Jim Ray Hart – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Ray Hart stood out as one of baseball’s most promising power hitters in the 1960s. He played third base for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees from 1963 to 1974.

Born in North Carolina, Hart signed as an amateur free agent for just $1,000. Over 12 Major League seasons, he smashed 170 home runs and drove in 578 runs.

Hart’s story, from a small-town sharecropper’s son to All-Star, really shows both the opportunity and struggle that players faced in baseball’s so-called golden era.

Hart retired in 1974, ending a career that flashed tremendous offensive potential but ran into defensive issues and injuries. Those setbacks really limited his prime years.

He batted .278 for his career and earned National League All-Star honors in 1966. Still, Hart’s time in the majors was shaped by his struggles at third base—he led the league in errors more than once—and by personal challenges that affected his later seasons.

Hart’s baseball journey is the story of a player with raw talent and serious power at the plate. He contributed a lot offensively, but his path included tough years in the minors, memorable seasons with the Giants, and a statistical peak that didn’t last as long as it could’ve.

After baseball, he worked in a warehouse in California, marking a sharp transition from the big leagues.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Jim Ray Hart grew up in a small North Carolina town, starting his journey to Major League Baseball in rural poverty. His family’s struggles and his natural athletic ability shaped his path.

Hart was born into a sharecropping family in 1941. He found his baseball skills playing for his high school team and local amateur leagues, eventually catching the eye of professional scouts.

Family Background and Childhood in North Carolina

James Ray Hart was born October 30, 1941, in Lenoir County, North Carolina. He was one of six children born to Amos and Essie Lee (Jones) Hart.

The family soon moved to Hookerton, North Carolina, where money was tight. Amos Hart worked as a sharecropper on a nearby farm and struggled to support everyone.

Life was tough. Hart’s father also bootlegged to bring in extra cash.

As a teenager, Hart helped out by working in the cotton fields. He picked cotton and hauled heavy bales before and after school.

Baseball became his escape from those hard days. In 1950s North Carolina, the sport offered a break from rural poverty.

Discovery of Talent and Amateur Baseball

Hart’s baseball talent popped up during his years at Snow Hill High School. He started as a catcher and showed real promise behind the plate.

His skills weren’t limited to high school. Hart played semipro baseball on Sundays, gaining experience against older, tougher players.

Those amateur games helped him develop his hitting and field awareness. Local fans and scouts noticed his natural power and batting ability.

Playing both high school and semipro ball gave Hart steady competition all week. That regular action helped him sharpen his technique and gain confidence.

His strong performances in these leagues drew professional scouts. They saw his potential, even though he came from a rural background and had little formal coaching.

Signing with the San Francisco Giants

In 1960, the San Francisco Giants signed Hart to his first pro contract. The $1,000 signing bonus meant a lot to his family.

Hart jumped right into the Giants’ minor league system. His first stop was the Salem Rebels in the Rookie Appalachian League.

Signing with the Giants gave Hart a real shot to leave poverty behind. Baseball became a way to support his family and chase a dream.

The Giants saw a raw but talented player who needed some polish. They planned to move him through their minor league system and help him learn different positions.

This signing started Hart’s professional journey. The shy North Carolina teenager was about to step into a world far from the cotton fields of Hookerton.

Major League Baseball Career

Jim Ray Hart played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly as a third baseman for the San Francisco Giants and then with the New York Yankees. He put up a .278 batting average, hit 170 home runs, and drove in 578 runs across 1,125 games.

Hart quickly built a reputation as a power hitter during the second dead-ball era.

San Francisco Giants Years (1963–1973)

Hart debuted in MLB on July 7, 1963, for the San Francisco Giants at age 21. His breakout came in 1964, when he put up numbers that earned him Rookie of the Year consideration.

Peak Performance Years:

• 1964: .286 batting average, 31 home runs, 81 RBIs
• 1965: .299 batting average, 23 home runs, 96 RBIs
• 1966: .285 batting average, 33 home runs, 93 RBIs
• 1967: .289 batting average, 29 home runs, 99 RBIs

In 1967, Hart had his best season—he hit .289 with 29 home runs and 99 RBIs. That year, he finished 17th in MVP voting.

The National League selected him as an All-Star in 1966. Hart kept putting up strong power numbers with the Giants, but his fielding at third base was a weak spot.

Injuries and declining performance reduced his playing time in later years with San Francisco. By 1972, Hart only played in 24 games before the Giants traded him.

Transition to New York Yankees (1973–1974)

Hart joined the New York Yankees midway through the 1973 season after a trade from the Giants. The American League’s designated hitter rule fit his skill set, letting him focus on offense and worry less about defense.

With the Yankees, Hart played in 124 games over two seasons. In 1973, he batted .254 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 114 games.

