He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder, third baseman and first baseman from 1979 through 1990, most notably as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers when he replaced an injured Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series and hit .368 (7/19) with two home runs and five RBI to help the Dodgers win the world championship.

[4] The following season, Hatcher spent time playing for both San Antonio in the Class AA Texas League and AAA Albuquerque.

Hatcher would start the 1980 season knocking around AAA pitching (hitting .359 in 43 games) before again being called up to the parent club.

On March 30, 1981, the Dodgers traded Hatcher and two minor leaguers to the Minnesota Twins for veteran outfielder Ken Landreaux.

He is admired for his fun-loving approach to playing baseball, particularly on the World Champion 1988 Dodger team, and was featured in various presentations to the tune of the "Mickey Mouse Club" song.

Hatcher was famously portrayed on 1986 Fleer and 1991 Upper Deck baseball cards with his "giant glove".