Hal Bevan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Harold Joseph “Hal” Bevan Jr. made his mark in baseball history as a utility player who played just 15 major league games over three seasons, but he never made an error in the field. He was born in New Orleans in 1930. Bevan’s pro baseball journey stretched from 1948 to 1962, and he wrapped up his major league career in 1961 after brief stops with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds.

Bevan played his last major league game on May 13, 1961. He pinch-hit for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which turned out to be the end of a career that showed promise but was constantly interrupted by injuries.

He didn’t get much time in the majors, but he still hit .292 with one home run and five RBIs. Down in the minors, though, Bevan found plenty of success, keeping a .294 average over 1,572 games.

If you look at Bevan’s career, you see a talented guy who just couldn’t catch a break with injuries. Fractured bones, dislocated joints—you name it. His story really gives a glimpse into what fringe major leaguers go through and the kind of grit it takes to stick with pro baseball for 14 years, even when things go sideways.

Hal Bevan’s Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Hal Bevan came into the world in New Orleans on November 15, 1930. His dad worked as a sales manager for a wholesale liquor company, so the family lived a pretty steady middle-class life.

Bevan shined at baseball when he was young. He turned heads at S.J. Peters High School and eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1948.

Family Background and Childhood in New Orleans

Hal Bevan grew up as an only child in New Orleans, Louisiana. His parents, Harold Joseph Bevan Sr. and Thelma Bevan, kept things steady at home.

His dad’s job as a sales manager for a liquor firm let the family enjoy a comfortable life. Bevan said his heritage was Welsh and Dutch, according to records.

The family stayed in New Orleans throughout his childhood. Both the 1940 census and the 1956 New Orleans city directory back that up.

Bevan played American Legion baseball as a kid. That experience really helped him sharpen his skills and get noticed before high school.

High School Years at S.J. Peters

At S.J. Peters High School, Bevan became a multi-sport athlete. He played both baseball and basketball, showing off his athletic range.

Baseball achievements at S.J. Peters:

• Unanimous pick for the New Orleans Times-Picayune All-Prep baseball team
• Graduated as one of the school’s top baseball prospects

The school had a reputation for producing major league talent. Guys like Lou Klein, Jack Kramer, and Mel Parnell also came from S.J. Peters. Even Bevan’s cousin, George Bevan Strickland, graduated from Peters High and played as a utility infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians between 1950 and 1960.

When he graduated, Bevan stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed in at 198 pounds.

Signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization

In 1948, Bevan signed his first pro contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Business Manager Vincent Rizzo, who acted as his signing scout, brought him into the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system.

The Pelicans were already a Pirates farm club, so it made sense for Bevan to start there. Rizzo saw Bevan’s potential from his high school days and American Legion play.

For his first pro assignment, Bevan joined the Rehoboth Beach Pirates in Delaware. This Class-D Eastern Shore League team was his introduction to pro baseball. Unfortunately, his debut season ended early after a fractured jaw. He played just 37 games and had 144 at-bats, hitting .271.

Major League Baseball Career Summary

Hal Bevan’s major league career lasted from 1952 to 1961. He played for four teams in just 15 games total. His MLB stops included the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds. He managed to hit a home run in his final season.

Debut with Boston Red Sox in 1952

Bevan stepped onto a big league field for the first time on April 24, 1952, at Fenway Park against the New York Yankees. The Boston Red Sox picked him from the Pirates in the 1951 Rule 5 draft because scout Ted McGrew liked what he saw.

Manager Lou Boudreau started Bevan at third base for his only game with Boston. In the second inning, he grounded out to first base against Yankees pitcher Eddie Lopat.

In the fourth inning, Boudreau replaced Bevan with pinch-hitter Vern Stephens. Lopat had walked three straight batters, and Boudreau decided to make a change.

A few days later, the Red Sox put Bevan on waivers. Boudreau called him “a fine youngster” but pointed out the team had too many infielders to keep him around.

Time with Philadelphia Athletics

The Philadelphia Athletics grabbed Bevan off waivers on May 3, 1952. That gave him his first real shot in the majors. He played in eight games for Philadelphia, starting out as a pinch-runner for his first two.

On June 10, he got his first major league hit—a two-run single to left off Billy Pierce of the Chicago White Sox at Shibe Park. That must’ve felt good.

The next day, Bevan went 3-for-4 with an RBI against the White Sox. He even knocked in the game-winning single in the sixth inning of a 4-3 win.

Bevan kept his hot streak going on June 14 in St. Louis, racking up two more hits and pushing his batting average to .333. Then, disaster hit. He fractured his ankle sliding into home plate, with what doctors called a triple fracture and dislocation.

