Jesse Hickman

Who is Jesse Hickman?

Jesse Owens Hickman is an American former Major League Baseball player who pitched for the 1965–1966 Kansas City Athletics. The 6 ft 2 in, 186 lb right-hander attended Louisiana College.

Hickman originally signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and also pitched in the minor league system of the Houston Colt .45s/Astros before being traded to the Athletics with a player to be named later for slugging first baseman Jim Gentile on June 4, 1965. The following night, he made his Major League debut at home in relief against the Boston Red Sox. Although he pitched a scoreless tenth inning, Hickman surrendered a home run to Red Sox closer Dick Radatz in the eleventh frame and took the 5–3 loss, his only MLB decision. The homer, Radatz' only MLB long ball, cleared the deep left-field fence at Municipal Stadium.

Hickman appeared in 12 more MLB games during 1965 and 1966, striking out 16 men in 16⅓ innings pitched, but yielding ten earned runs, nine hits and nine bases on balls. He retired from baseball after the 1967 minor league season.