St. Louis manager Tony La Russa has known Brewers third-basemen Jerry Hairston Jr. for over thirty years. They weren't friends, they weren't business acquaintances, they were closer to family.
La Russa has been at the head of various organizations since the late seventies. His history with the Hairston family began the first day he stepped into his Chicago office in 1979. Hairston Jr.'s grandfather, Sam Hairston, worked side by side with La Russa as coach for the White Sox's affiliate team, the Birmingham Barons. By 1981 La Russa's familiarity with the Hairstons had grown to span over three generations.
La Russa has been at the head of various organizations since the late seventies. His history with the Hairston family began the first day he stepped into his Chicago office in 1979. Hairston Jr.'s grandfather, Sam Hairston, worked side by side with La Russa as coach for the White Sox's affiliate team, the Birmingham Barons. By 1981 La Russa's familiarity with the Hairstons had grown to span over three generations.
Hairston Family in Major League Baseball
Sam Hairstons son, Jerry Hairston Sr., played under the White Sox manager as a left-fielder. His two sons, Jerry Jr. and Scott, would often accompany their father to practice. This was the beginning of a thirty-three year relationship between the young Jerry and the young manager La Russa. Most contact, at least in those early days, revolved around the boy's request that his father get some more recognition. In time however the two bonded over a mutual love for the sport and La Russa's guidance as Hairston Jr. attempted to follow his namesake into the majors.
Sam Hairston passed in 1997, just one year previous to his grandson's debut with the Orioles. Since then, Jr. was a key component of the Brewer's run to the NLCS. Ironically enough, he faces his former friend and mentor as they square off for a spot in the World Series.
Sam Hairstons son, Jerry Hairston Sr., played under the White Sox manager as a left-fielder. His two sons, Jerry Jr. and Scott, would often accompany their father to practice. This was the beginning of a thirty-three year relationship between the young Jerry and the young manager La Russa. Most contact, at least in those early days, revolved around the boy's request that his father get some more recognition. In time however the two bonded over a mutual love for the sport and La Russa's guidance as Hairston Jr. attempted to follow his namesake into the majors.
Sam Hairston passed in 1997, just one year previous to his grandson's debut with the Orioles. Since then, Jr. was a key component of the Brewer's run to the NLCS. Ironically enough, he faces his former friend and mentor as they square off for a spot in the World Series.
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