He spent seven months in a cast. That ended his 1952 season and made it a lot harder for him to move around the infield later on.

Stint with Kansas City Athletics

When the Philadelphia Athletics became the Kansas City Athletics in 1955, Bevan got another shot with the team. He played in three games during the franchise’s first 16 games that season.

Each time, he got a single at-bat. Unfortunately, he didn’t reach base in any of those three chances.

That short stint was right in the middle of his major league career. After those games, the team sent him down to the Columbus Jets, their Triple-A affiliate, for the rest of the season.

Final MLB Appearance with Cincinnati Reds in 1961

Bevan’s last shot in the majors came with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961, almost six years after his last MLB game. The Reds bought his contract in September 1960 after he had a strong year with Seattle in the Pacific Coast League.

Spring training didn’t go smoothly. Bevan broke a finger on his right hand on March 17. Once he healed up, he made three pinch-hitting appearances in May 1961.

On May 12 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bevan hit his only major league home run—a deep shot to left off Vinegar Bend Mizell.

That home run was his last hit in pro baseball. He pinch-hit two more times on May 7 and 13, going 1-for-3 in his final MLB stint.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 15
• Batting Average: .292
• Home Runs: 1
• RBIs: 5
• Hits: 7

Notable Career Highlights and Statistics

Hal Bevan’s time in the majors stretched from 1952 to 1961. He didn’t get much playing time, but he still had some highlights. That lone home run with the Cincinnati Reds stands out, and injuries really shaped his path.

Key Hits and Home Run Achievements

Bevan’s most memorable hit came in 1961 with the Reds. He hit his only big league home run in just three at-bats for Cincinnati early that season.

That homer was the high point of his short major league career. It happened during what would be his final MLB appearance on May 13, 1961.

Even with just 15 games, Bevan managed 7 total hits in the majors. Every hit counted for a lot.

In the minors, Bevan showed off more power. He hit 90 home runs over his minor league career from 1948 through 1962.

Major League Batting and Fielding Statistics

Bevan finished with a .292 batting average in the majors. He got 7 hits in 24 at-bats, spread across three different teams.

His career stats also include:

• 1 home run
• 5 RBIs
• 2 runs scored
• 2 stolen bases

Bevan played several positions. He worked as a first baseman, third baseman, and catcher.

He mostly served as a pinch hitter and backup third baseman. That flexibility made him useful, even if he didn’t play much.

Memorable Games and Injuries

Injuries really took a toll on Bevan’s career. He dealt with a fractured jaw, a broken ankle, and even got beaned pretty badly early on.

The worst injury came in 1952 with the Philadelphia Athletics. Bevan was batting .353 in eight games when he broke his leg sliding home.

That broken leg ended his season and left him with less mobility for the rest of his career. He couldn’t play infield in the majors after that.

Because of the injury, he eventually moved to catcher. He spent four solid years catching for the Seattle Rainiers from 1957 to 1960.

Minor League Success and Longevity

Hal Bevan put together a 15-year minor league career from 1948 to 1962. He played in 1,572 games, got 5,482 at-bats, and racked up 1,618 hits for a .294 career average.

His versatility as a catcher and infielder, along with his steady offensive production in different leagues, made him a valuable player throughout the minors.

Tenure in the International League and Pacific Coast League

Bevan spent a lot of time in two top minor leagues. He played for the Ottawa A’s in the International League in 1953 and 1954, logging 101 games one year and 132 the next. He batted .311 and .300 in those seasons.

From 1957 to 1960, the Pacific Coast League—and the Seattle Rainiers—became his home. He averaged 136 games per year during that four-year run. In 1957, he set career highs with 23 home runs and 90 RBIs.

Portland’s ballpark was especially good for Bevan’s power. He hit 26 home runs there during his Coast League years, and people started calling it “Bevan Heaven.” On July 18, 1958, he showed off by hitting two home runs and driving in six runs in one game.

Bevan finished up his minor league days with the San Diego Padres in 1962. He hit 12 home runs in 102 games, kept a .307 average, and helped the team win the Pacific Coast League pennant.

Performance as Catcher and Infielder

Bevan’s move from infielder to catcher showed how adaptable and smart he was on the field. He started out playing third and first base, but after his 1952 ankle injury, Seattle GM Dewey Soriano suggested he try catching.

He started catching in 1958 with the Seattle Rainiers. That year, he caught in 33 games but still played 107 games at first base. By 1959, he focused almost entirely on catching, sticking with it for the next three years.

His versatility stayed valuable all the way through. Coach Dick Sisler liked how Bevan could fill in at first or third base whenever needed. His bat was his biggest strength, especially as a right-handed pinch hitter.

