Born in St. Louis, he batted right-handed and was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 185 pounds (84 kg).

Habenicht's 11-season professional career began in 1944 and continued into 1956, with the 1945 campaign taken up by his service in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.

[1] After playing in the Cardinal farm system through 1950, he made the Redbird roster in April and worked in three early-season National League games before returning to the minors.

At the close of 1952, which Habenicht split between Double-A Houston and Triple-A Rochester, the Cards placed him on waivers, and the city's American League team, the Browns, picked him up.

On May 3, 1953, Habenicht made his only appearance for the Browns in his final MLB game, allowing one run in 12⁄3 innings pitched against the Boston Red Sox at Busch Stadium.