Joe Hicks
Born: 4/7/1933 in Ivy, VA, USA
Died: 12/2/2023 in Charlottesville, VA, USA
MLB Debut: 1959-09-18 | Final Game: 1963-09-29
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: William Joseph Hicks
Biography
Joe Hicks was a professional baseball player born in 1933, who played in Major League Baseball from 1959 until his retirement on September 29, 1963. As a position player, Hicks appeared in 212 games, showcasing his skills primarily in the outfield. Throughout his career, he recorded 92 hits, including 12 home runs, and drove in 39 runs, finishing with a batting average of .221. Known for his versatility on the field and his ability to contribute in various capacities, Hicks also demonstrated some speed on the bases, stealing 3 bases during his time in the league.
Hicks' career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, marked by the transition from the deadball era to a more offense-driven approach. While he may not have achieved the statistical prominence of some of his contemporaries, Hicks' journey through the major leagues reflects the experiences of many players of his time, who navigated the complexities of a changing sport. His contributions, though modest in terms of raw numbers, added depth to the teams he played for and highlighted the importance of role players in a successful ball club.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 212 | 416 | 41 | 92 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 39 | 3 | 29 | 73 | 0.221 | 0.278 | 0.349 | 0.626 | -683.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | CHW | AL | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.429 | 0.0 |
| 1960 | CHW | AL | 36 | 47 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0.191 | -216.4 |
| 1961 | WS2 | AL | 12 | 29 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.172 | 0.0 |
| 1962 | WS2 | AL | 102 | 174 | 20 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 15 | 34 | 0.224 | -297.2 |
| 1963 | NYN | NL | 56 | 159 | 16 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 31 | 0.226 | -170.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 108 | 79 | 188 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | CHA | OF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1960 | CHA | OF | 14 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1961 | WS2 | OF | 7 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | WS2 | OF | 42 | 29 | 74 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 1963 | NYN | OF | 41 | 36 | 83 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 17 |
| Center Field | 69 |
| Right Field | 26 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville | VA | 1951, 1952, 1953 |