Major League Baseball Player. The left-handed-hitting outfielder twice led the National League in home runs with 29 in 1943 and 33 in 1944. He also set the NL pace in runs batted in with 128 in 1943 and 122 in 1944 and in runs scored with 116 in 1944. He made his big-league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, going hitless in 11 at-bats. He was with the Cubs from 1939-52 and played in the All-Star Game in 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1944. He finished second to St. Louis shortstop Marty Marion by one vote for the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1944. That year, after belting four consecutive homers in a July 23 doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded in the seventh inning on orders from Giants manager Mel Ott (New York managed to win 12-10). Nicholson drove in eight runs in a losing cause during the 1945 World Series. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on October 4, 1948 for outfielder Harry Walker. Dodgers fans gave him his nickname for his lusty swings, especially at third strikes. In 1947 Nicholson led the NL in strikeouts with 83, considered high in those days. The 6-foot, 205-pound slugger set several major-league home run records, but all have since been broken. He finished his 16-year career with a .268 batting average, 235 homers and 948 runs batted in.
Major League Baseball Player. The left-handed-hitting outfielder twice led the National League in home runs with 29 in 1943 and 33 in 1944. He also set the NL pace in runs batted in with 128 in 1943 and 122 in 1944 and in runs scored with 116 in 1944. He made his big-league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, going hitless in 11 at-bats. He was with the Cubs from 1939-52 and played in the All-Star Game in 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1944. He finished second to St. Louis shortstop Marty Marion by one vote for the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1944. That year, after belting four consecutive homers in a July 23 doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded in the seventh inning on orders from Giants manager Mel Ott (New York managed to win 12-10). Nicholson drove in eight runs in a losing cause during the 1945 World Series. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on October 4, 1948 for outfielder Harry Walker. Dodgers fans gave him his nickname for his lusty swings, especially at third strikes. In 1947 Nicholson led the NL in strikeouts with 83, considered high in those days. The 6-foot, 205-pound slugger set several major-league home run records, but all have since been broken. He finished his 16-year career with a .268 batting average, 235 homers and 948 runs batted in.
Bio by: Ron Coons
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Major League Baseball Player 1936 - 1953
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