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

Harold “Hal” King was a journeyman catcher who spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball before finally hanging up his cleats for good. King officially called it a career after the 1974 season, wrapping up a run that included stints with the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds. He never became a household name, but his exit marked the close of a career packed with clutch moments and memories.

King was born in Oviedo, Florida, in 1944. He started his journey to the majors with the Indianapolis Clowns, eventually catching the eye of big league scouts.

He never played more than 89 games in a season, but King built a reputation as a dependable backup catcher and pinch-hitter. When teams needed a big hit, his left-handed swing brought some pop, and his 24 career home runs often came at just the right time.

King retired at age 30 after spending most of 1974 with the Indianapolis Indians in the minors. After his last big league game on October 1, 1974, the Cincinnati Reds sold his contract, and King decided to keep playing in Mexico instead of chasing another MLB shot.

His story feels like the story of so many players who gave everything to baseball, bouncing between teams and leagues in search of a lasting place in the game.

Hal King’s Early Life and Education

Harold “Hal” King was born February 1, 1944, in Oviedo, Florida. He grew up in a big family with deep baseball roots.

Those early years in small-town Florida shaped his athletic development and set the stage for his future in the pros.

Family Background in Oviedo, Florida

Hal King came from one of Oviedo’s largest families. He was one of 14 children, including nine boys.

That crowded house made for a competitive environment, and it definitely helped shape Hal as an athlete.

Baseball ran in the King family’s veins. Four of Hal’s brothers played the game seriously, so the backyard was kind of a built-in training ground.

Hal followed his brother John into professional baseball, showing just how much the family loved the sport.

“There wasn’t much else to do back then in a small town like Oviedo except play baseball,” King said in 2015. That sums up how limited the entertainment options were in rural Florida during the ’40s and ’50s.

The King family didn’t just encourage Hal—they blazed the trail. John, his brother, actually joined the Indianapolis Clowns before Hal did, opening doors for Hal’s own shot at pro ball.

Years at Oviedo High School

Hal King attended Oviedo High School in the early 1960s. He graduated in 1962 at age 18, after spending his teen years working on his baseball game.

The small-town setting at Oviedo High gave King a chance to shine. With not much competition and a close-knit community, talented guys like King could really stand out.

Those high school years turned out to be crucial for his development. With few other things to do, baseball became the main focus for a lot of young men in the area.

After he graduated in 1962, King jumped right into pro baseball. He didn’t waste any time moving from high school to the next level.

Influence of Early Baseball in the Community

Back in the ’40s and ’50s, Oviedo, Florida, was a small town where baseball was basically the main event. The community’s love for the game created a space where young players could really develop.

Because the town was so small, it was easy to spot baseball talent and help it grow. Hal King and other local kids got plenty of practice and competition.

Baseball wasn’t just something to do—it offered a way out. For a lot of young men, the sport was a ticket to bigger opportunities beyond small-town life.

Support from the community helped several King brothers take baseball seriously. That focus on developing athletes didn’t just help the Kings; it helped other local players too.

Entry into Professional Baseball

Hal King started his path to the majors through the Negro League system, playing for the Indianapolis Clowns and eventually grabbing the attention of pro scouts. His journey from barnstorming teams to organized baseball mirrored the shifting landscape of sports in the 1960s.

Playing for the Indianapolis Clowns

After high school in 1962, Hal King followed his brother John and tried out for the Indianapolis Clowns. The Clowns were a barnstorming team that once featured Hank Aaron.

Both brothers signed with the team and hit the road, playing games against local teams wherever they could.

The Clowns gave Hal his first taste of professional baseball. John eventually left, but Hal stuck around to keep sharpening his skills as a catcher.

Playing for the Clowns taught Hal the basics of pro ball. He learned to adjust to new places and different opponents.

Transition from the Negro League to MLB

While King played for the Clowns, Major League Baseball was scouting the Negro Leagues more and more. Integration created new chances for Black players.

In 1964, scouts from the Los Angeles Angels noticed Hal’s skills behind the plate and his left-handed bat. That made him a pretty attractive prospect.

Moving from barnstorming to organized pro ball was a big change. Now, King had access to better coaches, facilities, and a more structured path to the majors.

King’s story matched what a lot of talented players went through during the civil rights era—shifting from Negro League teams to the big leagues.

Signing with the California Angels

The Los Angeles Angels bought King’s contract from Ed Hamman and Syd Pollock, who owned the Clowns, for $8,000 in 1964. That deal made King’s move to organized baseball official.

The Angels liked what they saw in the young catcher and decided to invest in his potential. His lefty swing and defensive skills behind the plate made him a valuable addition.

For the 1965 season, the Angels sent King to Quad Cities in the Midwest League. That was his first real shot in organized minor league baseball.

During his debut season with Quad Cities, King played 90 games, hit .241, and smacked 6 home runs. He even pitched an inning in three games, showing off his versatility.

