After winning his career-first World Series with the New York Yankees last year, Scottsdale resident Jerry Hairston, Jr., signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. This deal not only employs Hairston’s ability to play multiple positions as a utility player, but also puts him on the same team as his younger brother, Scott, for the first time—making the Hairstons the seventh set of brothers/teammates to play for the Padres. (The Hairstons are also the third family to have had three generations play professional baseball.) Read on as Hairston talks about his World Series win and what you can find him doing in the off-season.
When did you know you wanted to play professional baseball?
Ever since I can remember I always wanted to be a baseball player. My grandfather played, my father played and my uncle played. I think that it’s only natural for sons to be like their fathers. And I wanted to be around him [Jerry Hairston, Sr.] and he was around the baseball park.
Did you ever feel that it was something you had to do because your father and grandfather did?
No. It was something I always wanted to do.
Would you like Jackson, your son, to follow in your footsteps of playing professional baseball?
If that is something he would like to do. I will approach it in the same way my father approached it. I will encourage him and help him if he wants to do it. If not, I just want him to be successful in whatever he tries to do in life.
Did you ever play against your brother?
Yes. I actually played against him a couple of times last year [2009-2010 season], earlier as a Cincinnati Red and he a San Diego Padre and then later in the year as a New York Yankee and he as an Oakland Athletic. We [the Yankees] won that game. Ironically, he too got traded last year.
How does it feel to play for the San Diego Padres?
This is my first chance to play on the West Coast. I like it a lot; it’s a laidback atmosphere in San Diego.
Do you relocate for each team?
My home is Scottsdale. And wherever I play, I rent a place.
How did it feel to score game two’s winning run in the ALCS with the New York Yankees in 2009?
It was a big game for us. We were up one game to none and to win that game Field of Dreams helped propel us into the World Series. It was definitely the highlight of my career. I will never forget it.
How did you celebrate your career-first World Series win?
Jay-Z threw us a party. We celebrated as a team. I didn’t get back home until 8 a.m.
What do you do in the off-season?
Relax. Being the son of a Major Leaguer you realize your career only lasts so long. I would like to play for another three to five years, but as my career starts to wind down, I try to plan for life after baseball. I started to get into broadcasting. That is an avenue I would like to pursue and something I have done in the past.
Would you like to stay in Arizona?
I love it here. My wife is from here. This will always be my base. I also love to golf—my golf game definitely needs practice. What better place to practice than in the Valley?
