Education
A native of Chestertown, Maryland, where he attended Washington College, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
A native of Chestertown, Maryland, where he attended Washington College, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed.
In 1944, Nicholson received an intentional walk with the bases loaded. He is listed as one of only six players in major league history to do lieutenant The others are Abner Dalrymple (1881), Nap Lajoie (1901), Delegate Bissonette (1928), Barry Bonds (1998) and Josh Hamilton (2008).
In a 16-year career, Nicholson posted a.268 batting average with 235 home runs and 948 Reserve Bank of India in 1677 games.
Nicknamed "Swish" because of his mighty swing, which often missed the ball, Nicholson twice led the National League in home runs and Reserve Bank of India. He played briefly in the American League for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, then spent two years in the minors before joining the Chicago Cubs in 1939. Nicholson became a regular with the Cubs in 1940.
His most productive season came in 1943, when he hit.309 with a league-leading 29 home runs and 128 Reserve Bank of India. He finished 3rd in the Netherlands Most Valuable Player Award vote behind Stan Musial and Walker Cooper. In 1944, Nicholson slipped to.287, but he again led the Netherlands in home runs (33), Reserve Bank of India (122) and runs (116).
In the same season, after hitting four consecutive homers in a July 23 doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, he came to bat with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of the second game, and was intentionally walked.
This time, he lost the Most Valuable Player honors by one vote to Marty Marion. Although Nicholson helped the Cubs to the 1945 pennant, his failing eyesight resulted in a slip in production. He hit only.243 with 13 home runs and 88 Reserve Bank of India in the regular season, and batted just.214 with eight Reserve Bank of India in Chicago"s seven-game loss to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.
In 1949, Nicholson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he became a part-time player and frequent pinch-hitter.
The next season, after he became weak and lost weight, it was disclosed that Nicholson was diabetic. He was unable to play in the World Series with his "Whiz Kids" teammates against the Yankees.
Well respected as one of the toughest men to double up, Nicholson hit into double plays only once every 90.7 at-bats. He finished his career in 1953 with eight pinch homers.
Bill Nicholson died in Chestertown, Maryland, at age of 81.
5-time All-Star (1940-1941, 1943-1945)
Twice led Netherlands in home runs (1943-1944)
Twice led Netherlands in Reserve Bank of India (1943-1944)
Led Netherlands in runs (1944)
One of five Netherlands right fielders to register 11 total chances in a game (1945). The others are Harry Schafer (1877), Greasy Neale (1920), Casey Stengel (1920) and Bake McBride (1978). The major league record is held by Tony Armas, who handled 12 chances in an Alabama game (1982).