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

Harold Housten “Hal” Rice built a solid seven-year career in Major League Baseball, finally calling it quits in 1954. This West Virginia native played left field for three teams, mostly backing up Hall of Famer Stan Musial with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rice’s journey to the majors got interrupted by military service during World War II. He served as a tank lieutenant in the Pacific theater and earned a Purple Heart for his service. After returning from the war, he fought his way through the Cardinals’ minor league system and made his MLB debut in 1948 at age 24.

Rice finished with a .260 batting average, 19 home runs, and 162 RBIs. But honestly, those stats only tell part of the story. He overcame a lot just to make it to the big leagues.

From his early days in West Virginia coal country to his last game with the Chicago Cubs, Rice’s story echoes the experiences of plenty of players from that era. His path through military service, minor league ball, and eventually the majors gives a glimpse into the challenges and opportunities that shaped post-war professional baseball.

Early Life and Education

Harold Housten Rice grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia. He spent his early years in small mining communities before heading off to Ball State College in Indiana.

Life wasn’t easy for Rice. He grew up in a working-class household and lost his father when he was still young.

Birth and Family Background

Harold Housten Rice was born on February 11, 1924, in Morganette, West Virginia. His parents, George and Bertha (Hale) Rice, raised their family in the coal town of Fayette County.

Morganette, named after the Morganette Coal Company, existed from 1920 to 1935. When the coal mine shut down, the town faded away with it.

George, Hal’s father, worked the mines alongside Hal’s older brothers, Elmer and Eddy. The family hit hard times when George passed away while Hal was still a kid.

Bertha, or “Bertie,” took on the responsibility of supporting everyone. She turned their home into a boarding house to get by during those tough years.

Formative Years in Morganette, West Virginia

After his dad died, Hal spent most of his childhood in Slab Rock, another mining town in West Virginia. That small-town atmosphere and mining culture left a mark on him.

Bertha worked tirelessly to keep the family together, running the boarding house business. Rice learned the value of hard work and grit from those years.

The coal mining communities in West Virginia were tight-knit, and Rice built strong community ties growing up. Despite money being tight, Rice showed talent for baseball early on.

At just 17, he asked for a tryout with the local Williamson Red Birds of the Class D Mountain State League in 1941. That’s where his baseball adventure really started.

Time at Ball State College

Rice attended Ball State College in Muncie, Indiana, which later became Ball State University in 1965. The school gave him opportunities far beyond what he’d known in West Virginia.

Oddly enough, Rice never played for The Ball State Cardinals baseball team while he was a student. Instead, his baseball career took off through the professional minor leagues.

When Rice made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948, he became the first Ball State College student to reach the majors. That milestone brought a bit of recognition to both Rice and his alma mater. It made him something of a trailblazer for Ball State’s connection to pro baseball.

Military Service During World War II

Hal Rice put his baseball dreams on hold when the United States Army called him up from 1943 to 1945. He served as a tank lieutenant in the South Pacific, earned a rare battlefield commission, and later received the Purple Heart for his wounds.

Enlistment and Role in the United States Army

Rice entered military service in January 1943, right after finishing his 1942 minor league season with the Asheville Tourists. The Army sent him to the Pacific theater during World War II.

He held the rank of tank lieutenant, one of the more dangerous gigs in the war. Tank crews constantly faced enemy fire and brutal terrain.

Rice spent three full years in the military, from 1943 through 1945. That meant he missed out on important development years in his baseball career.

South Pacific Service and Battlefield Commission

Rice served in the South Pacific theater, which was one of the toughest fronts in World War II. The fighting there was intense, and conditions were harsh.

During his service, Rice earned a rare battlefield commission. The Army only handed out these promotions to soldiers who showed real leadership and guts under fire.

Rice got wounded badly enough to need hospital treatment. The Army later awarded him the Purple Heart for his combat injuries. He needed extended medical care before he could return home.

Personal Life: Meeting June Shreve

While recovering in a military hospital, Rice met June Shreve, a registered nurse from Muncie, Indiana. She cared for wounded soldiers at the same facility where Rice was being treated.

Their relationship started during his recovery. June’s work as a nurse brought her into contact with many injured servicemen, but her care helped Rice get back on his feet.

The couple married in 1947, two years after Rice came back from the war. Their meeting in the hospital turned into a love story that grew out of those tough times.

