Jerry Hairston Jr.

Sam Hairston was a fantastic player in the Negro Leagues. In 1950, he won the Negro American Leagues triple crown by .424 with 17 homers and 71 RBIs in a short season. He was the first black player signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1950, but he was on the downhill of his career when he finally got his chance. He played in just four Major League games in 1951.

His sons Jerry and John Hairston both played in the Major Leagues. John was only up for a brief time, but Jerry had a 14-year-career.

And two of Jerry’s sons — Jerry Jr. and Scott — had extensive big-league careers with all sorts of big moments.

Here, Jerry Hairston Jr. tips his cap to his grandfather and the path that he paved for his family and for everyone in baseball.