Jim Hickman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Hickman wrapped up his baseball career during the 1974 season, closing out a 13-year run in Major League Baseball that started with a lot of promise and ended in a low-key, respectful way.

He grew up in Henning, Tennessee, and played for four teams: the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Hickman retired from professional baseball in 1974 after spending his last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, the same team where he kicked off his pro journey almost two decades earlier.

People called him “Gentleman Jim” because of his calm attitude and the way he carried himself on the field.

He worked as an outfielder and first baseman during a time when baseball was changing fast.

Hickman’s story, from a small Tennessee town to the big league stadiums, has that classic American dream feel.

He had breakthrough moments and tough stretches that really tested him.

Hickman stuck with it, showing persistence and the ability to adapt, just like a lot of players from his era.

He faced the hurdles of breaking into professional baseball, dealt with the pressure in big cities like New York, and found his groove with the Chicago Cubs.

That’s where he really shined, picking up individual honors and helping the team compete in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Early Life and Background

James Lucius Hickman was born on May 10, 1937, in Henning, Tennessee.

He grew up as an only child in a working-class family.

He showed his athletic side early at Ripley High School, where he excelled in several sports.

He even got scholarship offers in three different sports.

Family Origins in Tennessee

James Lucius Hickman entered the world in Henning, Tennessee, which sits about 40 miles north of Memphis.

Back then, the town had around 400 people living in it.

His parents, James William and Louise (Wilkes) Hickman, both worked hard to keep the family going.

His dad drove trucks independently, and his mom worked as a seamstress at a clothing factory in nearby Ripley.

The Hickmans always stayed close to Tennessee.

After his parents retired, they ran a small cafe in Henning for a short time.

As an only child in that close-knit rural place, Hickman learned the values and work ethic that would later earn him the “Gentleman Jim” nickname.

High School and Amateur Athletic Accomplishments

Hickman went to Ripley High School, where his athletic talents stood out in more than one sport.

He lettered in three sports and got scholarship offers in baseball, basketball, and football.

During high school, his baseball skills really turned heads.

He played all over the field: pitcher, first, second, third base, and outfield positions.

His son Joey once said, “He could throw a corn husk 75 to 80 miles an hour. My dad was just gifted. He could do a little bit of everything in athletics.”

Those high school years in Ripley set the stage for his baseball career.

His son Bill put it simply: “everything started from when he was in high school,” showing how important those early days were.

Collegiate Years at Mississippi and Memphis State

After high school, Hickman started college at the University of Mississippi.

He played freshman basketball for the Rebels but only stuck around for one semester.

He then transferred to Memphis State University and spent two years there during the offseason.

This setup let him keep up with school while prepping for pro baseball.

His time at Memphis State lined up with the start of his minor league career.

Back then, a lot of young baseball players did college in the offseason.

While in college, Hickman married his high school sweetheart, Juanita “Nita” Scott, on June 7, 1956, in Albany, Georgia.

That big personal moment happened just as he was starting out in the minor leagues.

Path to the Major Leagues

Jim Hickman’s path to the majors started at 18 when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956.

He spent six seasons in the Cardinals’ farm system but never made it to the big leagues there.

His break came through the 1962 National League expansion draft when the New York Mets picked him.

Signing with the St. Louis Cardinals Organization

Growing up in Tennessee, Hickman rooted for the Cardinals.

At 18, he signed his first pro contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956.

“As a kid, I didn’t know there was any other club except the Cardinals,” he once told The Sporting News.

Getting to sign with his favorite team was a dream come true.

The Cardinals liked his power at the plate, but the road to the majors turned out to be tougher than he probably expected.

Minor League Development with the Cardinals

Hickman played six seasons in the Cardinals’ minor league system from 1956 to 1961.

He put up strong power numbers but struggled with his batting average.

Some of his best seasons looked like this:

• 1957: 26 home runs and 113 RBI for Class D Albany, Georgia
• 1959: 22 home runs and 81 RBI for Class AA Tulsa
• 1961: 11 home runs and 57 RBI for Class AAA Portland, Oregon

Even with those numbers, the Cardinals never called him up to the majors.

The Sporting News once said, “The closest he ever got to the big club was a couple of early spring training camps.”

They handed him high uniform numbers, the kind they usually gave to unknown players, and he barely got noticed at spring training.

Expansion Draft and Joining the New York Mets

After 1961, the Cardinals left Hickman exposed in the National League expansion draft.

They’d cooled on him after a scouting report questioned his aggressiveness.

“I know people say I’m not aggressive,” Hickman said. “I give it all I got.”

The expansion New York Mets picked him up in the 1962 draft, finally giving him the shot he’d been waiting for.

Hickman debuted in the majors on April 14, 1962, at age 24.

Manager Casey Stengel put him in as an everyday outfielder for the Mets.

In his rookie year, Hickman hit .245 with 13 home runs over 140 games.

The Polo Grounds became his first big league home.

Major League Career Overview

Jim Hickman played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1974.

He hit .252 with 159 home runs and 560 RBIs in 1,421 games.

