He attended Snow Hill High School, and played semi-pro baseball.

[4] In 1962, with the Single-A Springfield Giants of the Eastern League, Hart had a .337 batting average with 18 home runs and 107 RBI.

In 1963, he hit .312 for the Triple-A Tacoma Giants of the Pacific Coast League in 83 games.

[6][7][2] The following spring training, Giants manager Alvin Dark worked with Hart on how to avoid being hit by pitches.

[1] In 1965, Hart was fined and suspended by Giants' manager Herman Franks after breaking curfew.

Some of his teammates feared he was becoming an alcoholic, and Giants' captain Willie Mays had a talk with him.

"[11] Hart's batting average fell to .258 in 1968, splitting time between third base and left field.

[1] In December 1970, Hart had surgery on his right shoulder, for a chronic degenerative condition.

[13] Alcohol and weight control may also have played a part in his declining performance.