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From 1940-1944 Bill Nicholson was one of the most respected hitters in the game. During that run he averaged 28 doubles, 27 homers, and 105 RBI per season. The five-year span included a .508 slugging percentage and a 153 OPS+.

Nicholson wasn’t just respected, he was also feared. Undeniable proof came in a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds in 1944.

In the first game of the July 23rd twin bill, Nicholson menaced the Giants. The Cubs slugger went 3-for-3 with a walk, three homers, four RBI, and four runs scored.

The 25,725 in attendance at the Polo Grounds watched Nicholson’s dominance continue in the second game. In the 3rd inning he slapped an RBI single then scored when the next batter hit a homer.

In the 5th the Giants issued Nicholson his second walk of the day. Then in the 7th, Nicholson went deep again. It was his fifth hit, fourth home run, sixth RBI and sixth run of the day.

Despite Nicholson’s performance, the Giants led 10-7 heading into the 8th inning. New York hurler Ace Adams opened the frame by walking the first two Chicago batters. Reliever Ewald Pyle entered the game and promptly walked his first batter to load the bases. Up came Nicholson representing the go-ahead run.

Giants player/manager Mel Ott made a bold yet sensible decision. Rather than give the fearsome slugger the chance to again dictate the outcome, Ott ordered Pyle to walk him. It was just the fourth time in MLB history that a man received an intentional pass with the sacks full.

Ott’s strategy worked as the Giants held on for the victory.

Nicholson had quite a season in ’44. He led the NL in homers, RBI, runs sored, and total bases. He finished second in extra-base hits, slugging percentage, and walks.

In MVP voting, Nicholson was edged by shortstop Marty Marion of the World Series champion Cardinals. Just one point in voting separated the two despite Nicholson’s significant advantage in WAR and clearly superior season.

The five-time All Star was must more than a one-year wonder. In 6,420 career plate appearances Nicholson’s OPS+ was 132. That’s the same as 8-time batting champion Tony Gwynn. It’s higher than Rod Carew, Wade Boggs, Dave Winfield, Eddie Murray, Carl Yastrzemski, and Roberto Clemente.

The Chicago right fielder’s 42.0 WAR ranks ahead of Hall of Famers Hack Wilson, Pie Traynor, and Roy Campanella as well as Cooperstown right fielders Harold Baines and Ross Youngs. The tally surpasses former Veterans Committee candidates Dave Parker, Roger Maris, and Gavvy Cravath.

Nicholson finished his big league career with 1,484 hits, 235 homers, and 948 RBI. Though his counting numbers provide reason for his omission from Cooperstown, Bill Nicholson was once one of the most respected and feared batters in the game.

In the collection is this government postcard signed by Nicholson on July 12, 1941.

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Shown here is the reverse of the government postcard signed by Nicholson. Such pieces are highly sought after because they help authenticate the autograph and give context to when and where it was signed.

Notice the postmark from Boston on July 12, 1941, just four days after Nicholson’s second straight All Star appearance. Near the postmark is a wartime message, “BUY DEFENSE WAR SAVINGS BONDS AND STAMPS”. A little under five months later Pearl Harbor was bombed and the US officially entered World War II.

The day before the postcard was dropped in the mail Nicholson’s Cubs played the Boston Braves. The lefty slugger had quite a game, going 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored.

Nicholson was responsible for the Cubs’ only runs in the 7-2 loss. In the 7th inning Nicholson tripled over the head of centerfielder Johnny Cooney to drive in the Cubs first run. The next batter grounded out to score Nicholson.

Though examples of Nicholson’s signature are by no means scarce, those from the WWII era are quite desirable.

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Baseball fans in the know recognize Bill Nicholson as one of baseball’s best from the 1940s. He became a full-time player the first year of the decade and made the All Star team in both ’40 and ’41.

Nicholson also received votes in MVP balloting in each of the decade’s first five years. His best years came in 1943 and 1944. In each of those campaigns he led the National League in home runs and runs batted in. He finished third in the MVP race in ’43 and second in ’42.

