Scott Hairston
Encyclopedia
Scott Alexander Hairston (born May 25, 1980 in Fort Worth, Texas
) is an outfielder
in Major League Baseball
. Hairston bats and throws right-handed.
and was a letterman in baseball. While there he was a teammate of current All Star second baseman Ian Kinsler
. Hairston graduated in 1999.
, alongside future major leaguer Ian Kinsler
.
in the third round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He started at second base for part of his rookie season of 2004, but has played mostly a reserve role since then. On July 27, 2007, the D-backs traded him to the San Diego Padres
.
During his first game as a San Diego Padres
starter (August 3, 2007), Hairston hit two consecutive home runs. The first was a 3-run blast in the 8th inning that pushed the game against the Giants into extra innings and the second was a walk-off blast in the 10th inning. Hairston was placed into the game to substitute for Milton Bradley. The following day in his first at-bat, Hairston hit another home run, making it three home runs in three consecutive at-bats (just the 7th Padre to homer in 3 straight AB) and earning his nickname "Hairball". The first game was also the game in which Barry Bonds
hit his 755th home run to tie the all-time record previously held by Hank Aaron.
Hairston has become a fan favorite in San Diego, well known for his clutch home runs and late-inning heroics. He has hit three walk-off home runs for the Padres, in addition to other walk-off hits. From 2007-2009, he hit 12 home runs in late and clutch situations. These are classified as at-bats in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck. He has been particularly tough against the Giants, with 11 of his 58 career homers coming off San Francisco, as well as 23 RBI, by far the most against any team he’s faced.
Hairston hit a home run to break a 6-6 tie in the top of the 13th inning against the Colorado Rockies
in the 2007 Wild Card tie-breaker game
. The Rockies won the game in the bottom half of that inning.
Hairston represented Mexico at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
alongside his brother Jerry. Hairston's mother was born in Mexico, making him eligible to play for the Mexican team
On July 5, 2009, Hairston was traded to the Oakland Athletics
for Sean Gallagher
and minor leaguers Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano.
On January 16, 2010, Hairston was traded back to the San Diego Padres
, along with outfielder Aaron Cunningham
in exchange for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff
and minor leaguer Eric Sogard
.
On January 20, 2011, Hairston signed a one year contract with the New York Mets
.
, the son of Jerry Hairston, Sr., the nephew of Johnny Hairston
, and the grandson of Sammy Hairston
, a former Negro Leaguer
who later became one of the first black players in Chicago White Sox
history. The five Hairstons that have played in the majors set a record. Two other three-generation MLB families have four members each: the Boone family (Ray
, Bob
, Bret
and Aaron
) and the Bell family (Gus
, Buddy
, David
, and Mike). Hairston is of Mexican descent on his mother's side. He and his wife, Jill, and sons, Landon (1/13/06) and Dallas (7/9/07), the family resides in Gilbert, Arizona
.
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
) is an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Hairston bats and throws right-handed.
High school years
Hairston attended Canyon del Oro High School in the Tucson suburb of Oro Valley, ArizonaOro Valley, Arizona
Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. According to a July 2008 estimate, the population of the town is 43,223, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson,...
and was a letterman in baseball. While there he was a teammate of current All Star second baseman Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
. Hairston graduated in 1999.
College
He played college baseball at Central Arizona CollegeCentral Arizona College
Central Arizona College is a public community college located in Coolidge, Arizona. "CAC," as the school is commonly known, serves the population of Pinal County.The school's sports teams are called the Vaqueros and the colors are green and gold...
, alongside future major leaguer Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
.
Professional career
Hairston was drafted by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in the third round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He started at second base for part of his rookie season of 2004, but has played mostly a reserve role since then. On July 27, 2007, the D-backs traded him to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
starter (August 3, 2007), Hairston hit two consecutive home runs. The first was a 3-run blast in the 8th inning that pushed the game against the Giants into extra innings and the second was a walk-off blast in the 10th inning. Hairston was placed into the game to substitute for Milton Bradley. The following day in his first at-bat, Hairston hit another home run, making it three home runs in three consecutive at-bats (just the 7th Padre to homer in 3 straight AB) and earning his nickname "Hairball". The first game was also the game in which Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
hit his 755th home run to tie the all-time record previously held by Hank Aaron.