He started with the expansion New York Mets, had a short stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, found real success with the Chicago Cubs, and finished with the St. Louis Cardinals.

New York Mets Debut and Notable Moments

Hickman made his MLB debut on April 14, 1962, at the Polo Grounds, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The New York Mets picked him as their 18th expansion draft choice.

He pinch-hit and popped out to shortstop in his first game.

His rookie season was solid: 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .245 average.

He played all three outfield spots for the struggling Mets.

Some highlights with the Mets:

• First Met to hit for the cycle on August 7, 1963, against St. Louis
• Three straight home runs off Ray Sadecki on September 3, 1965
• Last home run ever at the Polo Grounds on September 18, 1963

When he hit for the cycle, he did it against Cardinals pitchers like Ernie Broglio and Barney Schultz.

He singled, doubled, tripled, and homered in that order during a 7-3 win.

His best Mets season came in 1964 with 57 RBIs and a .257 batting average.

A broken wrist in 1966 limited him to only 58 games that year.

Los Angeles Dodgers Season

The Mets traded Hickman and Ron Hunt to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tommy Davis and Derrell Griffith on November 29, 1966.

His time in Los Angeles just didn’t work out.

He played only 65 games in 1967, struggling to get at-bats—just 90 over six months.

That lack of playing time really frustrated him.

In a rare moment, he pitched for the first time since high school on June 23, 1967, against San Francisco.

After striking out as a pinch-hitter, he took the mound in the eighth inning.

He gave up just a single and a Willie Mays homer over two innings.

Later on, Hickman called the trade to LA “the worst thing that ever happened to him.”

The Dodgers put him on their minor league roster after the season.

He almost retired but decided to give it another shot elsewhere.

Peak Years With the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs got Hickman in April 1968 through a minor league trade.

He joined the Cubs on May 24, 1968, and found new energy in his career.

His best years came with Chicago from 1968 to 1972.

He helped the Cubs finish third in 1968 and played a big part in their 1969 pennant race.

The team led the league for much of that season.

August 1969 was huge for him—he hit 10 home runs and drove in 25 RBIs, bumping his average from .206 to .242.

He finished second to Willie Davis for National League Player of the Month.

Big moments from 1969:

• Grand slam and another homer against Houston on August 23
• Game-winning homer against Atlanta on August 29
• Stole home in a 5-4 win over Houston on August 6

His biggest achievement came in 1970, when he made the National League All-Star team.

He drove in Pete Rose with a 12th-inning single to win the All-Star Game at Cincinnati.

Final Season with the St. Louis Cardinals

Hickman came full circle, signing with the St. Louis Cardinals for the 1974 season at age 37.

The Cardinals had been a big part of his baseball life.

He first signed with them in 1956, spent years in their farm system, and then got picked by the Mets in the expansion draft.

His last season was tough.

On July 16, 1974, the Cardinals put the 37-year-old on waivers, ending his 13-year MLB career.

Hickman finished with a .252 batting average, 1,002 hits, 159 home runs, 518 runs scored, and 560 RBIs.

He played for four National League teams in the majors.

People kept calling him “Gentleman Jim” throughout his career.

His story, from small-town beginnings to big league success, really showed what perseverance and adaptability can do.

Highlights and Achievements

Jim Hickman racked up some memorable moments during his 13 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1974.

He became the first New York Met to hit three home runs in a single game, made the National League All-Star team in 1970, and won the National League Comeback Player of the Year award that same season.

First Met to Hit for the Cycle

On September 3, 1965, Jim Hickman made Mets history by becoming the first player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a game.

He did it against his old team, the St. Louis Cardinals, in a 6-3 win at Shea Stadium.

Hickman hit all three off Cardinals pitcher Ray Sadecki.

That performance set a franchise record for the Mets and showed just how much power Hickman had, even on teams that struggled.

The three-homer game came in his fourth season with the Mets.

It was a bright spot in a tough stretch for both Hickman and the team.

Three-Home Run Game Against the Cardinals

Hickman’s game on September 3, 1965, against the Cardinals stands out as one of the most unforgettable performances in early Mets history. The tall, 6-foot-4 outfielder just kept launching balls out of the park, taking Cardinals pitching deep three times that day.

This meant a lot to Hickman. He did it against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that first signed him as an amateur free agent. The Mets grabbed him from the Cardinals in the expansion draft before their first season in 1962.

Those three home runs powered the Mets to a 6-3 win. Hickman gave fans something to cheer for during a year when the team was still figuring out who they were in the National League.

1970 All-Star Game and National Recognition

Hickman hit the peak of his career in 1970, earning his only National League All-Star nod. That year, he blasted 32 home runs, drove in 115 runs, and hit .315 for the Chicago Cubs.

In the 1970 All-Star Game, Hickman played a huge part in the National League’s win. He came through with a game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th that drove in Pete Rose, who famously crashed into catcher Ray Fosse at the plate.

The Rose-Fosse collision became legendary. Hickman’s clutch hit set the stage for that wild moment and handed the National League a dramatic victory.

Hickman’s big 1970 season landed him eighth in the National League MVP voting. Cubs teammate Billy Williams gave him props, calling him “a good fastball, low-ball hitter” who “didn’t hardly miss the fastball.”

