Versatile Hairston has come to accept role

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

Jerry Hairston has enjoyed a lengthy career because of his versatility in the field.

While everyone down in Viera waits for the rain to pass -- today's first split-squad game against the Mets has been delayed until 2 p.m. -- here's a story on Jerry Hairston I just wrote for CSNwashington.com.

A decade ago, Hairston was supposed to be the Orioles' long-term answer at second base. Injuries and the emergence of Brian Roberts changed those plans, but Hairston wound up enjoying a nice career as a utilityman.

Now he hopes to impart the lessons he learned from guys like Cal Ripken and Mike Bordick to a Nationals clubhouse that features several energetic, young position players not all that unlike Hairston used to be.