Signing with the Angels gave King the kind of support and structure only a major league organization could provide. That backing would prove important as he worked toward the big leagues.

Major League Career Overview

Hal King spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1967 to 1974, bouncing between four teams as a journeyman catcher. He didn’t get a ton of playing time, but he came through with some memorable moments—including a legendary pinch-hit homer that helped launch the Cincinnati Reds’ 1973 division title run.

Houston Astros Debut and Performance

King made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros on September 6, 1967, at age 23. He came in as a pinch-hitter and grounded out against future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.

Just four days later, King notched his first hit with a single off the Dodgers’ Bill Singer. In that same game, he also picked up his first triple and RBI, driving in Rusty Staub.

King played 15 games for Houston in 1967 and hit .250. He finished his rookie year with 11 hits and 6 RBIs.

In 1968, King started as the Astros’ catcher on Opening Day. In the season’s second game, he went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, batting third between Joe Morgan and Rusty Staub.

King’s biggest moment with Houston came on April 15, 1968. He caught the entire 24-inning marathon against the New York Mets at the Astrodome. That game lasted more than six hours and finally ended at 1:37 A.M. with a 1-0 Astros win.

Seasons with the Atlanta Braves

After a short time in Boston’s minor league system, the Atlanta Braves picked King in the Rule 5 draft in December 1969. This move set the stage for his most productive stretch in the majors.

King made the Braves roster in 1970, backing up veteran Bob Tillman. That year, he played 89 games with 51 starts at catcher—his career highs.

He batted .260 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs in 1970, his best numbers in the majors.

In 1971, King competed for the starting job after Tillman left for Milwaukee. He started Opening Day and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run.

But rookie Earl Williams eventually took over as the main catcher and ended up winning National League Rookie of the Year.

King still appeared in 86 games for Atlanta in 1971, starting 48 of them. His offense dipped to .207 with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs.

Time with the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers picked up King from Atlanta during the 1971-72 offseason in a trade for catcher Paul Casanova. Manager Ted Williams liked King’s left-handed bat and his skills behind the plate.

Williams gave King a real shot at a starting role. “I don’t think anybody has allowed King to catch as much as he should have in the past,” Williams said during spring training.

King started behind the plate for the Rangers’ first official game on April 15, 1972. He walked twice and got one of only two hits off Angels starter Andy Messersmith in a 1-0 loss.

Offensively, things didn’t go so well for King in Texas. He played 50 games and hit just .180, with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs.

By late July, Dick Billings was getting most of the playing time. The Rangers wanted to see what young catcher Bill Fahey could do, so they sent King down to Triple-A Denver midseason.

King’s time with the Rangers was short but notable. He became the first major league player to play for both Texas teams, having suited up for the Astros earlier in his career.

Cincinnati Reds and the 1973 Turnaround

Hal King’s short run with the Cincinnati Reds in 1973 led to one of the franchise’s most unforgettable moments. His huge ninth-inning home run on July 1, 1973, helped spark a wild comeback that carried the Reds from fourth place to the NL West title.

Joining the Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds traded for Hal King in December 1972, bringing him and pitcher Jim Driscoll over from the Texas Rangers for former 20-game winner Jim Merritt.

The Reds needed extra catching depth because Johnny Bench had some health concerns. An X-ray found a spot on Bench’s lung that needed surgery, putting his future in doubt.

King started 1973 at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .252 with 7 home runs and 30 RBI in 38 games. The Cincinnati Reds called him up on June 19 to replace catcher Bob Barton.

He debuted on June 20 against the San Francisco Giants. King arrived with a reputation as a power hitter, even if he hadn’t gotten many big league chances.

Game-Changing Home Run on July 1, 1973

The 1973 Cincinnati Reds entered July 1 just two games over .500 and stuck in fourth place, 11 games behind the division-leading Dodgers.

In the first game of a doubleheader against L.A., the Reds trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth. Don Sutton had pretty much shut them down all day with his 9-4 record and 2.26 ERA.

Manager Sparky Anderson sent Johnny Bench up to pinch-hit with two outs and Tony Perez on second. Sutton walked Bench on purpose, bringing King to the plate as a pinch-hitter for Bill Plummer.

King worked the count to 2-2 against Sutton. Sutton, thinking he had King figured out, threw a screwball, expecting it to break away from the lefty hitter.

King swung so hard at the pitch that he actually tore his spikes. The ball rocketed over the right-field fence for a three-run home run, giving the Reds a wild 4-3 win.

“I was looking for a fastball. I mean, I hadn’t seen a pitch all day coming off the bench,” King said after the game. “He tricked me, didn’t throw me one fastball.”

Impact on the 1973 Cincinnati Reds Season

King’s clutch home run lit a fire under the Cincinnati Reds and set the tone for their championship run.

Manager Sparky Anderson picked up on its importance right away.

“I knew right then we were going to win the West,” Anderson told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It was one of those things that when it happens you immediately think, ‘This is going to turn us around.'”

