Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. justified the Dodgers’ spending after they signed All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Hairston says the Dodgers’ success is about more than just money, and that the club has a different culture around it compared to when he played for L.A.
“Was on the ‘12 team where MLB had to step in so we could get paid in April,” Hairston wrote via X. “Team was bought a few weeks later by a group that poured money into the Stadium, city & players. Titles didn’t just happen overnight. They created a culture where players like Ohtani & Teo etc wanted to come here. Mookie was available in trade & Freddie was let go by a franchise that wanted to go a different direction. A lot of teams have money, very few have created a Culture & Vibe the way the Dodgers have.”
Since 2012, the Dodgers have had a clear change in direction. While they didn’t make the postseason that year — finishing second in the division behind the eventual World Series-winning San Francisco Giants — they have made the playoffs in every year since and have won the division every year but one.
When did Jerry Hairston Jr. Play for the Dodgers?
Hairston joined the Dodgers ahead of the 2012 season, signing a two-year, $6 million deal with the team. His arrival came at an odd time for the Dodgers, as former owner Frank McCourt had filed for bankruptcy less than a year prior and eventually sold the team towards the end of spring training.
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He played out his contract for the season, serving as a solid bat in 2012. He had a .642 OPS for the team during his two years in Los Angeles, hitting six home runs and logging 48 RBIs.
Hairston ended his 16-year career after the end of the 2013 season, announcing his retirement.
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The utility man’s message makes more than enough sense, emphasizing the point that the Dodgers have the ability to sign the players they do because they’ve created a positive, winning culture since the end of his tenure. L.A. will look to continue their winning trend heading into 2026, with their eyes on the World Series and the franchise’s first ever three-peat.
