Jerry Hairston Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player who played for nine different teams during his career. He was born on May 29, 1976, in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up in Naperville, Illinois. Hairston comes from a family of baseball players, with his father, grandfather, and uncle all having played in the major leagues.
Hairston began his professional baseball career in 1997 when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the MLB draft. He made his major league debut with the Orioles in 1998 and played for the team until 2004. During his time with the Orioles, Hairston played primarily as a second baseman and outfielder.
In 2005, Hairston was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Texas Rangers in 2007 before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds later that year. Hairston played for the Reds until 2008, when he was traded to the New York Yankees.
Hairston played for the Yankees for the remainder of the 2008 season and then signed with the San Diego Padres for the 2009 season. He played for the Padres for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Nationals in 2011. Hairston played for the Nationals for one season before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2012 season.
Hairston played for the Dodgers for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2013. He announced his retirement from baseball in December 2013.
Throughout his career, Hairston was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He played primarily as a second baseman and outfielder but also played at third base and shortstop. Hairston was also known for his speed on the basepaths, stealing a total of 147 bases during his career.
Hairston was a valuable player for the teams he played for, providing solid defense and consistent hitting. He finished his career with a .257 batting average, 70 home runs, and 420 RBIs.
After retiring from baseball, Hairston became a broadcaster and analyst for the MLB Network. He also worked as a coach for the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Hairston continues to be involved in baseball and is a respected figure in the sport.
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