He appeared in 212 games played in Major League Baseball over all or parts of five seasons as an outfielder and pinch hitter for the Chicago White Sox (1959–60), Washington Senators (1961–62) and New York Mets (1963).

Born in Ivy, Virginia on Decca Farm,[1] he batted left-handed, threw right-handed, and was listed as 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg).

After five seasons in the minor leagues and two years of service in the United States Army,[2] Hicks was recalled by the pennant-bound White Sox in September 1959.

He hit six home runs in limited service, but he batted only .224 overall and his contract was sold to the Mets at the close of the campaign.

But limited playing time in the majors hurt his production: he collected only 92 total hits, with 11 doubles, three triples and 12 homers, in his 212 games, batting .221.