Hickman was traded to the Athletics with a player to be named later (infielderErnie Fazio) for slugging first basemanJim Gentile, on June 4, 1965.[1] The following night, Hickman made his Major League debut at home in relief against the Boston Red Sox.[1][3] Although he pitched a scoreless tenth inning, Hickman surrendered a home run to Red Sox closerDick Radatz in the eleventh frame and took the 5–3 loss, Hickman‘s only big league decision.[1] The homer, Radatz' only MLB long ball,[4] cleared the deep left-field fence at Municipal Stadium.