Kevin’s Favorite Padres: #10. Scott Hairston

The offseason is a little slow for Padres news currently, so I thought it would be fun to remember some of the Padres that I have loved. Keep in mind, I am only 27-years-old, so all of the guys are gonna be from what I call the Kevin era (1995-present). Obviously, there will not be a ton of surprises on this list, but I think the #10 guy will be. Man, I love me some Scott Hairston.

Hariston was part of what seemed like a minor trade in 2007, when he was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks for reliever Leo Rosales. However, Hairston’s heroics were nothing close to minor.

Aug 25, 2012; Flushing, NY,USA; New York Mets left fielder Scott Hairston (12) singles to center during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Citi Field. Mets won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

I remember Hariston’s first start as a Padre quite fondly. In his first game, he slammed two homers, one of them a walk-off shot. In 2007 with the Padres, Hairston slammed eight bombs in just 87 at-bats. Hairston always had a flair for the dramatic and he would be a guy I would love to have coming off the bench in an important spot.

My favorite Hairston moment was in game 163 of the 2007 season. The Padres were playing for a shot at the playoffs and Hairston hit a bomb that gave the Padres the lead. We all know that the Padres lost that game, but I jumped out my chair when Hairston slammed that baseball into the Denver night.

If Trevor Hoffman didn’t crap his pants in the bottom-half of the inning, Hairston’s shot might be considered one of the biggest hits in the history of Padres baseball. Alas, it was just a minor footnote in the failure of 2007.

The Padres traded Hairston to Oakland in 2009 and I was sad. Then in 2010, they brought him back and I was happy to have my Scottie back. His second time around wasn’t as magical, but Hairston will always have a place in my heart. I love the guy.

He is currently a free agent and has no place on this roster, but I am grateful for his contributions to Padres baseball. Hairston comes in at #10 on my list.