Joe Hatten – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Joe Hatten’s name doesn’t ring out quite like some of his Brooklyn Dodgers teammates, but his journey from a small Iowa town to the major leagues really tells a story of grit and talent. The lefty pitcher put together a solid seven-year career in the big leagues, suiting up for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs before he finally hung up his glove in 1952.

He finished with a career record of 65 wins and 49 losses, posting a 3.87 ERA in 233 major league games. Hatten served as a steady starter during Brooklyn’s competitive years in the late 1940s.

His path to the majors wasn’t typical. Hatten didn’t break into the big leagues until age 29, after spending more than three years in military service during World War II.

That late start makes what he achieved even more impressive.

From American Legion ball in Bancroft, Iowa, to his last season with the Cubs, Hatten’s career spanned some of baseball’s wildest years. His story features pennant races, World Series appearances, and the unforgettable experience of playing alongside Jackie Robinson during his groundbreaking rookie season in 1947.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Joseph Hilarian Hatten was born on November 7, 1916, in Bancroft, Iowa. He was the fourth of eleven children in a working-class family.

His baseball journey started with Junior American Legion ball as a teenager. He then moved on to semipro baseball around his hometown.

Joe got his first professional shot in 1939 with Crookston in the Northern League. He made an immediate impact there.

Family Background and Childhood in Bancroft, Iowa

Joe Hatten grew up in a big family in Bancroft, Iowa. His parents, Frank and Gertrude Hatten, raised eleven children—six girls and five boys.

Frank ran a harness-making shop, which kept him busy back in the early 1900s when horses were still a big deal for American business and farming.

The family lived in a small Iowa town where baseball was a favorite pastime. Joe was the fourth child in the Hatten family.

Life in a crowded house taught Joe about hard work and competition. Those lessons stuck with him and shaped his baseball career.

Junior American Legion and Semipro Baseball

Joe’s first real taste of organized baseball came through Junior American Legion ball as a teen. That program let local kids play competitive baseball in their communities.

When he aged out of Legion ball, Joe kept playing semipro ball around Bancroft. He spent four years pitching at that level, facing older and more experienced players.

These semipro games were big entertainment in small Iowa towns. They gave Joe a chance to hone his skills against some tough hitters.

During these years, Joe built a reputation as a talented left-handed pitcher. Local scouts started noticing him.

Crookston and the Northern League

Joe signed his first professional contract in 1939 with Crookston, Minnesota, in the Class D Northern League. This was his first step into organized pro baseball.

In his first full season, Joe led the team in victories. He put up a 14-14 record for a last-place club, which spoke volumes about his ability to win games even with little help from the offense.

He did more than just win games. Joe kept a 3.02 ERA and led the whole Northern League with 299 strikeouts, including a wild twenty-one strikeouts in a single game.

The Northern League was a solid launchpad for young players. Joe’s success in Crookston showed he could handle pro ball, earning him a shot at higher levels in the minors.

Minor League Journey and Military Service

Hatten’s climb to the majors took him through the Minneapolis Millers and Montreal Royals before World War II put his baseball career on pause. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945, which delayed his pro development but gave him valuable pitching time on military teams.

Playing for Minneapolis Millers and American Association

In 1941, Hatten jumped to the top level of the minor leagues by joining the Minneapolis Millers in the American Association. This was his first taste of high-level minor league baseball after some struggles with lower-level teams.

The American Association stood at the top of the Triple-A competition. Hatten went 5-6 with the Minneapolis Millers, splitting his time between starting and relief.

Brooklyn Dodgers scout Andy Cohen took notice of Hatten’s progress and kept filing positive reports on him.

Based on Cohen’s recommendation, the Brooklyn Dodgers picked up Hatten from the Minneapolis Millers in December 1941. That move put him into the Dodgers’ farm system, paving the way for his major league debut.

Montreal Royals and Path to the Major Leagues

The Montreal Royals were Brooklyn’s top minor league affiliate in the International League. Hatten started the 1942 season with Montreal, putting up a 4-2 record before military service interrupted everything.

