Born in Virginia, he is credited with winning baseball's first batting triple crown in 1878 (Tommy Bond had accomplished the pitching version the year before); the accomplishment was not noted at the time, as runs batted in would not be counted until years later, home runs were rare and home run leadership obscure, and Abner Dalrymple was then erroneously recognized as the batting champion.

He essentially repeated himself the following year, batting .331 with 101 hits in 64 games; he led the new National League in doubles with 21.

As the category of runs batted in (RBI) was not generally recognized at the time, Hines was only given credit as the first "Triple Crown" winner years later.

While a handful of players would match the hits total over the years, only four have surpassed it (Johnny Burnett did so first in 1932 with nine).

The next year saw him play eighty games and bat just .285 but led the league in doubles with 27 while having 103 hits.

He batted .250 (2-for-8) with three walks, an RBI, and two stolen bases as the Grays won the title.

He finished his professional career splitting 1896 between the minor league teams Burlington, Iowa and Mobile, Alabama, at the age of 41.

Hines was a two-time batting champion (1878–79) while finishing in the top ten of the NA once (1875) and the NL four times (1876, 1880, 1882, 1886).

He also remained among the top ten major league career home run hitters as late as 1887.

His total of sixteen seasons as a major league team's primary center fielder was not surpassed until Tris Speaker and Ty Cobb in 1925.

Hines was a favorite player of William McKinley while the latter was a United States Representative from Ohio.

[3] After his playing career ended, William McKinley helped him secure a government job.