis]

Have we had an appreciation thread get locked yet?  Looks like we're well on our way.

[Frobby]

3 minutes ago, glenn__davis said:

Have we had an appreciation thread get locked yet?  Looks like we're well on our way.

It really irks me when people don’t respect the purpose of an appreciation thread.  

[Too Tall]

Can we please not let an appreciation thread spiral into the abyss. Hays does not deserve that!!!! Will miss Cowboy Hays. Played hard and wore his feelings for all to see. When he was on, he was fun to watch. Wish him well unless we meet in the WS.

[Hank Scorpio]

Yeah, maybe you’re lost. This is an Austin Hays “appreciation” thread. If you don’t appreciate him then do everyone a favor and lock it up.

[Number5]

Good all-around player.  Glad we had him.  Good luck in Philly!

[Spakman]

Definitely gonna miss this guy he played so hard all the time and that’s why he was injured quite a bit. The wall basically killed his career in Baltimore. Even if the peripherals don’t state this, it had to be a huge mental roadblock. Wish him the best unless we see him in the World Series.

[spiritof66]

Hays was one of my favorites when the Orioles didn't have much to cheer for. I had a lot of posts in game threads that read "Say, Hays," with little if anything more. He always played hard despite the team's and his own adversity. It appears he was a very active force for good in the community.

I had hoped over the last couple of years that he could regain his effectiveness, but it seems that the injuries, playing through injuries and age have permanently diminished his skills and (along with the expansion of LF) his power. I hope he gets to play some and has a great season but a lousy World Series against Burnes, GRod, Kremer, and a another really good starter.