Jack Hiatt – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jack Hiatt’s name doesn’t show up on any Hall of Fame plaques, but if you look at his nine-year Major League Baseball career, you’ll see the kind of dedication and perseverance that defined pro baseball in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

He was born in Bakersfield, California in 1942, and climbed up through the minors to become a reliable catcher. Hiatt played for six different teams before finally hanging up his cleats in 1972.

Hiatt wrapped up his career with the California Angels in 1972, after catching for Hall of Fame pitchers like Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal. He played alongside legends—Willie Mays and Willie McCovey, just to name a couple.

Starting as a high school player in San Fernando and making it all the way to the majors, Hiatt’s story really is that classic baseball journey of talent meeting opportunity during one of the sport’s most competitive eras.

His career stats? They show a dependable player who chipped in wherever he landed. Hiatt finished with a .251 batting average, 22 home runs, and 154 RBIs across 483 games.

After his playing days, Hiatt moved into coaching and then the front office with the San Francisco Giants. He brought his baseball knowledge to a whole new level, staying valuable to the sport for decades after retirement.

Jack Hiatt’s Early Life and Background

Jack Hiatt came into the world in Bakersfield, California on July 27, 1942. He followed a pretty traditional path, playing high school and junior college ball before signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 1961.

His road from San Fernando High School to the majors really shows how talent can develop steadily over time. That nine-year major league career didn’t just happen overnight.

Birthplace and Family

Jack E. Hiatt was born on July 27, 1942, in Bakersfield, California.

He grew up in Southern California in the ‘40s and ‘50s. His family later moved to the San Fernando area, which ended up being pretty important for his baseball growth.

The San Fernando Valley had a strong high school baseball scene. Not a lot is known about Hiatt’s immediate family or what they did for work.

But growing up in California gave him access to year-round baseball weather, which sure doesn’t hurt when you’re developing your game.

Path to Professional Baseball

Hiatt went to San Fernando High School, a place that produced several major leaguers. Guys like Gary Matthews and Buddy Bradford also came out of there.

That tradition probably helped Hiatt along the way. After high school, he played at Los Angeles Pierce College, a junior college—pretty common for players looking to sharpen their skills before going pro.

The Los Angeles Angels signed Hiatt as a free agent in 1961. The Angels had just started playing that year, so they were looking for talent.

Expansion teams like that often gave young players more chances to move up.

Notable High School and Amateur Achievements

There aren’t many details about Hiatt’s high school stats or awards. But the fact that he landed a spot at Los Angeles Pierce College says he did well enough at the prep level.

He played well enough at Pierce College to catch the attention of pro scouts. The Angels signed him in 1961, so he must’ve shown the right skills.

Getting signed directly by a big league team—rather than being drafted—means he really impressed someone during his amateur days. His catching and overall baseball skills were good enough for pro development at just 19.

MLB Career Overview and Teams

Jack Hiatt played in the big leagues for nine seasons, from 1964 to 1972. He spent most of that time with the San Francisco Giants, then bounced to the Chicago Cubs and a few other teams before calling it quits.

He kept up a .251 batting average over 483 games, mostly as a catcher for five organizations.

San Francisco Giants Years

Hiatt joined the San Francisco Giants in 1965 after his rookie year with the Angels. He stayed with the Giants for five seasons, from 1965 to 1969—that was the longest stint he had with any team.

While in San Francisco, Hiatt played with some real legends: Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Juan Marichal. He later said that being teammates with Willie Mays was his favorite memory from his career.

Hiatt’s best years came as a Giant. In 1968, he notched 52 hits, 10 doubles, four homers, and 34 RBIs for a team that finished second.

Then in 1969, he hit a career-high seven home runs and again drove in 34 runs.

His role with the Giants changed over the years. In 1965, his first season there, he only played in 49 games, splitting time with AAA Tacoma.

By 1967, though, he’d earned a regular spot on the big league roster.

Chicago Cubs Experience

The Chicago Cubs picked up Hiatt in May 1970, trading Boots Day to the Montreal Expos to get him. That stint in Chicago turned out to be one of his better runs as a role player.

