Monday, June 20, 2011
Video: Catching up with Jerry Hairston
Jerry Hairston and I go back a ways. Ten years ago, he was a young, starting second baseman for the Orioles. And I was a young beat writer covering him in Baltimore.
Plenty has changed, for both of us, over the last decade. Hairston has become something of a super-utility man, versatile enough to play just about anywhere on the field while also being able to settle in at one position for an extended stretch when needed (as he did at third base when Ryan Zimmerman was on the DL). The son, and grandson, of a big-leaguer, he's also now father to a baseball-loving son (Jackson) who could perhaps take over the family business some day.
Jerry was nice enough to join me for a video interview the other day and discuss those subjects, and more. Enjoy...
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12 comments:
Nice interview Mark.
Hairston strikes me as a pro's pro type of player. It was fun watching him play regularly when he filled in for RZimm. He did a really good job, particularly on defense.
He seems more comfortable in the infield, than the outfield.
Hairston is a class act. Always plays hard, and is full of fire. We're lucky to have him for whatever unexpected adversities hit the team. Cora has played well too. Stairs, not so much.
I realize Rizzo and Riggs took heat when they let A. Gonzalez go and hindsight is of course an easy thing to use but AG is barely hitting .200 and still is not playing full-time so I am assuming he has not made a mark in his new home. I like both Cora and Hairston for their professionalism and versatility. Hairston scares me a little in LF but he seems to make the average plays. They are both capable of making big league plays in the infield and I am guessing that Cora is actually our backup first baseman now. Nice interview Mark and thanks.
http://therocket.mlblogs.com/2011/06/19/the-shark-swinging-hot-bat/
I have obviously seen the recent power in the RF gap by Bernadina but didn't realize his Batting Average had gone back over .280
Maybe Bernadina is a better 2 hole hitter behind Werth. Werth has to step it up and I remember how imposing it was for opposing pitchers when they had to face Alfonso Soriano in leadoff back in 2006 so hopefully Werth can set the table as Werth's .332 OBP sure isn't great or imposing.
Very nice interview. I completely agree that Hairston is very much a class act, and he has done a great job filling in for Zimmerman for the first half of the season. I really liked the questions about his kid. Hope to see a fourth generation Hairston down the road.
I was telling my ten-year-old daughter the other day that there are 50 guys with Jerry Hairston's skill level who aren't in the majors and might not be in baseball. Which one of those 51 guys gets the job? The guy who shows up on time, is ready to play wherever the manager says to play, doesn't get in trouble off the field, will do whatever appearances, etc., the front office asks them to do, doesn't complain about playing time, and is supportive of his teammates. In the short time he's been in Washington, Hairston has impressed me as a smart guy who probably mets all of the criteria listed aboive.
Thanks for the interview, Mark. I agree with others re. Hairston's job of filling in more than anticipated due to injuries. Enjoyed seeing his and other players' kids on the scoreboard yesterday.
A pro's pro. I'm glad he's here. Can play anywhere and never embarrasses himself. Thanks, Mark. This TV gig is working for you.
Loved the interview. I hope you can continue to interview these bench players because this also gives us a chance to know why these players are on our club. The way he spoke, JH seemed nice gentleman and professional at his game. Maybe you could interview Stairs if you get a chance.
It was nice that your brother let you interview him. Separated at birth Mark?
Class act? Lol.
Aussie Gus, it's great to see that someone else besides me thinks that about these two pros. My family doesn't see it, but I do.
Also, Mark, you forgot to mention in your article that a lot has changed for you too. You've gone from being a young beat writer to being a superstar beat writer.
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