Don Hahn – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Donald Antone Hahn put together a solid seven-year run in Major League Baseball as a defensive-minded outfielder, suiting up for five different teams from 1969 to 1975. Born November 16, 1948, in San Francisco, California, Hahn made a name for himself with his glove in center field more than anything he did at the plate. He wrapped up his career with a .236 batting average and just seven home runs in 454 games.

Hahn really made his mark with the New York Mets from 1971 to 1974, stepping in as the main center fielder during their wild 1973 National League pennant chase and World Series appearance. His defense and some timely hitting helped push the Mets from last place all the way to the World Series. That season, he was a key part of one of baseball’s most unexpected comeback stories.

From his debut as the Montreal Expos’ first-ever starting center fielder to his last year, bouncing around three teams in 1975, Hahn’s journey through pro baseball gives a real look at the life of a role player in a seriously competitive era. His story covers early struggles, big moments, and the ups and downs faced by players whose value went way beyond the usual stats.

Early Life and Path to MLB

Donald Antone Hahn was born in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 1948. He eventually built a reputation as a defensive specialist in Major League Baseball.

His journey from the Bay Area to the big leagues started at Campbell High School, where he played multiple sports. The San Francisco Giants picked him in the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft.

Childhood in San Francisco

Don Hahn grew up in San Francisco, right in the heart of the Bay Area’s baseball scene. Born November 16, 1948, he spent his early years in a city where baseball was part of the local DNA.

San Francisco’s mild weather meant Hahn could play baseball almost all year. He got plenty of chances to hone his skills as a kid.

The Bay Area’s strong baseball tradition probably nudged Hahn toward the sport. He watched the Giants settle into the city in 1958, right as baseball fever grew in San Francisco.

Education at Campbell High School

Hahn attended Campbell High School in Campbell, California, just outside San Jose. There, he stood out in more than one sport.

Sports at Campbell High School:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Football

Playing different sports gave him the athletic base he’d need in pro baseball. That variety helped his coordination and overall development.

His time at Campbell High played a big role in shaping his baseball skills. The school’s program gave him a taste of real competition and helped him sharpen the defense that would define his pro career.

Selection in the 1966 Major League Baseball Draft

The San Francisco Giants picked Hahn in the 17th round of the 1966 MLB Draft. He was just 17 at the time, about to start his professional journey.

1966 Draft Details:

• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Round: 17th
• Overall Pick: 337th

Getting drafted by his hometown team must’ve felt pretty special. The Giants saw promise in his right-handed arm and bat, plus his knack for defense.

That draft pick capped his high school career and proved his hard work paid off. It opened the door to pro baseball, setting up his Major League debut three years later.

Major League Baseball Debut and Montreal Expos Years

Don Hahn made his big league debut on April 8, 1969, as the starting center fielder for the Montreal Expos in their very first game. His time with Montreal from 1969 to 1970 established him as a defensive specialist and gave him a unique place in franchise history before he moved on.

First Game and Role in Expos Franchise History

On April 8, 1969, Hahn started in center field for the Montreal Expos’ first-ever game. He was just 20, facing the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in his MLB debut.

Hahn was the first Expo to field a ball in franchise history. In the bottom of the first, Mets leadoff man Tommie Agee singled to center. Hahn scooped it up and threw to the cutoff man, making the first defensive play in Expos history.

Batting eighth, Hahn struck out in his first at-bat in the second inning. He went 0-for-3 before Don Shaw replaced him.

Even though Hahn struggled at the plate, the Expos pulled off an 11-10 win. That victory gave the franchise its first-ever win and made Hahn part of Montreal’s original lineup.

Performance with Montreal Expos

Hahn played two seasons with the Expos from 1969 to 1970. The Giants had drafted him in 1966, but Montreal grabbed him in the Rule 5 draft on December 2, 1968.

Montreal mostly relied on him for his defense, not his bat. His right-handed throw and bat made him a steady outfielder for the young franchise. The team leaned on his glove in center field during those early years.

The Expos made Hahn their main center fielder while he was there. His defense brought some stability to the outfield, but his offense never really took off in Montreal.

Notable Moments at Shea Stadium

Shea Stadium played a big role in Hahn’s career, starting with his debut there in 1969. That ballpark in New York would later become his home when he joined the Mets.

On March 31, 1971, the Expos traded Hahn to the New York Mets for 1969 World Series hero Ron Swoboda and minor leaguer Rich Hacker. That brought him back to Shea Stadium, where he’d first played in the majors.

