Bill Nicholson had a cup of coffee with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, but it was with the Chicago Cubs, a team he returned to the Majors with in 1939, where he became a star in baseball.

Nicholson was an All-Star in both 1940 and 1941, as the Cubs’ starting Rightfielder, and his powerful swing (he was nicknamed "Swish") generated fear from National League Pitchers.  Nicholson belted at least 20 or more Home Runs annually from 1940 to 1944, and in those last two seasons, he was the NL leader in Home Runs and Runs Batted In.

Nicholson did not receive full credit during his two Home Run Title years (1943 & 1944) as World War II had taken many baseball players away from the game.  Nevertheless, he was the leader in those metrics, which are the sexiest in Baseball.  

In 1945, he was injured for most of the year but still helped the Cubs win the National League Pennant.  He returned to have two more good power years (26 and 19 HR, respectively), but Nicholson was traded to Philadelphia afterward, where he finished his career over five years in a bench role.

Nicholson exited the game with 235 career Home Runs.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Houston Astros had put together a good team, but they did not see much national attention, as they had never won anything of note before.  Those who were paying attention to Houston couldn’t take their eyes off their Puerto Rican Outfielder, Jose Cruz.

Cruz played his first five seasons in St. Louis, but he never had a 100 Hit season with the Cards.  A trade to Houston in 1975 changed his fortunes, and Cruz was their starting Left Fielder from 1976 to 1986.  With the Astros, Cruz was a two-time All-Star, and he showed a sweet combination of hitting, power, speed, and defensive skill.

Cruz would have five .300 seasons, and while his 165 career home runs are not head-turning, they are more than respectable.  He would have seven 20 Stolen Base years, and while he never won a Gold Glove, Cruz had three top-ten finishes in Total Zone Runs, and he was in the top two among National League Leftfielders in that stat in seven different seasons.  The MVP voters knew that Cruz was very good, as he was third in balloting in 1980, sixth in 1983, and eighth in 1984.

After one final season in 1988 as a New York Yankee, Cruz retired with 2,251 Hits and 288 Stolen Bases.

Cy Williams entered Notre Dame, having only played in a handful of baseball games.  He left them as an accomplished player whom the Chicago Cubs signed after he finished school. 

Williams joined the Cubs right away (1912), and a few years later, he was a regular in the Outfield.  Williams won the Home Run Title in 1916 (12), but he was a defensive liability and was viewed as expendable.  He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1918, and it turned out to be a lopsided transaction in the Phillies' favor.  

The Baker Bowl, where the Phillies played, fit the strength of Williams, and as the ball started flying out of the park in the 1920s, he was one of those who perfected the art of the long ball.  Williams led the NL in Home Runs in 1920 (15), 1923 (41), and 1927 (30), and he was also the leader in Slugging in 1926 (.568).  Williams would also have six .300 seasons for Philadelphia. 

At the time of his retirement in 1930, Williams was the all-time Home Run leader in the National League (251).  

Frank Viola was a star Pitcher known for his stint with the Minnesota Twins, where his work there made him a legend in the state.