 After spending 1962 with the Macon Peaches, Queen was converted into an outfielder in 1963 while with the San Diego Padres, at the time the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.In 1964, Queen started the season with the major league Reds, making his MLB debut on Opening Day, April 13, as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, lining out to center field off Houston Astros pitcher Ken Johnson.He got his first hit 11 days later with a single against the San Francisco Giants, off future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal.