Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 9:08 a.m.
Las Vegas Stars second baseman Dave Hajek went back and earned his degree in architecture from Cal Poly Pomona in 1994.
So far he's yet to design any buildings or homes, but he admits to have "been doing research around the country at ballparks for the last 10 years or so."
And during that span, Hajek also has done a good job of designing a pretty impressive resume for the major leagues.
The 30-year-old Hajek, a former two-time NCAA Division II All-American at Cal Poly Pomona and the school's athlete of the year in 1988, is hitting over .300 for his fifth straight year at the triple-A level.
Following a 2-for-5 performance in Tuesday afternoon's 5-3 loss to the Memphis Redbirds at Cashman Field, Hajek is batting .377 with a team-high nine doubles and 10 RBIs.
But batting .300 in the Pacific Coast League is nothing unusual for the consistent Hajek. Consider:
* After the San Diego Padres acquired Hajek from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Earl Johnson last July, Hajek hit .340 with 14 doubles and 25 RBIs in 41 games with the Stars.
* In 1996 in Tucson as part of the Houston Astros organization, Hajek ranked fifth in the PCL in hits (161) and 10th in batting with a .317 average. That was good enough to earn him a brief big league shot with the Astros where he hit .300 in eight games.
* In 1995 at Tucson, Hajek was named a PCL all-star for the second straight season, ranking second in the PCL in runs scored (99), hits (164) and doubles (37). He also was named the league's best defensive second baseman in a survey of PCL managers by Baseball America.
* And in 1994, also at Tucson, Hajek was a PCL all-star after hitting .324, including one torrid 16-game July stretch that saw him bat .469 (30-for-64).
Obviously, Hajek is a quality hitter and fielder at the triple-A level. So what does he need to do to get a shot at the major league level?
How about a little patience, and a little luck.
"It's just a matter of waiting for that team that needs what he has to offer," Stars manager Jerry Royster said.
"I think Dave realizes that good (offensive) numbers aren't the whole thing for making it to the big leagues. Just look at Paul Konerko and Jacob Cruz. They had big numbers and have gone up to the big leagues and struggled. The numbers aren't as important as doing things the right way, the major league way."
Royster said he is very impressed with Hajek's work ethic and attitude.
"He really works hard," the Stars' manager said.
Hajek was burried behind one of baseball's top second basemen in Astros' all-star Craig Biggio while starring in Tucson. Now he finds himself in the shadow of 26-year-old Quilvio Veras for a red-hot San Diego Padres club that doesn't figure to be making any big moves soon.
Still, injuries are a part of the game. And if Veras were to go down for any length of time, Hajek would seem to be positioning himself for another call-up to the big leagues.
"What Quilvio brings to the table that Dave doesn't is speed," Royster said.
"I think Dave can hit just as well. Dave's strengths are offense, defense and his knowledge for the game. He has a great understanding of how to play. If you ask him to do something, he goes out and does it. He's a guy you'd love to have at the plate in a key situation."
Now if only a major league team would feel that way.
"I've just got to be consistent and wait until somebody decides to give me a chance," Hajek said.
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