The move to New York meant Hahn got used to the Shea Stadium outfield pretty quickly. Having already played there helped him settle in. The trade ended his Montreal days and kicked off the most successful stretch of his career.

Years with the New York Mets

Don Hahn’s four years with the New York Mets began in 1971 after the trade from Montreal. He became a dependable defensive center fielder, and 1973 was the high point when he helped the Mets win the National League pennant.

Joining the Mets and Early Impact

The Mets picked up Don Hahn in March 1971 by trading Ron Swoboda and Rich Hacker to Montreal. Hahn made his Mets debut that season, playing in 98 games and hitting .236 with 42 hits.

His glove work in center field stood out right away. Coaches and teammates noticed his defense.

The switch from Montreal to New York went smoothly for Hahn. He adjusted to playing at Shea Stadium and fit right into the Mets’ defensive plans. His speed and range were perfect for the big outfield.

In 1972, Hahn didn’t play much. He appeared in just 17 games and hit .162. That limited role set him up for a bigger job later.

Role as Starting Center Fielder

By 1973, Hahn had locked down the Mets’ center field job. He started 93 games and was a key defensive anchor for the outfield.

His fielding was his calling card. Hahn had great range and tracked down fly balls in the gaps at Shea. His arm kept runners honest.

That year, he put up his best numbers at the plate for the Mets, hitting .229 with 60 hits and 21 RBIs. The offense was modest, but his defense was huge for the team.

In 1974, Hahn had his best statistical season with New York. He played in 110 games, hit .251, and notched 81 hits. He also hit four home runs, which was his career high.

1973 Pennant-Winning Season

The 1973 NL Champion Mets counted on Hahn’s defense during their unlikely run. His steady play in center helped hold things together as the team surged late in the season.

Hahn started in center throughout the Mets’ September push. The team climbed from last place to win the NL East. His reliable defense was clutch in those high-pressure games.

In the National League Championship Series, Hahn kept up his solid fielding. The Mets knocked off the Cincinnati Reds to reach the World Series. Hahn’s contributions helped them get to the big stage.

The World Series against the Oakland Athletics put Hahn in the national spotlight. Even though the Mets lost in seven games, his defense throughout the playoffs got noticed.

Famous Outfield Collision

One of the most unforgettable moments of Hahn’s Mets career was his collision with teammate George Theodore. Both went after a fly ball in the outfield and crashed into each other.

The collision shook up both players but showed Hahn’s aggressive style in the field. He chased every ball, even if it meant risking a collision.

That moment became part of Mets lore and showed the team’s scrappy, sometimes chaotic approach. Fans loved Hahn’s fearless play in center.

The incident also reminded everyone how important communication is between outfielders. Hahn took that lesson to heart and worked on teamwork with his fellow outfielders after that.

Post-Mets Career: Phillies, Cardinals, and Padres

After the 1973 World Series run with the Mets, Don Hahn got traded to Philadelphia in December 1974 along with Tug McGraw and Dave Schneck. He only played nine games for the Phillies before they let him go, leading to short stints with the Cardinals and Padres in 1975.

Trade to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Mets sent Hahn to the Phillies on December 3, 1974. Tug McGraw and Dave Schneck went too, and the Mets got Del Unser, John Stearns, and Mac Scarce.

Leaving New York was a big change for Hahn. The Phillies hoped his defense would help their outfield.

But Hahn barely got a chance in Philadelphia. He played just nine games in 1975, struggled at the plate, and couldn’t find his footing.

The Phillies released him on May 21, 1975. That quick exit surprised some, but his bat just didn’t do enough to keep him around.

Stints with St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres

After the Phillies cut him, Hahn signed with the St. Louis Cardinals that same day. His time there was even shorter—he played only seven games before moving on.

On June 24, 1975, the Cardinals sold Hahn to the San Diego Padres. That became his last stop in the majors. He played 34 games for San Diego to finish out the 1975 season.

The Padres gave Hahn more playing time than he’d seen since leaving New York. Still, he couldn’t quite get back to the level he’d shown with the Mets. His batting average stayed low in San Diego.

The 1975 season was it for Hahn’s professional career. After bouncing between three teams that year, he retired from Major League Baseball. He finished up with a .236 batting average and seven home runs in 454 games.

Career Statistics and Performance

Don Hahn put up modest offensive numbers during his seven-year run in Major League Baseball. He finished with a .236 batting average and 235 hits in 454 games. People mostly remember him for his defense in center field, though he bounced between five teams and never really broke out at the plate.

