Scott Hairston's Long Line of Baseball Relatives: Jerry Hairston - Jerry Hairston Jr. & Sam Hairston

Jerry Wayne Hairston Jr. was born May 29th 1976 in Des Moines Iowa. The five foot ten, right hand hitting utility player plays all infield as well as all outfield positions. After attending Southern Illinois University the older brother of Scott Hairston was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 1997 draft.

Hairston went on to a long career playing with the Orioles from 1998-2004. Hairston stole 29 bases in 2001 & stole 21 more the next year. In his 2004 season he batted his Oriole best .303 playing in 86 games. He then moved on to the Chicago Cubs (2005-2006) Texas Rangers (2006-2007) Cincinnati Reds (2008-2009) A.L. New York club (2009) San Diego Padres (2010) Washington Nationals (2011) Milwaukee Brewers (2011) & Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-2013).

In 2008 with the Reds he hit a career best .326 in 80 games while stealing 15 bases. In 2009 & 2010 he showed the most power of his career hitting over ten HRs in each season.

In a 16 year career nding in 2013, he played in 1442 games batting .257 with 1126 hits 233 doubles 22 triples 70 HRs 420 RBIs & a .324 on base %. Hairston played every poition on the field except pitcher.

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Jerry Wayne Hairston Sr. was born on February 16th 1952 in Birmingham, Alabama. The five foot ten switch hitting outfielder / first baseman was signed out of high school by the Chicago White Sox in 1970. Jerry reached the big leagues rather quickly as he batted over .290 three of his first four minor lague seasons. After hitting .347 at AA Iowa he was called up to the 1973 White Sox team.

Jerry Hairston was never a power hitter but was a fine reserve player who did a great job of pinch hitting. Hairston spent his entire MLB career (14 seasons) with the White Sox, except for a brief stint in Pittsburgh (51 games) in part of the 1977 season. From 1978-1980 he also played in the Mexican League, returning in 1981.

Back in 1975 he batted .283 with a .407 on base % playing 69 games, seeing the most Sox action as a left fielder alongside Pat Kelly & brief Met Ken Henderson. On October 4th 1981 he hit a grand slam HR against the Minnesota Twins in the 8th inning bringing the score from 12-5 to 12-9. In the 9th inning he then singled home two more runs including the game winner, giving him a six RBI day. In the second part of his MLB career he hit a career best .294 with 5 HRs 22 RBIs in 1983.

That season he broke up a perfect game bid by Detroit Tigers pitcher Milt Wilcox. Harrison singled with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. It was the fifth time in history a perfect game was foiled with two out in the 9th. In his 14 year career he batted .258 with 438 hits, 91 doubles, six triples, 30 HRs a .362 on base % & 205 RBIs. In his pinch hit career he hit eight HRs & batted .258 (90-349).

Retirement: After his playing days, he spent seven years as a minor league manager with the White Sox. In 2012 he was promoted to assistant hitting coach under new manager Robin Ventura.

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Samuel Harding Hairston was born January 20, 1920 in Crawford Mississippi. He played seven seasons in the Negro Leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons & Indianapolis Clowns.

In 1951 he got to the major leagues playing with the legendary Minnie Minoso as a team mate on the Chicago White Sox. He would play in just four MLB games going 2-5 with two walks & an RBI. 

Retirement: After his playing days he became a White Sox scout and drafted players like Carlos May, Lee Richard, Lamar Johnson & Reggie Patterson. Sammy became a long time minor league instructor as a White Sox bullpen coach (1978). He then managed the Birmingham Barons for twelve seasons until his passing in 1997 at age 77.