After signing with the White Sox in 1959, Hicks played six seasons in their farm system before breaking the ice with two MLB appearances as a pinch runner in the waning days of 1964. He spent portions of 1965 and 1966 with the ChiSox, but got into only 31 games with 47 plate appearances.
The banner year set up Hicks' lone full season in the majors, 1969, which he split between the Cardinals and the California Angels. He started an MLB-career-high 11 games as the Cardinals' right fielder during May, but was hitting only .182 with one home run when he was traded to the Angels May 30 for another outfielder, Vic Davalillo. The Angels used Hicks in 37 games as an outfielder, first baseman and pinch hitter, but he collected only four hits in 48 at bats (.083), although three of those hits were home runs.
Hawaii and Japan
A brief stay on the Angels' 1970 opening-season roster produced one single in four pinch-hitting appearances before he was sent to the Angels' Triple-A affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders of the Pacific Coast League. Now a 30-year-old veteran, Hicks put up three strong seasons for the Islanders, hitting over .300 with power each year. As a result, he was acquired by Hiroshima and played two years in NPB, appearing in 183 total games and hitting .247 with 33 home runs.
Playing style and statistics
Hicks played a total of 93 MLB games as an outfielder and first baseman. Hicks' professional career in North America and Japan lasted for 16 seasons, and saw him hit more than 245 home runs. Jim Hicks batted .163 lifetime in the major leagues, with 23 hits – one double, three triples, five home runs and 14 runs batted in — in 141 at bats. Hicks threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed 205 pounds (93 kg).