Minor League Baseball Journey

Hal Rice’s climb to the majors took him through several teams and leagues. He started as a teenager in West Virginia’s Mountain State League and eventually impressed the Rochester Red Wings, which earned him a shot with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Williamson Red Birds and the Mountain State League

Rice kicked off his professional baseball career at 17, joining the Williamson Red Birds of the Class D Mountain State League in 1941. He batted .258 in 58 games during his first season, not bad for a rookie.

He really broke out in 1942. The Mountain State League had moved up to Class C, so the competition got tougher. Rice stepped up, hitting an impressive .349 in 65 games.

Scouts started to notice his improvement. His batting average nearly doubled from his rookie year, which showed how quickly he could learn and adapt.

Progression: Asheville Tourists and Piedmont League

After his strong 1942 season, Rice earned a promotion to the Asheville Tourists of the Class B Piedmont League. That was a big step up for the young outfielder.

The jump in competition wasn’t easy. Rice struggled with the tougher pitching and hit just .204 in 37 games with Asheville.

Before he could adjust, Rice had to leave for military service in January 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater, got promoted to second lieutenant, and was wounded in the Philippines in June 1945.

Winston-Salem Cardinals in the Carolina League

After the war, Rice picked up his baseball career in 1946 with the Winston-Salem Cardinals of the Class C Carolina League. People wondered if he could get back to his old form after three years away.

Rice answered those doubts. He hit .335 in 106 games, proving he hadn’t lost his swing while in the service.

That strong season with Winston-Salem showed his determination and resilience. His batting average was one of his best in the minors and set him up for a move up the Cardinals’ system.

Rochester Red Wings in the International League

Rice’s success in the Carolina League earned him a promotion to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League in 1947. That put him just one step away from the majors.

Triple-A pitching threw him for a loop at first. Rice managed only a .248 average in 120 games his first season with Rochester.

But in 1948, things turned around. Rice’s bat heated up as he hit .321 for the Red Wings, coming in third in the International League batting race.

He also racked up 73 RBIs and 13 home runs, showing off his power. The St. Louis Cardinals front office noticed, bought his contract in late September 1948, and gave him his major league debut on September 25 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Hal Rice played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1948 to 1954, mostly as a left fielder for three National League teams. He posted a .260 average, 19 home runs, and 162 RBIs over 424 games, with his best years backing up Stan Musial in St. Louis.

Debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Rice made his MLB debut on September 25, 1948, with the St. Louis Cardinals at age 24. He only appeared in 8 games that year, but he made the most of it.

In those games, Rice hit .323, collecting 10 hits in 33 plate appearances, including a double and two triples.

The 1949 season didn’t go as well. Rice played in 40 games but batted just .196, with 9 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run.

After that tough year, the Cardinals sent him back to the minors. Rice spent most of 1950 with the Rochester Red Wings and found his swing again, batting .310 in 114 games.

St. Louis Cardinals Years and Stan Musial

With the Cardinals, Rice mainly served as backup to Hall of Famer Stan Musial in left field. It gave him a chance to learn from a legend and contribute when needed.

Rice had his best big league season in 1952. He played a career-high 98 games, batted .288, and racked up 85 hits, 14 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, and 45 RBIs.

During his time with St. Louis, Rice split his seasons between the big club and Rochester. In 1951, he hit .254 for the Cardinals in 66 games and .330 for Rochester in 54 games.

Rice also became the fourth player in Cardinals history to hit two grand slams in one season. That tied him with Stan Musial and other Cardinals greats for the most grand slams in a season.

Pittsburgh Pirates and Ralph Kiner Trade

On June 14, 1953, the Cardinals traded Rice to the Pittsburgh Pirates for veteran infielder Pete Castiglione. The trade finally gave Rice a chance to play every day in the majors.

Rice thrived with Pittsburgh at first. He played left field almost daily during the last 78 games of the 1953 season, batting .311 and driving in 42 runs.

The Pirates lineup featured slugger Ralph Kiner, one of the league’s top home run hitters. Rice’s steady play in left field fit well with the team’s offense.

Things changed quickly, though. At the start of the 1954 season, Rice struggled badly, hitting only .173 through mid-June and playing in just 28 of the first 58 games.

Chicago Cubs and Final Major League Season

Exactly one year after he joined Pittsburgh, the Pirates traded Rice again on June 14, 1954. They sent him to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Luis Marquez.

Rice just couldn’t shake his struggles with the Cubs during the rest of the 1954 season. He managed only a .153 batting average in his final major league games, which, honestly, was a pretty rough way to wrap up his career.

The Cubs roster featured some big names like Hank Sauer, but Rice just didn’t find his groove again. He made his last major league appearance on September 19, 1954, closing the book on his seven-year run in the National League.

