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James Michael Hegan
Seattle Pilots
First Base-Outfield
Born: July 21, 1942, Cleveland, OH
Signed: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, August 9, 1961
Major League Teams: New York Yankees 1964, 1966-67; Seattle Pilots 1969; Milwaukee Brewers 1970-71; Oakland Athletics 1971-73; New York Yankees 1973-74; Milwaukee Brewers 1974-77
World Series Appearances: New York Yankees 1964; Oakland Athletics 1972
Died: December 25, 2013, Hilton Head, SC (age 71)
Mike Hegan grew up around baseball as his father, Jim Hegan, was a long-time catcher and a five-time All-Star between 1941 and 1960. The younger Hegan was drafted by the Yankees, and he'd appear in five regular season games in 1964 as a September call-up. With an injury to Tony Kubek, Hegan was added to the World Series roster following the season, seeing action in three different postseason games. He wouldn't get a shot at regular playing time until the Pilots picked him up in one of the franchise's first transactions. Hegan was the opening day right fielder for the Pilots, and he was named the Pilots' only All-Star for that year's All-Star Game. Don Mincher (#285) replaced Hegan on the roster as the outfielder was injured at the time. The Pilots relocated to Milwaukee for the 1970 season, and Hegan was the opening day first baseman for the Brewers, ultimately appearing in a career-high 148 games. Hegan's next role was as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement for the Athletics' dynasty of the early 1970s. He'd go to the postseason in 1971 and 1972 with the team and win a ring when the Athletics defeated the Reds in seven games in 1972.
Died: December 25, 2013, Hilton Head, SC (age 71)
Mike Hegan grew up around baseball as his father, Jim Hegan, was a long-time catcher and a five-time All-Star between 1941 and 1960. The younger Hegan was drafted by the Yankees, and he'd appear in five regular season games in 1964 as a September call-up. With an injury to Tony Kubek, Hegan was added to the World Series roster following the season, seeing action in three different postseason games. He wouldn't get a shot at regular playing time until the Pilots picked him up in one of the franchise's first transactions. Hegan was the opening day right fielder for the Pilots, and he was named the Pilots' only All-Star for that year's All-Star Game. Don Mincher (#285) replaced Hegan on the roster as the outfielder was injured at the time. The Pilots relocated to Milwaukee for the 1970 season, and Hegan was the opening day first baseman for the Brewers, ultimately appearing in a career-high 148 games. Hegan's next role was as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement for the Athletics' dynasty of the early 1970s. He'd go to the postseason in 1971 and 1972 with the team and win a ring when the Athletics defeated the Reds in seven games in 1972.
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| 1976 Topps #69 |
Building the Set / Card #486
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.
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 42nd 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.
The Card / Pilots Team Set / Accuracy Index -8
Hegan is wearing a Yankees jersey here, and it's odd Topps couldn't get a photo of him in his new uniform when the other Pilots players on the checklist this late are all sporting their new Pilots' gear. The write-up on the back explains Hegan had joined the organization before the expansion draft. Jim Hegan makes a cameo in the cartoon, and the elder Hegan was a coach with the Yankees (1960-73; 1979-80) during both of the younger Hegan's stints with the club.
Accuracy Index: Hegan scores a rare, for a later series card, -8.
1969 Season
On June 14, 1968, the Pilots purchased Hegan's contract from the Yankees, making him one of the first players on the Pilots' roster. He hit the first home run in Pilots' history, a two-run shot on opening day in the top of the first, off the Angels' Jim McGlothlin (#386). Tommy Harper (#42) had doubled to lead off the game. Hegan was batting .296 when he was selected to the American League All-Stars, but an injury derailed his trip to RFK Stadium in Washington. Hegan appeared in 95 games overall, batting .292 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs.
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First Mainstream Card: 1967 Topps #553
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11): 1967-77
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2002 Upper Deck Vintage Special Collection Game Jersey #S-MH
Total Non-Parallel Baseball Cards: 56 in the Beckett online database as of 3/16/25.
Sources:
Baseball Reference / SABR / Wikipedia
Beckett Database / The Trading Card Database
#576 Phillies Rookie Stars / #578 Don Bosch - Montreal Expos
When Mickey Mantle moved to 1st base for 1967 & 1968, Hegan saw some playing time as a late-inning defensive replacement for the Mick.
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