Missed Connections – J.C. Hartman

A couple years ago, I had gone to Kroger to get some groceries for my mom. I’d decided right as I headed out that I was gonna wear my Astros hat. I’m in the produce section and an older couple comes up, she asks if I work there, I say no, and he says, hey, I like your hat, he was wearing I think a 2017 WS hat.

We start talking and he goes, “you know, a long time ago I played on the Astros, except back then they were called the Colt .45s. My name’s J.C. Hartman, you can look me up”. I go, no way, that’s pretty cool, I look him up, and I’ll be damned that’s him. He played in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs, for the .45s, and served with the HPD after his time in baseball. We chatted a bit more and then went on with our respective grocery shopping. I then go, crap, I should’ve gotten a picture with him. I’m hoping to run into him again in the store so I can ask, and unfortunately only see them as they’re leaving and I’m in line to check out.

I still sometimes beat myself up because I didn’t ask for a picture. I always hoped to run into him again, and would keep an eye out when I went to that Kroger. I’m not living in Houston anymore, so it’s unlikely that’ll happen. But I also feel pretty lucky to have met him. While his career major league career was pretty short and his numbers weren’t the greatest, I never would’ve thought I would meet someone who’d played in the Negro Leagues or on the .45s. A little bit of history and he was a part of it.