ATLANTA -- Veteran utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. admitted to being disappointed he was left off the Dodgers' playoff roster for the first round. Hairston thought he had a good chance of making it, particularly after injuries to Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp.
The Dodgers have worked out Dee Gordon and Scott Van Slyke as emergency center-field options for this series. Neither player has ever played the position. As recently as 2011, Hairston, 37, played 20 games in center field with the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers.
"I know I've lost a step, maybe two, but I like to think I'm pretty intelligent and know how to play that position pretty well," Hairston said. "It wasn't my decision. I'm going to support my teammates who have worked very hard to get here."
Hairston's goal is a second World Series ring. He would be eligible for the Dodgers' roster should they advance to the NLDS, but that might not be an easy task since Ethier could be healthy by then and the Dodgers could carry an extra pitcher.
"Fans in L.A. deserve a chance to see their team win the world championship," Hairston said. "That wouldn't be a bad thing to have on your resume, a Yankees championship and a Dodgers championship."
Hairston batted just .143 in the second half, but he points out that he did so in scattered opportunities. Hairston got just 84 at-bats after the All-Star Game.
"Somebody said I'm struggling? Come on, man, in that many at-bats?" Hairston said.
