Sports Illustrated, in its June 25, 2001 issue on page 76, reports that Jerry Hairston of the Baltimore Orioles had been "baptized as a Jehovah's Witness" last July.
At times, according to the artcile, Hairston's passionate play on the field, charactarized by end-over-flips of his bat after strikeouts and exasperated shrugs during arguments with umpires, gives other players the impression of cockiness on his part. "Sometimes it might come off as something else. What can I say? I'm a passionate person."
The article mentions that after Hairston slammed his bat to the ground after popping out on a Roger Clemens fastball, he got a long staredown from Clemens. Later, Hairston had to get out of the way of a Clemens fastball that buzzed by his head.
"I meant no disrespect to Roger; he was one of my favorite players growing up" said Hairston. "Besides, how many times do other major league players [slam their bats]? Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neil?"
Hairston has excellent defensive range, the article mentions, but he "needs to show more restraint once he gets to the ball, rather than always attempting spectacular throws".