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Jim Ray Hart
San Francisco Giants
Outfield
Born: October 30, 1941, Hookerton, NC
Signed: Signed by the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent before 1960 season
Major League Teams: San Francisco Giants 1963-73; New York Yankees 1973-74
Died: May 19, 2016, Acampo, CA (age 74)
Slugger Jim Ray Hart spent a decade playing for the Giants, hitting at least 23 home runs five consecutive seasons between 1964 and 1968. Hart finished as the Rookie of the Year ruuner-up, tied with Rico Carty (#590) and behind Dick Allen (#350) in 1964, when as the Giants' everyday third baseman he batted .286 with 31 home runs and 81 RBIs. His numbers would improve in 1965 and in 1966 Hart was named to his only All-Star team. That was to be his career year as he batted .285 with a career-high 33 home runs and 93 RBIs. He'd drive in 99 runs in 1967, splitting time between third base and left field. Hart struggled defensively and he'd move to a reserve role with the Giants in 1969. After a few more seasons with the club, which included multiple stints in the minor leagues, Hart was sold to the Yankees before the 1973 season. He'd DH for the Yankees in his last full season in the majors, batting .254 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Slugger Jim Ray Hart spent a decade playing for the Giants, hitting at least 23 home runs five consecutive seasons between 1964 and 1968. Hart finished as the Rookie of the Year ruuner-up, tied with Rico Carty (#590) and behind Dick Allen (#350) in 1964, when as the Giants' everyday third baseman he batted .286 with 31 home runs and 81 RBIs. His numbers would improve in 1965 and in 1966 Hart was named to his only All-Star team. That was to be his career year as he batted .285 with a career-high 33 home runs and 93 RBIs. He'd drive in 99 runs in 1967, splitting time between third base and left field. Hart struggled defensively and he'd move to a reserve role with the Giants in 1969. After a few more seasons with the club, which included multiple stints in the minor leagues, Hart was sold to the Yankees before the 1973 season. He'd DH for the Yankees in his last full season in the majors, batting .254 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Hart would play parts of three seasons in the Mexican League before retiring in 1976. For his big league career, Hart batted .278 with 1,052 hits, 170 home runs and 578 RBIs. He was one of several inaugural inductees into the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame in 2008.
Some text for this post originally appeared on my 1965 Topps blog.
Building the Set / Card #473
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
The Card / Giants Team Set / Accuracy Index +5
1969 Season
Hart was the opening day left fielder for the Giants, but injuries throughout the season limited him to just 71 starts - 68 in left and three at third base. In 95 games overall, he batted .254 with three home runs and 26 RBIs in his toughest season in the majors to this point in his career.
December 15, 2024 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards)
On Sunday, December 15th, Doug and I attended the latest Philly Show, spaciously spread out inside Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. I wrote a full show report over at The Phillies Room, including some thoughts on attending the show with our oldest son, who first graced the Philly Show floors back in 2012.
Having had success the prior two shows at Uncle Dick's Cards with his well-organized, neon common binders, I opted to pull up a chair once again at the friendly dealer's array of tables. The aim was simple: Clear out Uncle Dick's 1969 Topps commons, starting off where I had left off the year before with card #501 and going through the end of the set, card #664. In less than 25 minutes, I completed my quest, and this is the 29th of 98 commons pulled from the binder. After a generous dealer discount due to my bulk purchase, this card cost me a little less than $2.
It looks as if the photos for this card and Hart's 1968 Topps card were taken at the same time. A game against the Phillies is highlighted on the back of the card. On June 6, 1968, at Candlestick Park, Hart hit two three-run home runs in leading the Giants to a 7-2 win over the Phillies. His home runs came off Phillies' pitcher Rick Wise (#188) and Turk Farrell (#531).
Accuracy Index: Hart's card scores a solid +5.
1969 Season
Hart was the opening day left fielder for the Giants, but injuries throughout the season limited him to just 71 starts - 68 in left and three at third base. In 95 games overall, he batted .254 with three home runs and 26 RBIs in his toughest season in the majors to this point in his career.
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First Mainstream Card: 1964 Topps #452
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11): 1964-74
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 1978 TCMA The 1960s I #269
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 44 in the Beckett online database as of 2/26/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Beckett Database / The Trading Card Database
1965 Topps Blog
1965 Topps Blog
#554 Frank Bertaina - Washington Senators / #556 A's Stars CPC
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