The Von Hayes Autographed 1988 Score #515 Philadelphia Phillies Card features one of the Philadelphia Phillies' most recognizable and productive players of the 1980s. A versatile outfielder and first baseman who combined power, speed, and consistent offensive production, Hayes spent nine seasons with Philadelphia, helping the franchise capture the 1983 National League pennant and earning National League All-Star honors in 1989.
This autographed card comes from the inaugural 1988 Score baseball card set, a landmark release that introduced collectors to a new major baseball card manufacturer. Known for its colorful designs, extensive player biographies, and detailed statistics, the 1988 Score set became an important part of baseball card collecting during the late 1980s.
Born on August 31, 1958, in Stockton, California, Von Francis Hayes developed into a talented athlete whose combination of hitting ability, speed, and defensive versatility attracted the attention of professional baseball scouts.
The Cleveland Indians selected Hayes in the seventh round of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft, beginning his professional baseball career.
Hayes advanced through Cleveland's minor league system, demonstrating the offensive potential that would eventually make him a regular Major League player.
He made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians on April 14, 1981, beginning a career that would extend through the 1992 season.
During his first two seasons with Cleveland, Hayes established himself as a promising young outfielder with the ability to contribute in several different areas of the game.
His combination of power, speed, and defensive versatility attracted the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies.
In December 1982, Philadelphia acquired Hayes in one of the most memorable trades in franchise history.
The Phillies sent Manny Trillo, Julio Franco, George Vukovich, Jay Baller, and Jerry Willard to Cleveland in exchange for Hayes.
The five-for-one transaction generated considerable attention and placed high expectations on Hayes as he joined Philadelphia.
The Phillies believed his athletic ability and offensive potential could make him an important part of the organization's future.
Hayes began his Philadelphia career in 1983, joining a veteran roster that included Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and Gary Matthews.
The Phillies captured the 1983 National League East championship, earning an opportunity to compete in the postseason.
Philadelphia defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series to capture the 1983 National League pennant.
The Phillies then faced the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series, ultimately losing the championship in five games.
Hayes' first season in Philadelphia therefore included an appearance in the Fall Classic, connecting him to one of the franchise's most memorable teams.
Over the following seasons, Hayes became an increasingly important part of the Phillies lineup.
His ability to play both the outfield and first base provided Philadelphia with valuable defensive flexibility.
Hayes also developed into a productive offensive player who could contribute with both power and speed.
He could drive the ball into the gaps, hit home runs, steal bases, and score runs.
His all-around abilities made him an important contributor during the middle and late 1980s.
As Philadelphia transitioned away from its veteran championship-era roster, Hayes became one of the team's established offensive leaders.
He played alongside notable Phillies such as Mike Schmidt, Juan Samuel, Glenn Wilson, Darren Daulton, and Shane Rawley.
One of Hayes' finest individual seasons came in 1986.
He batted an impressive .305, establishing himself as one of the National League's most productive hitters.
Hayes also led the National League with 46 doubles, demonstrating his ability to consistently drive the baseball into the gaps.
His combination of batting average, extra-base hits, and baserunning made him a valuable presence in Philadelphia's lineup.
The Phillies finished the 1986 season with an 86-75 record, placing second in the National League East behind the eventual World Series champion New York Mets.
Hayes' offensive contributions helped Philadelphia remain competitive during a season in which Mike Schmidt captured his third National League Most Valuable Player Award.
During the 1987 season, Hayes continued serving as one of Philadelphia's established offensive players.
His versatility allowed the Phillies to use him in different defensive positions while maintaining his presence in the batting order.
The 1988 Score #515 features Hayes as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies following the 1987 season.
The 1988 Score baseball card set represented an important development in the baseball card industry.
Score entered the baseball card market with a colorful design and an emphasis on providing collectors with more information about individual players.
The inaugural set featured 660 cards, offering a comprehensive selection of Major League players from across the American and National Leagues.
One of the defining characteristics of the 1988 Score release was its use of different colored borders throughout the checklist, giving the cards a distinctive appearance compared with competing products.
The set also featured detailed player biographies, career statistics, and additional information that helped collectors learn more about the players represented.
These innovations made Score a recognizable competitor to established manufacturers such as Topps, Donruss, and Fleer.
The 1988 Score release remains especially memorable because it marked the company's introduction to the baseball card market.
Hayes' #515 card documents his time as an established member of the Philadelphia Phillies during the prime of his career.
For collectors assembling autographed 1988 Score baseball card sets, Hayes represents one of the National League's versatile offensive players of the decade.
His connection to Philadelphia's 1983 National League championship team adds historical interest to the card.
Hayes continued playing for the Phillies after the card's release.
In 1989, he enjoyed another outstanding season and earned selection to the National League All-Star team.
The honor recognized his continued contributions as one of Philadelphia's leading offensive players.
Hayes finished the 1989 season with 26 home runs and 78 runs batted in, providing the Phillies with significant offensive production.
His All-Star selection remains one of the defining individual honors of his Major League career.
Throughout his time in Philadelphia, Hayes was known for his ability to contribute in multiple offensive categories.
He could hit for extra bases, reach base, steal bases, and provide dependable production in the middle of the lineup.
His ability to play multiple positions also gave his managers flexibility throughout the long Major League season.
Hayes remained with the Phillies through 1991, completing nine seasons with the organization.
He concluded his Major League playing career with the California Angels in 1992.
Across 12 Major League seasons, Hayes accumulated 1,371 hits, 143 home runs, and 253 stolen bases.
Those totals illustrate the combination of offensive skills that defined his playing career.
Although Hayes appeared with three Major League organizations, he remains most closely associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.
His nine seasons in Philadelphia included a National League pennant, an All-Star selection, and several productive offensive campaigns.
The famous five-for-one trade that brought him to Philadelphia remains one of the most frequently discussed transactions in franchise history.
While the trade created considerable expectations, Hayes developed into a valuable player who contributed to the Phillies for nearly a decade.
His 1986 National League doubles title and 1989 All-Star selection highlight his individual accomplishments.
For Philadelphia Phillies fans, Hayes represents an important figure from the period between the franchise's 1980 World Series championship and its return to the Fall Classic in 1993.
The 1988 Score design provides a colorful and historically significant setting for his autograph.
As part of Score's inaugural baseball card release, the card also appeals to collectors interested in the development of the baseball card industry during the late 1980s.
The combination of an authentic autograph, a recognizable Phillies player, and a first-year Score baseball card makes this an appealing addition to a baseball memorabilia collection.
The Von Hayes Autographed 1988 Score #515 Philadelphia Phillies Card is an excellent collectible for Philadelphia Phillies fans, 1983 National League championship memorabilia collectors, 1980s baseball card enthusiasts, Von Hayes autograph collections, inaugural Score baseball card collectors, and hobbyists assembling complete autographed 1988 Score baseball card sets.
Autograph Guarantee: Signature obtained through a private signing conducted by Under the Radar Sports Promotions and guaranteed to pass any third-party authentication service.