His last MLB season in 1974 was brief—just 10 games. Hart struggled badly, hitting only .053 with no home runs before retiring on May 27, 1974.

The Yankees stint was Hart’s last shot at extending his career. The DH role let him focus on hitting, but age and declining skills caught up to him.

Key Achievements and Awards

Hart’s top recognition came with his 1966 All-Star selection. He also finished as runner-up for the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year.

Career Highlights:

• 12 MLB seasons (1963-1974)
• .278 career batting average
• 170 home runs
• 578 RBIs
• 1,125 games played

He earned MVP consideration in 1964 (18th), 1965 (15th), and 1967 (17th). Those rankings show how much his power meant to the Giants during their competitive years.

Hart finished with a career OPS of .813 and an OPS+ of 127, which proves he was an above-average hitter during a pitcher-friendly era.

Notable Seasons and Career Highlights

Hart had several standout seasons that made him one of the National League’s top third basemen. His 1964 breakthrough and 1966 All-Star selection marked him as a consistent power threat. Certain games also showed his knack for delivering in big moments.

Breakout Rookie Season

In 1964, Hart arrived as a legitimate Major League star. At 22, he played 153 games and put up a .286 batting average.

He jumped from his brief 1963 debut to blasting 31 home runs and driving in 81 RBIs. Hart quickly became a reliable run producer in the Giants’ lineup.

That year, he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting and 18th in MVP voting.

Hart collected 162 hits and scored 71 runs in 1964. His .498 slugging percentage showed his growing power, and his 132 OPS+ put him well above the league average.

All-Star Selection and Performance

Hart’s only All-Star selection came in 1966, one of his best seasons. He hit .285 with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs in 156 games.

That year, he also posted a 6.5 WAR, his highest single-season total, while keeping up strong offense.

From 1965 to 1967, Hart averaged 28 home runs and 96 RBIs per season. That three-year stretch was his peak.

In 1967, he hit 29 home runs, drove in 99 RBIs, and got on base at a .373 clip. He finished 17th in MVP voting, even though he didn’t make the All-Star team that year.

Memorable Games and Milestones

Hart had some big single-game performances. He joined a select group by driving in six RBIs in one game, showing his ability to pile up runs.

His best years came in the mid-1960s, when he topped 30 home runs twice—31 in 1964 and 33 in 1966.

He finished his career with 170 home runs and 578 RBIs over 12 seasons. Hart collected 1,052 hits and kept a .278 average.

Hart also showed durability. He played at least 150 games in four different seasons, proving his value as an everyday player for the Giants.

July 1967 National League Player of the Month

Hart picked up the July 1967 Player of the Month award during one of his best years. Details about the award are a little hard to find, but it came in a season when he was at his peak.

In 1967, Hart posted a .373 on-base percentage and .509 slugging percentage. Those numbers marked the high point of his offense.

That July, he probably showed the kind of power and run production that defined his best seasons. The award was a nod to his elite play during a crucial stretch.

At 25, Hart was right in his prime. His 1967 totals of 29 home runs and 99 RBIs cemented his reputation as one of the National League’s most dangerous hitters at third base.

Statistical Legacy and Impact

Jim Ray Hart played 12 seasons and put up a .278 batting average, 170 home runs, and 578 RBIs in 1,125 games. His defensive work at third base and his overall stats made him a key player for the Giants in the 1960s.

Career Batting Statistics

Hart’s offense peaked in the mid-1960s with the Giants. His best year was 1966, when he hit 33 home runs, drove in 93 RBIs, and batted .285.

From 1964 to 1968, Hart averaged 28 home runs and 89 RBIs each year. In 1967, he set a career high with 99 RBIs and hit 29 home runs with a .289 average.

Key Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .278 (1,052 hits in 3,783 at-bats)
• Home Runs: 170 total
• RBIs: 578 total
• Games Played: 1,125

Hart’s power numbers dropped off after 1968. His last seasons with the Yankees saw less playing time and much lower production.

Defensive Reputation and Analysis

Hart played mostly third base, appearing in 1,001 games at the position for the Giants. His defensive numbers showed solid fundamentals at the hot corner.

During his best years, Hart handled third base well for San Francisco. He gave the team stability at a tough position during its competitive run in the mid-1960s.

Later in his career, Hart’s versatility let him play other positions. The Yankees used him as a designated hitter at the end.

His fielding stats showed steady performance at third base. Hart kept up adequate defensive standards while putting up strong offensive numbers during his prime.

Rankings and Historical Assessments

Hart’s career WAR of 24.9 really shows how much he contributed during his 12 years on the field.

His best season? That was 1966, when he put up a 6.5 WAR.

Baseball reference sources actually put Hart among the more productive third basemen of the 1960s.

He stood out as one of the better offensive players at his position back then.