Hiatt made a solid impact in 1970. He played in 66 games, collected 43 hits, hit two home runs, and drove in 22 runs.

He helped the Cubs stay competitive that year. While with the Cubs, he got to play alongside more big names, including Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams.

After the 1970 season, the Cubs traded Hiatt to the Houston Astros. His time in Chicago was short but productive.

Other MLB Teams Played For

Hiatt started his career with the Los Angeles Angels in 1964, making his debut on September 7. In that first game, he came through with a pinch-hit single in the 11th inning, driving in Willie Smith for the game-winner against the Red Sox.

The Montreal Expos had Hiatt on their roster briefly in April 1970, but he only spent a month with them before being traded to Chicago. That was by far the shortest stop in his career.

He returned to the California Angels in 1972, after a trade from the Houston Astros. That year, he played his final 22 games and hit .289.

1972 Season and Retirement

Jack Hiatt played his last Major League season with the California Angels, getting into 32 games before deciding to retire.

His final appearance came on October 3, 1972, ending a solid nine-year MLB run.

Final Teams and Games in 1972

Hiatt spent that last season with the California Angels. He got into 32 games in 1972.

His last MLB game took place on October 3, 1972, against the Oakland Athletics. In that game, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The box score shows he had 4 at-bats, 2 hits, 1 RBI, and no stolen bases. That was how he wrapped up his big league career at age 30.

Performance and Statistics in Final Season

In 1972, Hiatt played better at home than on the road. At home, he appeared in 14 games and had 28 at-bats.

Here’s what he did at home:

• .321 batting average
• 9 hits (2 doubles, 1 triple)
• 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• 4 walks, 5 strikeouts

On the road, Hiatt played 18 games with 42 at-bats, hitting .214.

He had 9 hits, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs scored on the road. He struck out 11 times and walked 6 times.

Reasons for Retirement

Hiatt retired from MLB after the 1972 season, at just 30 years old.

There’s not much out there about why he decided to step away. Once he finished playing, Hiatt didn’t leave the game behind.

He managed in the minors for a while, then joined the San Francisco Giants front office.

He worked with the Giants until 2007, eventually becoming their Director of Player Development.

A lot of former MLB players from that era made similar moves into coaching and front office jobs.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Jack Hiatt put up a .251 batting average, 22 home runs, and 154 RBIs over 483 games in his nine-year MLB career from 1964 to 1972.

His career WAR of 8.5 shows he brought solid value as a catcher. His best offensive year came in 1967, when he posted a .818 OPS for the Giants.

WAR, RBI, and OPS Highlights

Hiatt’s career WAR of 8.5 really shows how he contributed as a defensive catcher over nine seasons.

His best numbers came in 1968, when he posted a 1.8 WAR. He followed that with 1.7 WAR in 1969 and 1.5 WAR in 1967.

In 1967, Hiatt had his top offensive season with the Giants. He put up a .818 OPS, combining a .275 average with 6 home runs and 26 RBIs in 73 games.

That gave him a 135 OPS+, meaning he was 35% above league average.

Hiatt drove in 154 runs over his career, with most of those coming during his Giants years. He had 102 RBIs with San Francisco, including 26 in 1967 and 34 in 1968.

Batting and Fielding Performance

Hiatt’s .251 career average was pretty typical for a defense-first catcher back then. His best season by average came in 1964 with the Angels, when he hit .375 in just 9 games.

Career Batting Splits by Team:

• San Francisco Giants: .239 average (5 seasons)
• Houston Astros: .266 average (2 seasons)
• Los Angeles Angels: .311 average (2 seasons)
• Chicago Cubs: .242 average (1 season)
• Montreal Expos: .326 average (1 season)

Hiatt showed good plate discipline. He walked 224 times and struck out 295 times, ending up with a .374 on-base percentage.

He was especially patient in 1971 with Houston, posting a .401 OBP that year.

Notable Records and Honors

Hiatt never picked up any major individual awards, but he did hold down the starting catcher job for the Giants during their competitive run in the late ‘60s.

