PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When his Pirates teammates found out about Ke'Bryan Hayes eight-year, $70 million contract, they celebrated.
"This broke while we were in St. Louis," said Pirates Manager Derek Shelton. "Ke'Bryan walked in the room and he got a standing ovation from his teammates. I think that speaks to a testament to who he is and what it means."
Shelton also noted that so many of his teammates and staff coming to his news conference shows what they think of Hayes.
"It was really cool," said teammate Bryan Reynolds. "He's one of my best buddies on the team. I was happy to see that. Just tells you what kind of guy he is. Just a good quality teammate. Just a good quality guy that people are excited for when good things happen."
He's only played in 123 career MLB games, yet he's already made this kind of impact. Team owner Bob Nutting thanked Hayes' parents for raising him right.
"He's had real success on the field in Pittsburgh," Nutting said. "I've had real pleasure watching him grow as a player, but also as a man. Today is about our belief in that man."
"Ke'Bryan's family is very important to him," said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. "Getting to know you has been a privilege to me. I know how much you love the game and love your teammates. Grateful you are going to be a part of that for a long time."
Those are words from management that puts you in a leadership position. The dollar figure of your contract, also gives you a voice, whether you want it or not.
"I would say he's pretty similar to me," Reynolds said of Hayes. "Pretty quiet, laid back, but once you get to know him he opens up and is funny. The leadership he brings is more of how he goes about his business, how he handles himself. That kind of leadership which I think carries more weight than someone who just talks the talk."
"Whenever I was younger, a lot of coaches wanted me to be a leader," Hayes said. "I'm not the loudest guy, not the rah-rah guy. Each and every day, I try to go into it to lead by example. Every day coming in having purposeful work and just making sure I help my teammates."
There is a trick to doing that. Where you can just go about your work and not seem standoffish. Hayes may not be in teammates' ears all the time, but he is going to share lessons passed on to him as the son of a Major Leaguer. Especially to those new to the team, spending part of Spring Training introducing himself to all of the new players. He remembered the impact that made on him.
"You got to help your teammates get better each and every day," Hayes said. "Talk amongst your manager, teammates, anyone you can get information from. You never know what you may learn that day. One little thing can change hearing from someone can change a whole new vision with how you see things."
"Try to become better each and every day. Try to get to know your teammates better, each and every day. It takes the whole team playing at their best, each guy doing what they do best."
Shelton said the 25-year-old makes them better in all three facets of the game-offense, on the bases and defensively. It seems like there is a fourth.
"Anytime anyone needs anything, they can come and ask me," Hayes said. "I'm sure everyone knows that. I'm an easy guy to talk to, very laid back."
"Building those relationships in the clubhouse, that's what winning teams do."
He will be a part of that room until the next decade, having played only on losing teams. But with his help, Hayes believes that will change.
"I have faith in what we are doing here," Hayes said. "I felt like it was the right decision with what we have going on here in the next few years. It's going to be really special."
