Notable events in Phillies history on December 9

  • December 9, 1982: The Phillies traded second baseman Manny Trillo, shortstop Julio Franco, outfielder George Vukovich, catcher Jerry Willard, and pitcher Jay Baller to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Von Hayes.
  • December 9, 1975: The Phillies traded outfielder Mike Anderson to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran right-handed pitcher Ron Reed.
  • December 9, 1946: The Phillies purchased the contract of pitcher Dutch Leonard from the Washington Senators.
  • December 9, 2019: The Phillies signed right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million free agent contract — a major addition to their rotation.

Phillies players (or personnel) born on December 9

  • Juan Samuel (1960) He played for the Phillies from 1983 to 1989, was a three-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger winner, and later served on the Phillies’ coaching staff. Samuel also served as the interim manager of the Orioles for 51 games in 2010.
  • Del Unser (1944) He was an outfielder/utility player who spent part of his career with the Phillies, including being on the 1980 World Series–winning team.

A DEEPER DIVE… Von Hayes; Mr. 5-for-1

When the Phillies and Cleveland finalized their five-for-one swap on December 9, 1982, it instantly became one of the most talked-about trades of the offseason. The deal sent Manny Trillo, Julio Franco, George Vukovich, Jerry Willard, and Jay Baller to Cleveland in exchange for 23-year-old outfielder Von Hayes. It was a bold, aggressive move by Philadelphia’s front office and one that carried both high expectations and significant scrutiny.

The events leading to the trade were rooted in the Phillies’ desire to get younger and more athletic after a veteran-heavy era that produced the franchise’s first World Series title in 1980. By 1982, many of the core pieces were aging, and management wanted players who could run, play multiple positions, and extend the competitive window. Hayes, at the time a rising star with excellent on-base skills and defensive versatility, fit that vision. He had just completed his first full season and was highly regarded around the league for his potential to become a top-tier all-around player.

Cleveland, on the other hand, was rebuilding and looked to maximize the return on a single asset by acquiring multiple players to fill several organizational holes. They welcomed the opportunity to add both established veterans and young talent. Manny Trillo, who had been a key contributor for the Phillies and a standout defensive second baseman, brought leadership and a stable glove. Julio Franco was still an unpolished prospect, but scouts already viewed him as a hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills and long-term potential. Vukovich and Willard were projected as useful major-league role players, while Baller had a powerful arm that intrigued Cleveland’s pitching development staff.

The fan reaction in Philadelphia was mixed, leaning toward skeptical. Many questioned trading away five players—including an All-Star caliber second baseman and a promising young infielder—for a player who, to that point, had shown potential but not stardom. The “five-for-one” label followed Hayes for years, creating pressure and unrealistic expectations before he ever played a game for the Phillies. Some fans worried the club had overpaid. Others saw the deal as a savvy investment in the future, especially given Hayes’ reputation for plate discipline and improving power.

Hayes became a productive and often underappreciated player during his nine seasons in Philadelphia. He never reached the level of superstardom some expected, but he provided steady on-base ability, solid defense, and occasional power. His best season came in 1986, when he led the league in runs and doubles, while also hitting .305. He helped the Phillies stay competitive through the mid-1980s and served as a reliable lineup presence, though the initial expectations created by the trade prevented him from fully gaining fan appreciation.

Cleveland’s return produced uneven results. Manny Trillo gave the Indians one solid season before moving on and continued to play as a dependable defender for several more years. George Vukovich became a regular outfielder for Cleveland and contributed moderate power and contact hitting. Willard and Baller had limited long-term impact, though both reached the majors.

The true long-term prize for Cleveland was Julio Franco. While he did not fully blossom until later in his career—particularly after moving on to Texas—his time in Cleveland established him as a major-league regular. Franco’s athleticism, unique batting style, and longevity eventually made him one of the most memorable hitters of his era. In retrospect, his inclusion is what most dramatically shifted the historical evaluation of the trade. When the Indians dealt him to Texas nine years after the deal with the Phillies they acquired Oddibe McDowell, Jerry Browne and Pete O’Brien.

For Philadelphia, the Hayes trade symbolized a shift toward younger, more dynamic talent. For Cleveland, it was an early step in stockpiling pieces for the future. The deal remains one of the more famous—and debated—transactions in Phillies history, remembered for both the expectations it placed on Hayes and the surprising career Franco assembled after leaving Philadelphia.