Batting and Fielding Overview

You could tell from the stats that Hahn was all about defense. He managed a .236 average, collecting 235 hits in 997 at-bats. With 74 RBIs and 104 runs scored, he clearly filled more of a contact role than anything else.

His standout offensive year came in 1970 with Montreal. He hit .255 that season, picking up 38 hits in 149 at-bats. The next year with the Mets, he played in 98 games and batted .236.

Hahn showed some speed, swiping 11 bases over his career. He drew 122 walks and struck out 158 times, which wasn’t bad plate discipline for that era.

Teams relied on him in center field for steady defense. He spent most of his career there, sometimes shifting to other outfield spots when needed. His glove kept him in the big leagues despite his struggles at the plate.

Analysis of Key Metrics: WAR, Runs, Home Runs

Hahn’s career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) sat at -1.1, so overall, he didn’t move the needle much. His best WAR in a single season was 0.4 in 1970 with Montreal.

Power wasn’t his thing—he hit just 7 home runs in seven seasons. That kind of power output was pretty typical for defensive outfielders in the 1970s. His high mark for homers in one season was four, which he managed in 1974.

He crossed the plate 104 times in his MLB career. In 1974, he scored 34 runs over 110 games, his best season in that category. Even with limited power, he found ways to get on base and score.

His OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) landed at .622, so he struggled at the plate compared to league averages of the time.

Noteworthy Achievements and Records

Hahn’s biggest claim to fame came on April 8, 1969, when he started in center field for the Montreal Expos in their very first game. That day marked both his MLB debut and a milestone for the expansion Expos, facing off against the New York Mets.

He played in the 1973 postseason with the Mets. During their World Series run, Hahn appeared in 12 playoff games and hit .239 with 11 hits in 46 at-bats. His defense helped the Mets push all the way to the World Series.

In 1974 with the Mets, Hahn had his most productive season. He played 110 games and set career highs in several categories, including 81 hits and 28 RBIs.

He played during the early years of MLB expansion, joining teams still finding their footing. That versatility let him contribute to five different clubs during a time when baseball was changing.

Legacy, Personal Life, and Retirement

Don Hahn wrapped up his baseball career in 1975. His defensive skills and moments from the Mets’ 1973 pennant chase still stand out. Not much is known about his life after baseball, but folks remember him as a reliable defensive outfielder.

Reputation as a Defensive Outfielder

Donald Antone Hahn made his mark with his glove more than his bat. A .236 average and seven home runs don’t really tell the whole story.

In 1973, Hahn posted a .988 fielding percentage in center field, ranking third among National League centerfielders that year. He made just two errors in 83 games, which speaks volumes about his reliability.

Key Defensive Stats:

• .988 fielding percentage (1973)
• 3rd among NL centerfielders
• Only 2 errors in 83 center field games

Teams like the Expos, Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, and Padres all valued his defense. Hahn tracked down fly balls and made tough catches, helping his teams even when he wasn’t hitting.

That reputation as a dependable backup outfielder and occasional starter stuck with him throughout his career. Backup outfielder

Life After Baseball and Net Worth

After Hahn retired in 1975, he kept things pretty private. Unlike some players, he didn’t stay in the public eye.

There isn’t much out there about his net worth or what he did after baseball. Players from his era didn’t make the kind of money you see today, so most had to find new paths after hanging up their spikes.

Before he went pro, Hahn attended Campbell High School in California. His brothers played minor league ball in the Padres system, so baseball ran in the family.

Since there’s so little public info, it seems like Hahn chose a quiet life once his playing days ended. That was pretty common for players from the 1970s, who often went back to regular jobs and family life after baseball.

Influence and Remembered Moments

Don Hahn really left his mark during the New York Mets’ wild 1973 pennant-winning season. He took charge in center field and helped drive their unexpected run to the World Series.

On July 7, 1973, at Shea Stadium, Hahn had a moment that fans still talk about. He and left fielder George Theodore crashed into each other chasing a fly ball. The collision was brutal—Theodore left on a stretcher, while Hahn, though rattled, managed to keep playing.

Notable 1973 Achievements:

• Started in center field for pennant winners
• Played in all five NLCS games, hitting .235
• Appeared in all seven World Series games, batting .241

Back in 1969, Hahn made a bit of history as the first Montreal Expos center fielder in their franchise debut on April 8. He actually became the first Expo ever to field a ball.

In 1971, he smacked an inside-the-park home run at Veterans Stadium—the first one ever hit there. Those moments, along with his defense, really secured his spot in baseball lore.