Hajek: A quiet success

Steve Guiremand

Monday, June 8, 1998 | 9:06 a.m.

Eddie Williams has made headlines with his record-setting four-homer game at Calgary and a recent big league stint.

George Arias has opened eyes while battling for the Pacific Coast League lead in home runs and RBIs.

Hot-shot pitching prospects Matt Clement, Heath Murray, Roberto Ramirez and Stan Spencer also have garnered their share of headlines this year.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Star who arguably is having the most consistent season of them all, second baseman Dave Hajek, quietly goes about his job with little acclaim.

Through Sunday's 3-1 loss to PCL South Division-leading Fresno, the 30-year-old second baseman from Cal Poly Pomona leads the PCL in hits (75), is second in doubles (19) and sixth in batting average (.347). He had an 18-game hitting streak earlier this season and is one of the best second baseman in triple-A at making the pivot on the double play.

Yet, because the Padres have one of baseball's premier base stealers in Quilvio Veras at second and solid backup utility men in Andy Sheets and Ed Giovanola, Hajek's name doesn't usually come up when news of a potential San Diego player call-up is mentioned.

"I think people are very well aware of what Dave Hajek can do and is doing," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "He's done it before only now he's a better defensive player than he used to be. He turns the double play as well as anybody."

But because Hajek is not flashy and methodically goes about his job each day, could it be possible his talent sometimes is overlooked?

"He's always been like that," Royster said, noting Hajek was a PCL all-star in 1994 and 1995 at Tucson. "It's one of his biggest assets, the way he goes about doing his business like that. He's very professional.

"I can tell you one thing. I don't ever take him for granted. He's a low maintenance player who's starting to light up some people's eyes."

"I'm comfortable with the way things are going so far this season," Hajek said after hitting a double and single and scoring the Stars' lone run on Sunday afternoon. "I'm getting a chance to play every day here and I'm trying to take advantage of that. That's all you can ask."

Royster believes Hajek has what it takes to play second base in the big leagues ... if he ever gets the chance.

"I thought that he might get a chance with expansion," Royster said. "Maybe he will get a chance because of expansion. I do believe he can play every day in the major leagues. It's just hard to get an opportunity sometimes."

"It (not getting a big league opportunity) gets a little frustrating, but I understand that that's part of the game," Hajek said. "All I can do is to continue to go out every day and play my best and wait for my chance."