By David Schuster-

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) As a free agent, Scott Hairston had options, but there was no question in his mind that he wanted to play for the Cubs.

Hairston grew up in the Chicagoland area and as a youngster went to Wrigley Field numerous times. He has played with five different major league teams now but always dreamed of returning home.

“I’m very excited to return to Chicago and play. It’s been a long time in the making and something I wanted to do growing up which was to play for a Chicago team,” he said.

The 32-year-old outfielder comes from a long heritage of baseball lifers as both his grandfather and father played in the major leagues. His brother, Jerry, currently plays for the Dodgers too and that heritage makes Scott proud.

“I have a lot of people who come up to me and ask me questions and I do take a lot of pride and feel really blessed being able to come from a baseball family,” Hairston said. “I’ve had a lot of great men before me set the fine example and without them I wouldn’t be here today.”

Coming from Chicago, Hairston has a first-hand knowledge of what it has been like for Cubs fans who have waited for over a century to reach the top of the mountain and he says it would be unbelievable if he is on the team when/if it wins the World Series.

“Oh wow, it would be amazing. I have a lot of friends who I went to high school with and they’re all big Cub fans,” Hairston said. “I know the city is dying for a winning team and a championship and hopefully we can bring that to them while I’m here.”

For more Cubs spring training coverage from Mesa, Ariz, click here. Find all of David Schuster’s spring training blogs here and follow him on Twitter (@schumouse).