Shown here is an index card signed by Nicholson with an inscription noting his years leading the Senior Circuit in homers and RBI.

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The image above shows Nicholson’s 1941 Selective Service card. Used to classify a man’s eligibility for the military draft, it is addressed to Nicholson in care of the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Notice Nicholson “3A” classification. According to the Selective Service’s website, that’s the “Hardship Deferment”. The classification allows draft status to be, “Deferred from military service because service would cause hardship upon his family.”

While other ballplayers were away, Nicholson feasted on the depleted National League pitching staffs that remained. During the three-year period from 1942-1944, Nicholson had a 161 OPS+ and averaged 6.3 WAR per season. In ’43 he led the NL in homers and all of baseball in runs batted in. Then in 1944 he was even more dominant as the majors’ leader in homers, RBI, and total bases.

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Bill Nicholson was born and raised in Chestertown, Maryland. A three-sport star at Chestertown High School, Nicholson enrolled at local Washington College.

On the hardwood he was the team’s star guard. As fullback and kicker he led the football team to its only undefeated season.

Despite his performance in the two sports, his love was baseball. As centerfielder he led his school to a 12-1-1 record and the 1935 Maryland Intercollegiate Baseball League Championship.

In 1936 he began an 18-year professional baseball career that included 16 seasons in the bigs. Each offseason Nicholson faithfully returned to Chestertown.

When he retired from baseball, Nicholson had a pair of home run and RBI titles, and four All Star selections to his credit.

He earned votes in MVP balloting five seasons, and finished in the top three for the award in 1943 and 1944. With three 6.0 WAR campaigns, Nicholson’s career WAR stands at 41.9.

Nicholson’s career 132 OPS+ is equal to Cooperstown’s Tony Gwynn, Rafael Palmeiro, and one point higher than Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs. He left the game with 1,484 career hits, 235 dingers, and 948 RBI.

In 1962 the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame selected Nicholson for induction. Shown here is a letter from Sam Sibler, the chairman of the state’s Hall.

In the October 26, 1962 correspondence Sibler informs Nicholson that he’s joining Maryland natives Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, and Frank “Home Run” Baker, and Lefty Grove as members of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

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Bill Nicholson was born on his family’s farm Chestertown, Maryland on December 11, 1914. A three-sport athlete at Chestertown High School, he attended Washington College in Chestertown.

Nicholson led Washington’s football team to the only undefeated season in school history. In 1935 and ’36 he led the college’s baseball teams to the Maryland Intercollegiate Baseball League championships. The centerfielder hit .571 in his senior season and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

The Philadelphia Athletics signed him at the season’s end. Nicholson made his debut for Connie Mack on June 13th the same year.

For the next 18 years Nicholson made his living playing professional baseball. By the time his career ended, Nicholson tallied 1,924 hits, 355 doubles, and 301 homers in the minor and major leagues.

In 1953 Nicholson retired from the game and returned to his home in Chestertown where he remained the rest of his life.

The people of Chestertown never forgot the town’s greatest athlete. On November 9, 1991 Washington College had a hosted a testimonial dinner. Speakers honoring Nicholson included many baseball men Robin Roberts, Eddie Sawyer, Curt Simmons, Cal Ripken Sr., Andy Pafko, and Dallas Green.

A year later the Committee for Bill Nicholson Testimonial, Chestertown, Maryland erected a bronze statue of of their favorite son.

The inscription on the statue reads, “Born Chestertown, Kent County, Eastern Shore of Maryland, 1914. Graduate of Washington College 1936. Feared and respected outfielder with fine arm who played the national game of baseball with great determination. Led National League in home runs, RBI 1943, 1944, runner-up for MVP 1944. 235 career home runs, had 8 career grand slams, tied a major league record for four home runs in a doubleheader and four home runs in four consecutive times at bat. The accolade “Swish” began at storied Ebbetts Field, Brooklyn and spread to every ball park. Legend has it that only Bill Nicholson and Babe Ruth have ever been walked intentionally with the bases loaded. Country boy who worked hard to become a major leaguer and star, ever helpful to rookies. Retired here in 1953.”