His 1967 season was his statistical peak, with career highs in games played (73), runs (24), and OPS (.818).

Hiatt brought versatility to every team he played for. Sure, he was mainly a catcher, but he also filled in at first base, third base, and even in the outfield when needed.

That flexibility helped him stick around across five organizations.

He spent the most time with San Francisco, logging five seasons and racking up 5.9 WAR. The Giants leaned on him as their main catcher during some crucial years when they were in the thick of the National League race.

Post-Playing Career and Contributions

When Jack Hiatt retired from Major League Baseball in 1972, he jumped right into coaching and front office roles that ended up lasting decades. For 16 years, he led the San Francisco Giants’ player development department, helping lay the groundwork for future championship teams.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

Hiatt started out after his playing days by managing in the minor leagues. He picked up various coaching gigs, sharing what he’d learned with younger players.

His time as a catcher came in handy here. Catchers, you know, often make solid managers since they see the whole field and work closely with pitchers.

Moving from player to coach felt like a natural step for Hiatt. After nine seasons in the majors, he really understood what it took to make it at that level.

Work with Chicago Cubs and Wichita

Hiatt spent part of his post-playing career with the Chicago Cubs. He took on different roles there, working to develop talent throughout their system.

He also got involved in Wichita, where he kept focusing on player development. These jobs let him work hands-on with prospects, helping them move up through the minors.

The Cubs saw real value in his experience and deep knowledge of the game. Because he’d been a big league catcher, younger players respected his background.

Later Involvement with the San Francisco Giants

Hiatt made his biggest impact after playing by working with the San Francisco Giants. He ran their player development for 16 years, retiring after helping to build a strong foundation for the club.

He oversaw the development of prospects all through the Giants’ minor league system. Hiatt played a big role in spotting and nurturing talent that eventually made it to the big leagues.

His work set the stage for the Giants’ later success, including those championship runs. The organization gained a lot from his eye for talent and his sense of what makes a player thrive at the top level.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Jack Hiatt’s nine-year career left a real mark on baseball, both with his teammates and through his later player development work. He influenced the game far beyond his playing days, shaping future generations as a coach and front office leader.

Influence on Teams and Players

Hiatt gave steady support behind the plate to Hall of Fame pitchers during his time with the San Francisco Giants. He caught for Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal, two legends who leaned on his game-calling and defensive skills.

He finished with a .990 fielding percentage, which says a lot about his reliability. Hiatt threw out 35% of runners who tried to steal, showing off his strong arm and quick release.

When he took on coaching, his leadership really came through. He managed minor league teams like the Pompano Beach Cubs and Wichita Aeros. In 1981, he returned to the majors as a bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs.

Hiatt mentored young catchers throughout his post-playing years. With nearly 2,400 major league innings caught, he had plenty of wisdom to pass along.

Recognition in the Baseball Community

Hiatt never made an All-Star team, but people inside baseball saw what he brought as a reliable veteran catcher. He worked with different pitching staffs across six teams, which showed off his adaptability and baseball smarts.

The San Francisco Giants valued his expertise enough to bring him into their front office after he wrapped up playing and coaching. That move said a lot about how much they trusted his judgment and leadership.

Players and coaches around him respected his professional attitude. Hiatt’s work ethic and focus on improving his craft earned him plenty of respect in the baseball world.

Baseball historians and fans still remember Hiatt as part of the Giants’ supporting cast in the late 1960s. His efforts helped complement stars like Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.

Lasting Contributions Beyond 1972

Hiatt made his biggest mark in player development with the San Francisco Giants. He spent decades working in the front office and eventually took on the role of Director of Player Development before he retired in 2007.

He identified and nurtured talent that shaped the Giants’ future. Over 16 years, he influenced more than one generation of ballplayers.

Hiatt drew on his experience as a major league catcher to spot promising young players. Facing all kinds of pitchers and working with different managers gave him insight into what really matters in a player.

He stuck with the Giants organization for over forty years, if you count his time as a player, coach, and front office leader. That kind of commitment helped keep the franchise’s knowledge and traditions alive.