Even in that short stint, Hatten showed he could handle higher-level competition. The International League was just a step below the majors, so it was a big proving ground.

While he was in Montreal, the Brooklyn Dodgers bought his contract straight from the Montreal Royals. That showed the team had real confidence in him.

But Hatten got called up to Navy service on May 25, 1942, cutting his Montreal run short. He later said, “But it was going to be a long time before I could pitch for them.”

U.S. Navy Service During World War II

Hatten served in the U.S. Navy for 41 months, from May 1942 to October 1945. He spent 10 of those months overseas in the Pacific Theater, Australia, and India.

While stationed at the Naval Air Station in Livermore, California, Hatten kept pitching for service teams. He racked up an 85-25 record in military baseball across both overseas and domestic games.

His time in the U.S. Navy gave him a ton of pitching experience against some serious competition. Lots of pro players served during World War II, so those service teams were stacked.

During his service, Hatten also married Zanette Easley on March 20, 1944. After his discharge in October 1945, Hatten played winter ball in California just to stay sharp before rejoining the Dodgers.

Major League Career Overview

Joe Hatten pitched in the majors for six seasons from 1946 to 1952. He put together a 65-49 record with a 3.87 ERA in 233 games.

He spent four productive years as a starter with the Brooklyn Dodgers, then moved into a relief role and finished up with the Chicago Cubs after a big eight-player trade.

Brooklyn Dodgers Years (1946–1951)

Hatten debuted in the majors on April 21, 1946, at Ebbets Field. He outpitched Giants starter Bill Voiselle and picked up a 2-1 win in his first start.

His rookie year was a strong one—14-11 record and a 2.84 ERA. Hatten led the Dodgers with 13 complete games and helped the team reach the first playoff in major league history against the Cardinals.

Peak Years (1947-1949):

• 1947: 17-8 record, 3.63 ERA
• 1948: 13-10 record, 3.58 ERA
• 1949: 12-8 record, 4.18 ERA

Hatten’s best moment came in a September 14, 1947 double-header in Cincinnati. He threw a complete game win in the opener, then held the Reds to just one hit over five and two-thirds innings to win the nightcap.

Control issues followed Hatten throughout his time in Brooklyn. He actually walked more batters than he struck out every season, and he led the league in hit batters with seven in 1946.

Chicago Cubs Tenure and Trade

On June 15, 1951, the Dodgers traded Hatten to the Chicago Cubs in an eight-player deal. The Cubs got Hatten, Gene Hermanski, Eddie Miksis, and Bruce Edwards in exchange for Johnny Schmitz, Rube Walker, Wayne Terwilliger, and Andy Pafko.

Hatten joined a struggling Cubs squad that finished 34.5 games behind the Giants that year. He posted a rough 2-6 record in 1951.

Spring training in 1952 brought some hope. Cubs manager Phil Cavarretta said, “The way Hatten’s going this spring, I think he’s going to be very valuable to us.”

But things didn’t really turn around. Hatten struggled in his last season, going 4-4 with a 6.08 ERA in 13 games (eight starts) before the Cubs sent him to the Los Angeles Angels on July 4, 1952.

Pitching Style: Starter, Reliever, and Durability

Hatten started his career as a starter pitcher and logged over 200 innings for three straight seasons (1946-1948). He showed his durability with all those complete games and his willingness to pitch in relief when the team needed him.

By 1950-1951, new arms like Don Newcombe, Preacher Roe, and Carl Erskine started to take over, so Hatten moved into more of a reliever role. He started only 14 games over those two seasons.

Manager Leo Durocher liked Hatten’s curveball when he kept it low in the strike zone. Durocher pointed out that if Hatten got his curve “across the letters, they murder him.”

Hatten wrapped up his career with 65 wins, 49 losses, and a 3.87 ERA in 233 games. He showed he could handle both starting and relieving as the team needed.

Notable Teammates and Opponents

Hatten played with Jackie Robinson during Robinson’s historic 1947 rookie season. He started the Dodgers’ season opener on April 15, pitching six innings in Brooklyn’s 5-3 win.