Awards and Career Milestones

Hickman took home the 1970 National League Comeback Player of the Year award after a huge turnaround from the year before. In 1969, he struggled with a .237 average, but came back strong with a .315 mark in 1970.

He finished his career with 159 home runs and 560 RBIs in 1,421 games. Hickman posted two 20-home run seasons (1969 and 1970) and one 30-home run season (1970).

The 1970 season was the only time he topped 100 RBIs and 100 runs. Even though he played for some rough teams, Hickman kept putting up solid power numbers year after year.

He played all over the field, logging 365 games in center and plenty of time at first base and the corner outfield spots.

Playing Style and Field Positions

Jim Hickman built his 13-year MLB career around defensive versatility and a knack for clutch hitting. He swung and threw right-handed, moving around the diamond while providing timely power from 1962-1974.

Primary Roles: Outfielder and First Baseman

Hickman mainly played as an outfielder, spending most of his career across all three outfield positions. He covered center, right, and left field with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.

His 6’3″ frame and 192-pound build gave him the size for the outfield. Hickman’s defense got better, especially during his time with the Cubs from 1968-1973.

He also took on first base duties when teams needed a flexible defender. That kind of adaptability made him valuable to managers who liked to mix up their lineups.

Throwing right-handed gave him enough arm strength for the outfield. Early on, nobody called him a top defender, but Hickman worked hard and became reliable with the glove.

Pinch Hitter and Versatile Assignments

Hickman’s role as a pinch hitter grew more important as his career went on. He had a knack for coming through off the bench in big moments.

He played seven different positions over his career, including pitcher, first base, third base, and all three outfield spots. That kind of versatility kept him around, even when his batting average dipped.

Managers liked sending him up to pinch hit in high-pressure spots. Hickman’s power made him a tempting choice when they needed a game-changing at-bat.

He could fill in at multiple positions, giving teams some flexibility and a little extra punch off the bench when regulars needed a break.

Batting Approach and Power Hitting

Hickman batted right-handed and finished with a career .252 average, 159 home runs, and 560 RBIs over 1,421 games. Power was definitely his calling card.

He focused on driving the ball for extra bases, not just making contact. Hickman’s 21 home runs in 1969 helped the Cubs during their big run for first place.

He really found his groove in Chicago, where he got steady playing time. In August 1969, he went on a tear with 10 homers and 25 RBIs in just one month.

Hickman’s power hitting made up for his lower batting averages. He delivered big hits when it mattered, like his winning RBI in the 1970 All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Jim Hickman’s baseball legacy is all about his clutch hitting and the steady, professional way he carried himself. His defining moment came in the 1970 All-Star Game. After his playing days, he passed on his knowledge as a hitting coach, helping younger players develop.

Reputation Among Teammates and Fans

People called Hickman “Gentleman Jim” because of his professional attitude and quiet leadership. Teammates always appreciated his work ethic and how he handled pressure.

Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks once wrote in the Chicago Tribune that Hickman “contributed a lot to the Cubs’ success so far, producing both with his bat and glove in many tight games.” Banks pointed out how Hickman’s home runs “usually meant something,” showing his flair for the big moment.

Manager Leo Durocher saw Hickman’s value during the Cubs’ 1969 pennant chase. “He has been some kind of ball player for us,” Durocher said. “He has saved us time after time with big hits that either won the game for us or put us in position to win.”

Authors Eddie Gold and Art Ahrens summed up his rise this way: “If there was ever an unexpected hero in Cub history, it was Jim Hickman. A near-nothing for a dozen years, he emerged as an overnight hero when least expected.”

Connection to Hall of Famers and Legendary Games

Hickman’s biggest mark on baseball history came in the 1970 All-Star Game at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium. His single in the twelfth drove in Pete Rose for the winning run in the National League’s 5-4 win.

That clutch hit put Hickman at the center of one of the most famous All-Star Games ever. The game featured several Hall of Famers and showed off the National League’s competitive side during a key era.

Hickman played alongside and against plenty of future Hall of Famers. With the Cubs, he shared the lineup with Banks and Billy Williams, two franchise legends.

He also made some history himself. Hickman became the first New York Met to hit for the cycle on August 7, 1963, against St. Louis. He hit the last home run ever at the old Polo Grounds on September 18, 1963.

Retirement and Post-Playing Life

Hickman retired in 1974 after his last season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Right after that, he jumped into coaching.

He spent years as a minor-league hitting coach for the Cincinnati Reds organization. In that job, he shared what he knew about situational hitting and the mental side of the game with a steady stream of young prospects.

He really believed in patience and clutch hitting, just like he showed during his own playing days. Players appreciated his calm attitude and the straightforward way he taught hitting.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame keeps Hickman’s player file, giving a nod to everything he did for the game. His big moment in the 1970 All-Star Game and his spot in early Mets history still stand out in baseball lore.

Hickman died on June 25, 2016, at age 79 in Tennessee. He spent his life in baseball, from rural Tennessee all the way to helping young players in his later years.