BALTIMORE—Austin Hays looked around Camden Yards and had a familiar feeling.
“It feels like a home game,” Hays said.
For seven seasons, Baltimore was home to Hays, who’s now patrolling left field for the Cincinnati Reds. Hays had many good times in this ballpark, and made many good friends.
“One of my favorites,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Great guy when he was here. Really enjoyed our time together here, so I’m looking forward to seeing him out there.
“The way he played, hair on fire all the time. Wanted to play, loved to play, played hurt as much as anybody who’s been here since I’ve been here.”
Hays was often hurt with the Orioles, but he persevered. His Reds career got off to a delayed start because of a strained left calf muscle. In his first five games, he’s hitting .364 with three home runs and seven RBIs. He’s 4-for-9 this weekend and homered in the ninth inning on Saturday.
“I feel great,” Hays said. “My body feels healthy. “I had a good series last series, just keep it rolling.”
He hadn’t looked at the Reds’ schedule, but his wife, Samantha, had.
“I actually was focused on trying to get back,” Hays said. “Sam said ‘Oh, we booked our flights to Baltimore,’ and I said, ‘When is that?’ I realized it was right after I got back. I didn’t know until a week ago.”
From 2020-2024, Hays, Cedric Mullins, and Anthony Santander were the Orioles’ regular outfielders. They experienced lots of losses and a 101-win season and the American League East title. They each earned an American League All-Star selection. Hays’ came in 2023.
Mullins and Hays had a special relationship.
“Cedric’s my guy,” Hays said. “We were roommates for so long in the minor leagues. I think he’s doing fine right now. He got off to a hot start. I texted him a couple of times. I told him, ‘keep it going.’ I’m happy for him that he’s off to a good start.”
Santander, who was back with Toronto last week, is another player Hays remembers warmly.
“I’ve been with Tony forever I played with him in Double-A, the big leagues. He deserves every cent of that contract. He works really hard. He’s always prepared every day. He’s a really good guy. I love his family. I love him. I spent a lot of time with him. They got a good man in Toronto. He’s worth it.”
Last season was a forgettable one for Hays. He was batting .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs on July 26th when he was traded to Philadelphia for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache.
He drove from Baltimore to Philadelphia to join his new club
“Everything just happened so fast,” Hays said. “I didn’t really know what I was feeling at the time. It was like a little bit of shock. You’re in one place for so long. That night, you’re standing in a different park, in a different clubhouse, with a different uniform on, just trying to take it all in. I don’t think I was able to really reflect on everything until after the playoffs were over, and I got back home. “
Because of a hamstring injury and a kidney infection, Hays was only able to play 22 games plus two more in the postseason for the Phillies, who non-tendered him on November 22nd. He signed a $4 million contract with Cincinnati on January 30th with a $12 million mutual option for 2026.
“That was a whirlwind, how fast things change in this game, and then you sign with another team and come into spring training. “Man, I was on three teams in one year that quick.’ It happens fast. I didn’t really think about or know what I was thinking until I got back to Florida in the offseason.”
Hays had a warm feeling when he arrived at Camden Yards.
“It was a little weird coming down the tunnel, and passing the clubhouse, coming over to this side. It’s good be back in the stadium. That time kind of comes in every player’s career. You start getting to that age. You start getting to that level of service time. You know it’s possible. I don’t think we ended things on bad terms. I really did enjoy all the times that I had here. I’m still happy to come back here.”
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.