Joe Hicks: Early 1960's Mets Outfielder (1963)

William Joseph Hicks was born on April 7th, 1933, in Ivy Virginia. The six-foot left hand hitting outfielder, threw right-handed. He attended the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, where he earned a degree in education.

He was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1953. He toiled in the minor leagues for seven seasons before getting a chance in September of 1959 for the Go-Go Sox who were on their way to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. 

MLB Career: Hicks played in six September games going 3-7 (.429) but was not eligible for the post season.

In 1960 he hit .303 at AAA San Diego in the Pacific Coast League, getting back to the White Sox for 36 games where he hit .191 & drove in his first two career runs.

That December he was drafted by the expansion Los Angeles Angels as the 42nd pick. But just six days later he was traded to the Washington Senators, where he appeared in 12 games of the 1961 season.

 In 1962 he saw the most action of his career playing in 102 games for the tenth place Senators who won just 60 games while losing 101. He was a reserve outfielder behind the likes of Bob Johnson, Chuck Hinton & Jimmy Piersall. 

On June 6th, he hit a 9th inning HR off Dick Hall & the Baltimore Orioles, which turned out to be the games winning run.

Hicks hit four of his six HRs in that month of June, finishing the year batting .224 with 6 HRs & 14 RBIs. That off season his contract was sold to the New York Mets who were the only team to lose more games than Washington in 1962.

Mets Career: Hicks began the season at AAA Buffalo where he hit 14 HRs while batting .330 getting called up to the Mets in July. 

Hicks made his first Mets appearance as a pinch hitter, striking out against Sandy Koufax in a 6-0 three hit, 13 strike out Sandy Koufax victory.

Quotes- Casey Stengel: After striking out against Koufax, "Hicksy, don’t let it fret you, don’t let it fret you. He struck out a lot of guys and he’s gonna strike out a lot more.’

In mid-July Hicks had the best week of his career, starting with a three hit, two RBI Day against the Houston Astros in a14-5 Mets win in the first game of a twin bill.

HRs in Three Straight Games: From July 16th to July18th, Hicks homered in three straight games. The first was against Houston's Turk Farrell, in a 4-3 win at the Polo Grounds. 

Walk Off HR: On July 17th, Hicks came to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning, in a tied game against the defending NL Champion San Francisco Giants. The Giants removed Gaylord Perry & brought in reliver Don Larsen. Joe Christopher reached first base & the sign came in from third base coach Solly Hemus for Hicks to bunt. Hicks laid down a beauty, but the ball rolled foul at the last minute.

Manager Casey Stengel had managed Larsen in New York & knew after a sac attempt, Larsen would throw a high hard one. The bunt sign was off & Hicks swung away. He hit a dramatic walk off, two run HR off Larsen, scoring Christopher with the winning runs.

On July 18th, he put the Mets ahead with a 7th inning three run HR off the Giants Bobby Bolin. The Mets would end up losing the game the next inning. 

Hick's hot streak would not last, but he did keep himself in the lineup for most of the rest of the season. 

Four RBI-Game: On August 11th, Joe hit a three run HR off the Cubs Jim Brewer, as he had a two hit, four RBI game in a big 11-4 Mets win at Shea Stadium.

In 56 games with New York, he batted .226 with five HRs, six doubles, & 22 RBIs. Hicks played in 41 games in the outfield posting a .966 fielding % making one assist with three errors committed. 

 Hicks would spend the next three seasons in the minor leagues at AAA Buffalo where he hit 31 HRs over those seasons.

In his five-year MLB career, he hit .221 with 92 hits 11 doubles 12 HRs & 39 RBIs.

Retirement: After baseball he became the director of athletic programs in the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. At age 80 he still plays the game & is an umpire for high school baseball.

Family: Joe & his wife Toni had two daughters & seven grandchildren.

Passing: On December 2nd, 2023, Hicks passed away at his home in Charlottesville, VA at age 91.