Hairston has become a fan favorite in San Diego, well known for his clutch home runs and late-inning heroics. He has hit three walk-off home runs for the Padres, in addition to other walk-off hits. From 2007-2009, he hit 12 home runs in late and clutch situations. These are classified as at-bats in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck. He has been particularly tough against the Giants, with 11 of his 58 career homers coming off San Francisco, as well as 23 RBI, by far the most against any team he’s faced.
Hairston hit a home run to break a 6-6 tie in the top of the 13th inning against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in the 2007 Wild Card tie-breaker game
2007 National League wild card tie-breaker game
The 2007 National League Wild Card tiebreaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's National League Wild Card. The game took place on October 1, 2007 between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies of the National League West at Coors Field. It was necessary after both teams...
. The Rockies won the game in the bottom half of that inning.
Hairston represented Mexico at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
alongside his brother Jerry. Hairston's mother was born in Mexico, making him eligible to play for the Mexican team
Mexico national baseball team
The Mexico national baseball team is the baseball team which represents Mexico in international tournaments. They are currently the eighth ranked baseball team in the world.-Pan American Games:*1951 Bronze Medal *1963 Bronze Medal...
On July 5, 2009, Hairston was traded to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Sean Gallagher
Sean Gallagher (baseball)
Sean Patrick Gallagher is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Chicago Cubs:...
and minor leaguers Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano.
On January 16, 2010, Hairston was traded back to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, along with outfielder Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Roe Ward Cunningham is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:Cunningham was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft...
in exchange for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Kevin Kouzmanoff is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent.Kouzmanoff had trouble with various sports in high school. He got special help for batting practice, just to learn how to swing a bat for three years, implementing a swing...
and minor leaguer Eric Sogard
Eric Sogard
Eric Sidney Sogard aka Harry Potter The Wizard of the Baseball Diamond is an infielder for the Oakland Athletics. From Arizona State University, Sogard was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2nd Round of the 2007 amateur draft...
.
On January 20, 2011, Hairston signed a one year contract with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
Family
Hairston comes from the biggest Major League Baseball family. He is the brother of Jerry Hairston, Jr.Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Wayne Hairston, Jr. is a Mexican-American professional baseball utility player.-Professional career:...
, the son of Jerry Hairston, Sr., the nephew of Johnny Hairston
Johnny Hairston
John Louis Hairston is a former catcher/left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs in the season. Hairston batted and threw right-handed...
, and the grandson of Sammy Hairston
Sam Hairston
Samuel Harding Hairston is a former Negro League baseball and Major League Baseball player. He played for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues and played part of one season with the Chicago White Sox as a catcher...
, a former Negro Leaguer
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
who later became one of the first black players in Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
history. The five Hairstons that have played in the majors set a record. Two other three-generation MLB families have four members each: the Boone family (Ray
Ray Boone
Raymond Otis Boone was an American Major League Baseball player. He batted and threw right-handed.Boone was born in San Diego, California. An infielder, he broke into the major leagues on September 3, , with the Cleveland Indians...
, Bob
Bob Boone
Robert Raymond Boone is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a major league player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and the father of two major leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and...
, Bret
Bret Boone
Bret Robert Boone is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.-Personal life:Boone was born in El Cajon, California to Susan G. Roel and Bob Boone. He is a graduate of El Dorado High School and the University of Southern California. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Ray Boone and...
and Aaron
Aaron Boone
Aaron John Boone is a former Major League Baseball infielder whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won the 2003 American League Championship Series for the New York Yankees. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington...
) and the Bell family (Gus
Gus Bell
David Russell "Gus" Bell, Jr. was an American center and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs , New York Mets and Milwaukee Braves...
, Buddy
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
, David
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
, and Mike). Hairston is of Mexican descent on his mother's side. He and his wife, Jill, and sons, Landon (1/13/06) and Dallas (7/9/07), the family resides in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
.
See also
- Third-generation Major League Baseball families