Statistics and Consistency Across Minor League Teams

Bevan kept up remarkably steady numbers no matter where he landed, and that really says something about his bat. Over his career, he smacked 90 home runs in 1,572 games—that’s pretty solid power for the era.

He definitely had some seasons that jumped off the page. In 1950, he hit .393 in just 58 games with the Waco Pirates, though, to be fair, that was Class-B ball. Still, he also posted a .330 average with Modesto in 1949 and .322 with Seattle in 1959—those were in tougher leagues, and those numbers stand out.

Injuries didn’t stop Bevan from piling up hits. He finished with 1,618 career hits and had several years where he made consistent contact. Switching between catcher and infield didn’t slow him down either, and teams valued that kind of flexibility throughout his long run in the minors.

Retirement, Post-Playing Career, and Legacy

Hal Bevan hung up his spikes in 1962 after 15 years bouncing between the majors and minors. He didn’t step away from baseball, though—he started scouting for the Atlanta Braves and got involved in the New Orleans business scene before his life ended too soon in 1968.

Transition to Scouting with the Atlanta Braves

When Bevan announced his retirement in February 1963, he didn’t really leave the game behind. He became an area scout for the Milwaukee Braves, who eventually turned into the Atlanta Braves.

He scouted from 1966 to 1968. That gig let him put his years of experience to good use, especially when it came to spotting talent and understanding what makes a player tick.

At the same time, he dove into the business world in New Orleans. In September 1965, he joined two others to open The All-American Trophy and Award Co., Inc. on Tulane Avenue. He took on the sales manager role there.

For Bevan, moving from player to scout just made sense. All those years in the minors gave him a sharp eye for talent and what it takes to develop players.

Impact on Baseball Community and Peers

Bevan’s impact went way beyond the box scores. Cincinnati relief pitcher Jim Brosnan even wrote about him in “Pennant Race,” a memoir covering the Reds’ 1961 season. That kind of mention shows the respect he earned, even if his major league time was brief.

Coaches and managers liked his versatility. Dick Sisler pointed out how Bevan could handle different positions and wasn’t afraid to call out a teammate who wasn’t hustling. “He’ll give another player hell if the guy’s not hustling,” Sisler said.

His minor league stats were nothing to sneeze at. Bevan batted .295 with 1,618 hits and 90 home runs in 1,572 games, playing from 1948 to 1962.

Back home in New Orleans, folks noticed. In 1960, they voted him the best professional athlete of the year. That’s a pretty big deal in your own hometown.

Commemoration and Remembrance

Bevan died of a kidney infection on October 5, 1968, at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans. He was just 37. His death ended both his scouting work and his business plans.

His wife Barbara and their five children survived him. He and Barbara had been together since their wedding on March 10, 1950.

He’s buried at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans with his parents. His gravesite stands as a reminder of what he gave to baseball and his city.

The Sporting News ran an obituary for him, mentioning how “hard luck dogged Bevan through the early seasons of his career.” Even with all the setbacks, he stuck with baseball and showed real dedication.

Personal Life, Untimely Death, and Burial

Outside the ballpark, Hal Bevan focused on his family and tried his hand at business, but his life ended far too early at 37. That kidney infection took him in 1968, and he was buried in New Orleans next to his parents.

Personal Interests and Family

Bevan married Barbara Tomes on March 10, 1950, early in his minor league days. Together, they raised five kids during his playing years and after.

After leaving baseball in 1962, he jumped into business back in New Orleans. He worked as a sales manager, probably drawing on skills he picked up from his dad, who had managed sales for a wholesale liquor company.

In September 1965, Bevan and two partners started The All-American Trophy and Award Co., Inc. on Tulane Avenue. That move showed he had an entrepreneurial side after baseball.

He didn’t leave the game entirely, though. He scouted for the Milwaukee Braves, who became the Atlanta Braves, from 1966 to 1968. That job let him stay close to the sport he loved while starting a new chapter.

Passing at Age 37 and Cause of Death

Hal Bevan died on October 5, 1968, at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans. He was only 37 when a kidney infection took his life.

His death felt especially tragic, since he’d just started to build a new career in both business and scouting. At the time, he was still working as a scout for the Atlanta Braves.

The kidney infection hit hard and fast. He left behind his wife Barbara and their five children, ending what looked like a promising second act in business and baseball.

Gravesite and Memorial

Bevan rests at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. He’s not far from where he grew up.

Three generations of the Bevan family share this cemetery plot. Hal Jr., his mother Thelma, and his father Harold Joseph Bevan Sr. all lie together in the same crypt at Greenwood.

This family burial setup really shows how close the Bevans were and how deep their roots ran in New Orleans. The shared crypt quietly honors Hal Bevan’s life and his bond with the city where he first picked up a baseball.