He faced the Yankees in the World Series in both 1947 and 1949. In Game Three of the 1947 Series, Hatten gave up six runs in four and one-third innings, including a two-run homer to Joe DiMaggio.

During his Brooklyn days, Hatten was part of pitching staffs loaded with stars and rising talent. The arrival of Preacher Roe in 1948 and Don Newcombe in 1949 eventually cut into his starts.

Hatten often dominated second-division teams. In 1947, sixteen of his seventeen wins came against the Reds, Cubs, and Phillies.

Statistical Achievements and Pitching Records

Joe Hatten put together a career record of 65 wins and 49 losses over seven seasons with the Dodgers and Cubs from 1946 to 1952. His best stats came during his peak years in Brooklyn, where he had four straight seasons with double-digit wins.

MLB Statistics and Performance

Hatten finished his major league career with a 3.87 ERA in 233 games. His top season was 1947, when he went 17-8 with a 3.63 ERA for the pennant-winning Dodgers.

He struck out 381 batters over his career. During his prime (1946-1949), he consistently pitched over 200 innings a year.

His .570 win-loss percentage showed he could help competitive teams win.

Hatten’s 1946 rookie season established him as a reliable starter. He went 14-11 with a 2.84 ERA, leading the Dodgers staff in complete games with 13. That performance helped Brooklyn reach the first-ever major league playoff.

Complete Games and Shutouts

In his 1946 rookie season, Hatten completed 13 games. That number ended up being the highest of his career.

He showed real durability during his peak years. Hatten usually finished what he started on the mound.

On September 14, 1947, in Cincinnati, he had his most remarkable single-game performance. Hatten pitched a complete game win in the first game of a doubleheader, then came back to throw the last five and two-thirds innings of the nightcap, picking up his second win of the day.

Brooklyn valued his ability to work deep into games. Those complete game totals really matched an era obsessed with pitcher endurance.

Strikeouts, ERA, and Walks

Hatten struggled with control issues throughout his major league career. He walked more batters than he struck out every season.

In 1946, he led the league with 110 walks, which definitely raised eyebrows. That same year, he also led the National League in hit batsmen with seven.

Those control problems limited what he could do, no matter how much talent he had. His career walk totals really dragged down his overall performance.

Hatten posted his best ERA as a rookie at 2.84. By 1949, his earned run average climbed to 4.18 as his control problems got worse.

Manager Burt Shotton once said Hatten was “either very good or very bad,” and that inconsistency followed him.

Notable Games and Records

Hatten won his major league debut on April 21, 1946, at Ebbets Field. He outpitched Bill Voiselle of the New York Giants in a tight 2-1 win that showed off his potential.

He made his last big league appearance on July 4, 1952, as a reliever facing St. Louis. That year, he finished with a 4-4 record and a 6.08 ERA in 13 games before heading to the minors.

After leaving MLB, Hatten pitched in the minors and threw a seven-inning no-hitter against San Diego on June 7, 1953. That season, he led the Pacific Coast League with 152 strikeouts and went 17-11 for the Los Angeles Angels.

World Series and Pennant Appearances

Joe Hatten reached the top of the baseball world with the Brooklyn Dodgers, helping them win National League pennants in 1947 and 1949. He faced the powerhouse New York Yankees in the postseason, taking part in some memorable moments at Ebbets Field and on the biggest stage.

1947 and 1949 NL Pennants with Brooklyn Dodgers

Hatten played a big role in Brooklyn’s pennant-winning seasons in the late 1940s. In 1947, he finished 17-8 with a 3.63 ERA, helping the Dodgers win their first pennant since 1941.

He started the Dodgers’ season opener on April 15, 1947, working six innings and leaving the game trailing 3-2. The Dodgers rallied to win 5-3, and this game also marked Jackie Robinson’s major league debut, putting Hatten in the middle of baseball history.

On September 14, 1947, he put together his most impressive day, pitching a complete game win in the opener of a doubleheader in Cincinnati. He came back to hold the Reds to one hit over the last five and two-thirds innings in the nightcap, picking up his fifteenth and sixteenth wins of the season.