Hart got MVP consideration more than once, finishing 15th in 1965 and 17th in 1967.

He made the All-Star team in 1966, right at his peak.

With 170 career home runs, Hart showed real power for a third baseman in that era.

His offensive contributions helped anchor the Giants lineup during their best years, at least until things started to slide in 1969.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Jim Ray Hart’s baseball career wrapped up in 1974 when he was 32, which is a bit earlier than most players hang it up.

He switched gears and took a job with the Teamsters union, building a new kind of reputation among folks outside the game.

Reasons for Retirement in 1974

Hart left Major League Baseball after his playing time dropped off a cliff in his last few seasons.

By 1969, when he was just 27, his numbers had taken a sharp downturn, which is odd since that’s usually when players hit their stride.

The mid-to-late 1960s made things tough for hitters, honestly.

People even called it baseball’s second “dead ball era,” and that probably didn’t help Hart’s stats.

Hart played his final MLB game on May 27, 1974 against the Chicago White Sox.

He went 0-for-4 that day, quietly ending his major league career without much fuss.

After the majors let him go in 1974, Hart gave it another shot in Mexico.

He kept playing there for two more seasons, finally retiring from baseball in 1976.

Activities After MLB

Once Hart stopped playing, he went in a totally different direction.

He joined the Teamsters union and started working as a warehouseman for Safeway Stores in Richmond, California.

Hart stuck with Safeway for over three decades.

When the company moved to Tracy, California in 1992, he packed up and moved with the job.

His post-baseball work turned out to be steady and long-lasting.

Hart stayed with Safeway until 2006, clocking in 32 years of service.

That kind of transition wasn’t unusual for players from his era.

Back then, guys usually needed a second career after baseball—unlike today’s stars.

Hart managed to reinvent himself as a union worker, showing he could adapt when the game was over.

He built a new life outside baseball’s glare.

Legacy Among Baseball Peers

Hart played 12 seasons and put up numbers that earned him respect from teammates and opponents.

He finished with a .278 batting average, 170 home runs, and 578 RBIs in 1,125 games.

His main years with the San Francisco Giants from 1963 to 1973 made him a reliable third baseman.

Teammates remembered him as someone they could count on when the team was in the hunt.

Hart spent a short time with the New York Yankees in 1973-1974, which marked the last stop of his career.

Even though he didn’t stay long, the Yankees still wanted his experience.

Baseball historians see Hart as a solid player who ran into some tough times offensively because of the era he played in.

His numbers probably would’ve looked even better if he’d played in a more hitter-friendly time.

Hart died on May 19, 2016 in Acampo, California, leaving behind memories of a dependable major league career and a successful life after baseball.

Personal Life, Death, and Legacy

Hart faced some tough personal struggles during his career, like alcoholism and legal troubles that definitely impacted his performance.

He passed away in 2016 at age 74 in California, where he’d worked after his baseball days.

Family and Personal Challenges

Hart grew up in North Carolina in a family that didn’t have much.

His father, Amos Hart, worked as a sharecropper and bootlegger.

Hart was one of six children born to Amos and Essie Lee Jones Hart.

As a shy kid from a sharecropper’s family, Hart often felt out of place in the Giants clubhouse.

He struggled to fit in with big personalities like Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Juan Marichal.

Alcohol became a big issue for Hart while he played.

He admitted he started drinking corn whiskey as a teenager.

His drinking habits included beers in the clubhouse after games, and then heading out for double shots of I.W. Harper bourbon at local bars.

In late October 1968, Hart hit and killed a pedestrian named Dorothy Selmi while driving in San Francisco.

No one ever said if alcohol played a part in that accident.

Willie Mays tried to help Hart with his drinking, but it didn’t work out.

Alcohol problems, along with injuries and weight gain, made Hart’s performance drop off in his later years.

Passing in 2016

Jim Ray Hart died on May 19, 2016, at 74 in Acampo, California.

He’d been living there after his baseball career finished.

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1974, Hart played in Mexico before retiring fully in 1976.

He then joined the Teamsters union and worked as a warehouseman for Safeway Stores.

Hart worked for Safeway in Richmond, California, and later moved to Tracy, California, when the company relocated in 1992.

He retired from Safeway in 2006 after many years on the job.

Burial and Memorial Information

Records show that Jim Ray Hart was cremated after he passed away. Nobody has listed a specific cemetery for his remains.

Hart wrapped up his 12-season career with a .278 batting average. He hit 170 home runs and drove in 578 RBIs across 1,125 games.

In 1966, the National League picked him as an All-Star. That’s not too surprising if you look at his numbers.

People still remember him as one of the more intimidating power hitters for the San Francisco Giants during the mid-1960s. From 1964 to 1968, he averaged 27 home runs a year, which is pretty impressive for any era.