After his time in the majors, Rice played two more seasons in the minor leagues. In 1955, he joined the Los Angeles Angels, hit 25 home runs, and batted .262.

He finished his professional career in 1956, bouncing between Sacramento, Richmond, and Denver.

Playing Style and On-Field Positions

Hal Rice carved out a spot as a reliable backup outfielder during his seven years in the majors. He mostly played as a left fielder and finished with a .260 career batting average.

Defensively, he could handle different outfield spots, and his steady offense made him a useful piece for three National League teams.

Offensive Statistics and Batting Average

Rice put together a .260 batting average over his MLB career from 1948 to 1954. He collected 307 hits, 19 home runs, and 162 RBIs in 424 games.

His best year at the plate came in 1952 with the Cardinals. That season, he hit .288 in a career-high 98 games, notching 85 hits, 14 doubles, 5 triples, and 7 home runs.

Rice flashed some power in Pittsburgh in 1953. After the trade from St. Louis, he kept up a .311 batting average over 78 games.

Notable offensive achievements:

• Became the fourth Cardinals player to hit 2 grand slams in one season
• Tied with Stan Musial for second most grand slams in a Cardinals season
• Drove in a career-high 45 RBIs in 1952

He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. In 1954, though, his offense really fell off—he hit just .153 with the Cubs.

Roles as Outfielder: Left Field, Center Field, Right Field

Rice pretty much lived in left field throughout his career. With the Cardinals, he mostly backed up Hall of Famer Stan Musial.

Managers usually put him in left field. After his trade to Pittsburgh, he became their regular left fielder for the final 78 games of 1953.

He wasn’t known for a cannon arm or blazing range, but he got the job done. Rice brought steady defense whenever his name was called.

Defensive career highlights:

• Spent most of his time in left field
• Backed up Stan Musial from 1948 to 1953
• Became Pittsburgh’s regular left fielder late in 1953
• Played as a utility outfielder for the Cubs in 1954

His solid glove helped him keep a roster spot as a role player. Rice’s defense fit nicely with his role as a dependable bench guy.

Post-Major League Career and Legacy

After his MLB days ended in 1954, Hal Rice kept playing in the Pacific Coast League and other minor leagues for two more years. He eventually put down roots in Bloomington, Indiana, and lived there until his death in 1997 at age 73.

Pacific Coast League with Los Angeles Angels

Rice joined the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League in 1955 when he was 31. Back then, the PCL was the top level of minor league baseball.

He seemed to rediscover his swing with the Angels, something that had escaped him late in his MLB career. Rice hit .262 and launched 25 home runs in Los Angeles.

That power surge was a career high for him. His 25 homers with the Angels actually topped his entire MLB total of 19.

The Pacific Coast League gave Rice regular at-bats, which probably helped him show off the offensive skills that once made him a prospect.

Final Years: Denver Bears, Richmond Virginians, and Sacramento Solons

Rice wrapped up his professional career in 1956, playing for three different teams. He split that season among the Denver Bears, Richmond Virginians, and Sacramento Solons.

At 32, Rice found it tough to get consistent results as he moved between clubs. His numbers dipped compared to his strong 1955 with Los Angeles.

Bouncing around like this was pretty common for older players trying to hang on. Rice was still hoping to show he could help a team.

After the 1956 season, Rice called it a career. He’d played pro ball for 15 years, starting all the way back in 1941 with Williamson.

Retirement and Life in Bloomington, Indiana

After retiring from baseball, Rice made his home in Bloomington, Indiana. He also spent time in St. Augustine, Florida, splitting the year between both places.

He lived a pretty low-key life in Bloomington for more than four decades. Rice stayed close to the local baseball scene and people recognized him for his professional career.

He earned a spot in the Delaware County Hall of Fame in 1981. That honor reflected both his baseball career and his roots in the community.

Rice’s military service during World War II meant a lot to him. He served as a second lieutenant in the Pacific Theater and took a wound in the Philippines.

Remembering Hal Rice: Legacy and Impact

Hal Rice died on December 22, 1997, at Bloomington Hospital in Bloomington, Indiana. He was 73 and had struggled with health problems for some time.

Because of his military service, he received burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. That honor really showed his commitment to both his country and the game of baseball.

Rice finished his MLB career with a batting average of .260 and hit 19 home runs. Over seven seasons, he played in 424 games—a solid run for a backup outfielder.

People called him “Hoot,” and he spent much of his time backing up Stan Musial in St. Louis. Rice embodied the kind of steady dedication you see in players who help their teams win, even if they never chase the spotlight themselves.