News
Q's with A's: Scott Hairston in hot seat
Newest Oakland addition reflects on trade, the AL and more
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
07/09/09 4:45 PM ET
A third-round pick by the D-backs in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Scott Hairston made his big league debut in '05 but appeared in only 100 games with Arizona before being traded to San Diego in July '07.Hairston, who still lives in Arizona during the offseason, remained a part-time player during his first season and a half with the Padres, but he hit 17 homers in 326 at-bats in 2008 and earned a regular role for '09.
Hairston was batting .299 with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs and a .358 on-base percentage in 56 games with the Friars when they traded him to the A's on Sunday for two Minor League pitchers and a player to be named later. Installed immediately as Oakland's everyday center fielder and No. 3 hitter, Hairston, 29, homered off Josh Beckett in the first at-bat of his first start with the A's in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
On Wednesday, having already done his homework on the four unfamiliar starting pitchers he'd be facing in the final four games before the All-Star break, he sat down with MLB.com for the latest installment of oaklandathletics.com's getting-to-know-you feature, "Q's with A's."
MLB.com: What was your initial reaction to being traded to Oakland?
Hairston: I was choked up, because initially I was just kind of reflecting on my time in San Diego. As a player at this time of year, you always know there's a possibility of something happening, but I did enjoy being with San Diego and they treated me very well there. So it was a very emotional time for me. I had to say goodbye to everybody, and it was hard because I made some good friends over there. But once it sunk in, knowing the tradition of great teams they have in Oakland, I felt fortunate to be coming over here. To be able to stay on the West Coast, that's good for me and my family. And I'll still get a chance to play every day. It's exciting. It's a new chapter.
MLB.com: Was being traded this time any different than when the D-backs traded you to San Diego?
Hairston: The first time, I was ready for a change. This time around, it just kind of came out of the blue. But I'm excited for the opportunity here. It's great to be here with guys like [Jason] Giambi, Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Nomar [Garciaparra] -- guys who have had a lot of success in the big leagues. I think I'm going to enjoy being a part of this team.
MLB.com: Was there anyone here you already knew?
Hairston: Edgar Gonzalez and I came up together in the Minor Leagues with Arizona, so it's good to be reunited with him. And I knew Nomar because we've worked out together at Athlete's Performance [Institute] in Tempe [Ariz.], which is where I do my offseason work. It wasn't a situation where I didn't know anybody, so that's helped a lot. Guys have been really nice. So far, so good.
MLB.com: What did you know of the 2009 A's before the trade?
Hairston: I really didn't know what was going on here. I knew they acquired Matt and Giambi and have a lot of thump in the lineup. And young arms, I knew they had good young arms.
MLB.com: Is center field your best and/or favorite defensive position?
Hairston: Center or left. I've been playing mostly center this year, so I feel real comfortable there. But I've played a lot in left, too, in my career. ... I could probably play second base if I had to, but I think that would have to be in a real emergency.
MLB.com: How nice is it to finally be an everyday player in the big leagues?
Hairston: It's great. This year was the first year I could go to bed at night and wake up in the morning and know I was going to be in the lineup. That's huge. It's something I've never had, and I really appreciate it. It helps you settle into a routine and get your timing down. Earlier in my career, I was in a platoon situation, and it's hard to get your timing down like that. You might feel great for two days, and then you have to sit because a right-hander's on the mound.
MLB.com: Is switching leagues a big deal?
Hairston: I'll be facing pitchers I've never seen, but there's video to look at. And I look at it from both sides. I haven't seen those guys, but they haven't seen me, either. I'm still confident I can go out and get the job done. Having some American League veterans around will help, too.
MLB.com: You mentioned your family. Married with children?
Hairston: Yeah, I've been married for more than four years. My wife's name is Jill. And I have two little boys. Landon is 3 1/2, and Dallas is 2.
MLB.com: Where are you going to live during the rest of the season?
Hairston: There's a Web site for MLB wives, and my wife's been on there talking to people trying to figure things out. I've heard Walnut Creek is nice, but I'll leave that to her.
MLB.com: Any hobbies?
Hairston: I play golf in the offseason. I don't keep track of my handicap, but I would say in the 80s is usually where I'm at -- high 80s. If I'm in the 90s, it's a bad day.
MLB.com: And, finally, what are your plans for the All-Star break?
Hairston: We were planning to go to Disneyland, but that might get changed. It depends if we find a place to live. We're in the process right now, and we'd like to get settled in as soon as possible, so I don't know if we'll have time for Disneyland or not.
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
