Scott Hairston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scott Hairston |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Hairston with the Washington Nationals in 2014
|
|||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: May 25, 1980 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| May 7, 2004, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 2014, for the Washington Nationals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .242 | ||
| Home runs | 106 | ||
| Runs batted in | 313 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Scott Alexander Hairston (born May 25, 1980) is a Mexican-American former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Scott played for several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Nationals. He batted and threw with his right hand.
Scott comes from a famous baseball family. His grandfather, Sam Hairston, his father, Jerry Hairston, Sr., and his brother, Jerry Hairston Jr., all played in the Major Leagues.
Contents
Early Life and College
Growing up and high school baseball
Scott Hairston grew up in Oro Valley, Arizona. He went to Canyon del Oro High School there. He was a star player on the baseball team. At high school, he played alongside future Major League player Ian Kinsler.
Playing college baseball
After high school, Scott played college baseball. He attended Central Arizona College. He was teammates with Ian Kinsler again during his time there.
Scott's Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Scott Hairston in the third round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He started his career as a second baseman. In his first year, 2004, he played as a starter for some time. After that, he mostly played as a reserve player. In July 2007, the Diamondbacks traded him to the San Diego Padres.
First time with the San Diego Padres
Scott joined the San Diego Padres in August 2007. In his very first game as a starter for them, he hit two home runs in a row! The first one tied the game in the eighth inning. The second one won the game in the tenth inning. The next day, he hit another home run in his first turn at bat. This meant he hit three home runs in three straight turns at bat. Only a few Padres players had ever done that before.
Scott became a favorite player among Padres fans. He was known for hitting important home runs. These were often in close games or late innings. He hit three "walk-off" home runs for the Padres. A walk-off home run wins the game immediately. From 2007 to 2009, he hit 12 home runs in "clutch" situations. These are when the game is tied or very close in the late innings. He was especially good against the San Francisco Giants.
In 2007, Scott hit a home run in a special tie-breaker game. This game was against the Colorado Rockies. Even though he hit a home run, the Rockies won that game.
Scott also played for the Mexican team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. His brother Jerry played on the team too. Scott's mother was born in Mexico, which allowed him to play for their national team.
Moving to the Oakland Athletics
In July 2009, Scott Hairston was traded again. He went to the Oakland Athletics.
Back with the San Diego Padres
Scott returned to the Padres in January 2010. He was traded back to them along with another player.
Playing for the New York Mets
In January 2011, Scott signed a contract with the New York Mets. He signed with them again in 2012. On April 27, 2012, Scott made history for the Mets. He became the tenth Mets player to hit for the cycle. Hitting for the cycle means getting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game.
In October 2012, Scott hit his 20th home run of the season. This was a personal best for him.
Time with the Chicago Cubs
After the 2012 season, Scott became a free agent. He signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs in February 2013. He often played in right field or as a pinch-hitter. He hit several home runs for the Cubs before being traded again.
Joining the Washington Nationals
In July 2013, Scott Hairston was traded to the Washington Nationals. He mostly played off the bench for them. He would start in left field against left-handed pitchers. In 2013, he played 85 games for the Nationals and Cubs combined. He hit 10 home runs that year.
Brief time with the Chicago White Sox
In November 2015, Scott signed a minor league contract. This was with the Chicago White Sox team. However, he was released before the season started in March 2016.
Scott's Baseball Family
Scott Hairston comes from the largest baseball family in Major League history. Five members of his family have played in the Major Leagues.
- His brother is Jerry Hairston Jr..
- His father is Jerry Hairston Sr..
- His uncle is Johnny Hairston.
- His grandfather is Sammy Hairston. Sammy was a player in the Negro Leagues. He later became the first African American player for the Chicago White Sox.
Besides these five, other Hairston family members played in the minor leagues. Scott is also of Mexican descent because of his mother's family. Scott, his wife Jill, and their sons Landon and Dallas live in Gilbert, Arizona.
More to Explore
- Third-generation Major League Baseball families
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
