Nat Hicks
Born: 4/19/1845 in Hempstead, NY, USA
Died: 4/21/1907 in Hoboken, NJ, USA
MLB Debut: 1872-04-22 | Final Game: 1877-06-05
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 186 lbs
Full name: Nathan Woodhull Hicks
Biography
Nat Hicks, born in 1845, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1872 to 1877. As a position player, Hicks participated in 257 games during the early days of Major League Baseball, a period marked by the transition from the sport's formative years to a more structured league system. He recorded a total of 301 hits, which contributed to a career batting average of .264, reflecting the offensive expectations of his era. Though home runs were not as prevalent during his time, Hicks managed to hit 1 home run while driving in 116 runs and stealing 9 bases, showcasing his ability to contribute in various facets of the game.
Hicks played during a time when baseball was evolving from a more casual pastime into a competitive sport with established teams and fan bases. His contributions on the field were significant in helping to shape the early character of the game. Despite the relatively low home run totals of the era, his offensive production placed him among the notable players of his time, and his overall performance remains a part of the rich tapestry of baseball history. Hicks retired on June 5, 1877, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the development of professional baseball in its infancy.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 257 | 1142 | 172 | 301 | 35 | 6 | 1 | 116 | 9 | 25 | 23 | 0.264 | 0.279 | 0.307 | 0.587 | -462.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1872 | NY2 | 56 | 267 | 54 | 82 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0.307 | 305.7 | |
| 1873 | NY2 | 28 | 120 | 12 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0.242 | -150.2 | |
| 1874 | PH2 | 58 | 266 | 51 | 73 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 0.274 | -66.3 | |
| 1875 | NY2 | 62 | 269 | 32 | 67 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 0.249 | -177.0 | |
| 1876 | NY3 | NL | 45 | 188 | 20 | 44 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.234 | -374.9 |
| 1877 | CN1 | NL | 8 | 32 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 252 | 108 | 1275 | 245 | 352 | 24 |
| OF | 12 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1872 | NY2 | C | 54 | 52 | 295 | 34 | 47 | 3 |
| 1872 | NY2 | OF | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1873 | NY2 | C | 28 | 0 | 170 | 23 | 55 | 4 |
| 1874 | PH2 | C | 57 | 56 | 261 | 59 | 69 | 4 |
| 1874 | PH2 | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1874 | PH2 | OF | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1875 | NY2 | C | 60 | 0 | 296 | 67 | 80 | 7 |
| 1875 | NY2 | OF | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1876 | NY3 | C | 45 | 0 | 222 | 47 | 94 | 3 |
| 1877 | CN1 | C | 8 | 0 | 31 | 15 | 7 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 251 |
| Second Base | 1 |
| Center Field | 4 |
| Right Field | 7 |