The Reds swept the doubleheader. They also took the Monday night finale against the Dodgers.

Starting July 1, Cincinnati ripped off 10 wins in 11 games. By the end of the month, they’d cut the Dodgers’ lead to just 3½ games.

King delivered another big moment on July 9 with a pinch-hit grand slam against the Montreal Expos. Even with limited at-bats, he made them count.

King’s 1973 Reds Stats
Games: 22
At-bats: 43
Hits: 8
Home runs: 4
Batting average: .186

The 1973 Cincinnati Reds finished the stretch 60-26 and overtook the Dodgers for first place on September 3.

They won the National League West by 3½ games over Los Angeles. The season ended with a loss to the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.

Statistical Achievements and Playing Style

Hal King put together a .207 career batting average with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs across 322 major league games from 1967 to 1974.

His minor league numbers looked a lot better, especially in 1967, when he led the Carolina League with 30 home runs.

Career Batting Average and Home Runs

King’s .207 average in the majors shows how tough it can be for a journeyman catcher.

He had his best season in 1970 with the Atlanta Braves, hitting .260 with 11 home runs in 89 games.

The lefty flashed power here and there. He never played more than 89 games in a season, so his totals stayed pretty modest.

King’s 20 career home runs came over seven seasons. He really came through in clutch moments, like those pinch-hit homers with Cincinnati in 1973.

Major League Home Run Totals by Season:

• 1970 (Atlanta): 11 home runs
• 1971 (Atlanta): 5 home runs
• 1972 (Texas): 4 home runs

Runs Batted In and Fielding Skills

King drove in 72 runs during his major league career. His top season came in 1970, when he knocked in 30 RBIs.

People saw his catching as workmanlike, not flashy.

Ted Williams once said King “hustles and gives you a workmanlike job each day” behind the plate. Williams thought King hadn’t really gotten a fair shot to develop his defense.

King caught a marathon 24-inning game between Houston and the New York Mets on April 15, 1968.

He went the whole game without a passed ball or error, which says a lot about his defense when he got the chance.

Scouts early on tagged him as “good hit, no glove,” but managers later praised his improvement and work ethic.

Minor League Statistics and Notable Seasons

King’s minor league stats were much stronger than his major league numbers.

In 1967 with Asheville, he hit .288 with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, leading the Carolina League in homers.

He tore it up in Triple-A Louisville in 1969, hitting .322 with 9 home runs in 342 at-bats. Still, the Boston Red Sox promoted Carlton Fisk instead.

Notable Minor League Seasons:

• 1967 (Asheville): .288 average, 30 HR, 87 RBI
• 1969 (Louisville): .322 average, 9 HR

King played winter ball in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

With Navegantes del Magallanes, he hit .300 with 7 home runs in 57 games during the 1970-71 winter season.

After his time in the majors, King kept playing in the Mexican League. In 1979 with Saltillo, he hit .320 with 19 home runs, proving he still had plenty of bat left.

Retirement, Later Life, and Legacy

Hal King left Major League Baseball in 1974, wrapping up an eight-year run that included unforgettable moments like his pivotal 1973 home run for the Cincinnati Reds.

After retiring from MLB at 30, King played in the Mexican League before walking away from pro baseball entirely in 1979.

Retirement in 1974 from Major League Baseball

King played his last Major League Baseball game on October 1, 1974, at 30 years old.

He made his final appearance as a Cincinnati Red against the Atlanta Braves.

In that last game, he had one at-bat but didn’t get a hit, homer, RBI, or steal.

King decided to retire after seven seasons as a backup catcher.

He played for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds.

Career MLB Statistics:

• Teams: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds
• Total Home Runs: 24
• Career Span: 1967-1974
• Final Game: October 1, 1974 vs. Atlanta

Contributions to Baseball After MLB

King didn’t stop playing baseball after leaving the majors. He headed to the Mexican League in 1975.

He spent five years there, playing from 1975 to 1979 for the Saraperos de Saltillo.

King kept showing his value as a solid catcher.

The Mexican League gave him a place to keep competing. That move really showed how much he loved the game, even after his MLB days.

King’s time in Mexico highlighted how baseball careers can go global. Plenty of ex-major leaguers find new life in leagues outside the U.S.

Remembering Hal King’s Legacy

Hal King died on March 23, 2019, in Oviedo, Florida. He was 75 years old.

He spent his life chasing baseball across different leagues and even different countries. That kind of dedication isn’t something you see every day.

But, honestly, what most people remember is that wild walk-off home run he hit on July 1, 1973. That swing pretty much lit a fire under the Cincinnati Reds, who went on to finish the season with a 99-63 record.

If you talk to Reds fans, they’ll never forget how King stepped up against Don Sutton and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds were down by 10 games in the National League West at the time, so it felt like a miracle.

King showed that even role players can totally change the course of a season. He proved that those depth guys in Major League Baseball can deliver unforgettable moments, especially when everything’s on the line.