Daily Dodger in Review: Jerry Hairston Jr. exits field, enters booth

JERRY HAIRSTON, JR., 37, utility player

Final 2013 stats: .211 batting average, two homers, 22 RBI, 17 runs and .265 on-base and .275 slugging percentages in 226 plate appearances.

Contract status: Retired.

The good: He hit .258 in the first half. Continued strong versatility, playing third, first, left, right and even a touch of second. Proved a natural with microphone in hand.

The bad: Went on the disabled list with a strained hamstring in May, came back to hit well for a month, and then it all went downhill. He hit just .133 in his final 45 games as his playing time disappeared in the final two months of the regular season. Was not on the team postseason roster.

What’s next: Seems that experiment with the microphone was no accident. He’s scheduled to start his new career as a commentator on the Dodgers’ SportsNet LA cable channel.

The take: Hairston had a solid and valuable first season with the Dodgers in 2012, and came back from the DL last season to hit .279 in June, but after that it was clear he was nearing the end.

He won a World Series with the Yankees, and hit .257 and made over $21 million during his 16-year career, so the third-generation MLB player had a great run.

He has a terrific personality and was well liked in the clubhouse, so it should be interesting to watch him dive into his broadcasting career.