Jerry Hairston?s first return to Oriole Park at Camden Yards came this past weekend, a few days after watching Texas Rangers teammate Gary Matthews, Jr. participate in the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.
There was no jealousy aimed at his friend and former Oriole teammate.
“I?m very proud of him and I?m very excited for the year he?s been having,” Hairston said before Sunday?s series finale with the Orioles.
In Baltimore, Hairston was given the opportunity to play every day at both second base and in the outfield, but injuries changed everything.
The Orioles dealt Hairston in Feb. 2005 to the Cubs, along with two minor leaguers, in the ill-fated Sammy Sosa trade. Hairston and Brian Roberts competed for playing time at second base in 2004. The Orioles favored Roberts and he responded with an All-Star season in 2005.
Like Matthews and Roberts, Hairston is looking for that same opportunity. While he feels confident in his abilities to play everyday, he is again fighting for playing time behind a number of established veterans. He has played sparingly for the Rangers, batting .229 and has five outfield assists.
“I think he knew he came into a situation here that there were some guys that were ahead of him,” Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. “I?m thrilled with his attitude and how he has approached everything.”
THE HAIRSTON FILE
Age: 30
Team: Texas Rangers
Position: Infielder/outfielder
Did you know? Hairston was the Orioles? 11th round pick in the 1997 draft ? Hairston?s younger brother, Scott, is a top prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks system, batting .340 with 18 home runs ? Former members of the Orioles organization joining Hairston on the Rangers roster include pitcher Rick Bauer and trainer Jamie Reed.
