He played in 93 games over all or parts of five seasons in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and the California Angels.

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.

[citation needed] 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.

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.