Hairston takes red-eye from California to get ring

Hideki Matsui absolutely stole the Yankees' World Series ring ceremony Tuesday as the last player to be introduced. Fans gave the World Series MVP the loudest ovation as he jogged onto the field from the Angels dugout to receive his ring from Joe Girardi, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. Then the entire Yankee team came over to hug him near the pitcher's mound.

A happy scheduling happenstance led to Matsui's being in the Bronx with his new team. For another former Yankee, it took considerable effort to get to Yankee Stadium.

Jerry Hairston Jr., a bit player on the 2009 Yankees, got two at-bats Monday afternoon for the Padres against the Braves. In San Diego. Hairston then flew all night and arrived in New York at 6 a.m. After a quick nap, he strolled into the Stadium about four hours later and was the second player introduced during the ring ceremony. He also was the only player wearing a suit and tie.

"It's the perfect scenario for me," Hairston said. "We had a day game, off day, and a night game [tomorrow]. I think I'll get in tonight at 9:30 at home in San Diego, so I'll be well rested."

Hairston said he originally wasn't planning to come because he thought the ring ceremony would be on the 18th, when the Padres have a game.

"But somebody texted me and said it was today," he said. "I saw on the schedule that we had an off day. To be honest, if we had a night game [Monday], I don't think I would have come. But we had a day game, so it just worked out perfect for me."

Other departed 2009 Yankees will get their rings later, either in the Bronx or on the road. Johnny Damon, for example, doesn't come to New York with the Tigers until August.