Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Hairston, Jr. Contributing in World Series
10/30/2009 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Oct. 30, 2009
By Michael Benson
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Former Saluki baseball player Jerry Hairston, Jr. has become the fourth Southern Illinois alum to appear in the World Series, as he is playing with the New York Yankees against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Fall Classic.
Hairston, Jr., who played for the Salukis from 1996-97, joins Jim Dwyer, Steve Finley, and George Vukovich as the only SIU alumni to play in the Fall Classic.
Hairston, Jr. has already made a considerable contribution to the Yankees' playoff run, as he scored the winning run in game two of the American League Championship Series. In New York's 3-1 win Thursday to tie the series up at one, Hairston, Jr. was 1-for-3 at the plate while starting in right field against the Phillies.
He is currently playing in his 12th MLB season, as he was selected in the 11th round of the MLB Amateur Draft in 1997 by the Baltimore Orioles. He reached the majors 16 months after leaving SIU when he made his debut with the O's on Sept. 11, 1998.
At SIU, Hairston, Jr. earned Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 1996. In addition, he was selected to the MVC All-Tournament team in 1996 and 1997. Hairston, Jr. was inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame on Jan. 9, 2009.
Salukis in the Fall Classic
1980: George Vukovich - Became the first Saluki to appear in the World Series...Member of the Philadelphia Phillies team that defeated the Kansas City Royals in six games...Did not record any stats during the series.
1983: Jim Dwyer - Started in two games for the Baltimore Orioles, who triumphed over the Phillies, four games to one...In three at-bats, Dwyer recorded three hits, including a solo home run in game one, in addition to notching three runs.
1998: Steve Finley - Started three games for the San Diego Padres, who were swept by the Yankees for New York's first of three straight World Series titles...In 12 at-bats, Finley only managed one hit - a double in game one.
2001: Steve Finley - Only SIU alum to appear in two World Series...Helped the Arizona Diamondbacks capture its first World Series title, while also halting the Yankees' drive for four-straight Fall Classic titles...In six games, Finley went to the plate 19 times, recording seven hits, five runs, and two RBI...Belted a solo home run in game five to open the scoring for Arizona.