In 1949, Hatten went 12-8 as Brooklyn edged out the St. Louis Cardinals by just one game for the NL pennant. His ERA rose to 4.18, but he still played a key part in the rotation during the pennant chase.

Facing the Yankees and Ebbets Field Highlights

Both of Hatten’s World Series appearances came against the dominant Yankees. The 1947 Series had some wild moments at Ebbets Field, where Brooklyn fans saw their team take on their crosstown rivals.

After the Yankees took the first two games at Yankee Stadium, the series moved to Ebbets Field for Game Three. Hatten got the start for this crucial home game.

He gave up six runs in four and a third innings, including a two-run homer to Joe DiMaggio. Even so, the Dodgers managed to pull out a 9-8 win.

Hugh Casey got the win in relief after Hatten left. The Dodgers hit Yankees starter Bobo Newsom hard enough to keep their World Series dreams alive. That ended up being Hatten’s only World Series start.

The Yankees won the 1947 Fall Classic in seven games. Hatten made short relief appearances in the last three games, doing his best to help Brooklyn push the series further.

The 1949 World Series didn’t go as well, with the Yankees finishing off Brooklyn in just five games.

Key World Series Performances and Opposing Stars

Hatten’s World Series stats show how tough it is to face top-tier competition. He finished with a career ERA of 8.44 and 5 strikeouts in 6 World Series games, all against Yankees lineups stacked with Hall of Famers.

In the 1949 Series, Hatten pitched in Game Four as a reliever, giving up three earned runs in one and a third innings. He returned for Game Five but lasted just a third of an inning as the Yankees wrapped up the title.

Joe DiMaggio stood out as Hatten’s most famous opponent. DiMaggio hit a two-run homer off Hatten in Game Three of the 1947 Series, contributing to Hatten’s struggles in his only World Series start.

Even with that rough ERA, Hatten’s World Series experience marked the high point of his career. He faced the best hitters in the game on baseball’s biggest stage, appearing in six Fall Classic games over two seasons with Brooklyn.

Later Career, Retirement, and Legacy

After his major league days ended in 1952, Joe Hatten kept playing pro ball in the high minors for almost a decade. Eventually, he switched gears and became a postal worker before passing away in 1988 at age 72.

Return to the High Minors After MLB

The Dodgers sent Hatten to the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League in July 1952 after his last MLB appearance. “I guess I was just rockin’ along up there,” he admitted about his struggles. “It was an awful shock to discover that all the clubs would waive on me.”

The move to the high minors worked out for the veteran lefty. He finished 1952 with an 8-8 record for the Angels as a starter.

In 1953, he had his best minor league season, going 17-11 with a 3.34 ERA. He led the Pacific Coast League with 152 strikeouts and threw a seven-inning no-hitter against San Diego on June 7.

Hatten pitched nine more minor league seasons after leaving the majors. He won 93 games and lost 87, spending almost all that time at Triple-A. His minor league success proved he could still compete at a high level.

Retirement from Pro Ball in 1960

At 43, Hatten retired from professional baseball in 1960. He settled in Redding, California, and started working as a mailman for the United States Postal Service.

Even after he changed careers, Hatten stayed connected to his baseball roots. He went back to Bancroft, Iowa, every year until 1981 for the old-timers game. The town even honored him with “Joe Hatten Day” celebrations.

Bancroft renamed the street leading to the sandlot ball fields as Joe Hatten Drive. That honor showed just how much he meant to his community and to local baseball.

Death, Grave, and Memorials

Joe Hatten died on December 16, 1988, in Redding, California. He was 72.

He’d been battling cancer before he passed away. It’s never easy to sum up a life, but that’s part of his story.

His wife, Zanette, survived him, along with their five children. Their sons are Donald and William, and their daughters are Donna, Judy, and Barbara.

Find a Grave records show that Hatten rests at the Inwood/Ogburn Cemetery in Shingletown, California.

He finished his MLB career with 65 wins and 49 losses, posting a 3.87 ERA over 233 games. Hatten really hit his stride with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1946 to 1949.

During those years, he won at least 12 games each season for four straight years. That stretch still stands out if you look back at his legacy.