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193. Bill Nicholson

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193. Bill Nicholson
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 11, 1914 in Chestertown, MD USA
  • Weight: 205 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 13, 1936
  • Final Game: September 19, 1953
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1940
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1940
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1943
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1943
  • TSN All-Star - 1943
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1944
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1944
  • MVP - 1940
  • MVP - 1941
  • MVP - 1942
  • MVP - 1943
  • MVP - 1944
 
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Bill Nicholson had a coffee cup with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, but it was with the Chicago Cubs, a team he returned to 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 afterward to Philadelphia, where he finished his career playing five years in a bench role.

Nicholson exited the game with 235 career Home Runs.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Chestertown, Maryland, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Thursday, 01 January 1959
  • Position: Outfield
  • Played For: Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None) 
    All-Star (5) (1940, 1941, 1943, 1944 & 1945)
    Most Runs Scored (1) (NL) (1944)
    Most Total Bases (1) (NL) (1944)
    Most Home Runs (2) (NL) (1943 & 1944)
    Most Runs Batted In (2) (NL) (1943 & 1944)
    Most Times Hit by Pitch (1) (NL) (1942)
    Highest Win Probability Added (1) (NL) (1944)
    Most Putouts by a Rightfielder (4) (NL) (1941, 1942, 1943 & 1944)
    Most Assists by a Rightfielder (2) (NL) (1942 & 1944)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Rightfielder (1) (NL) (1946)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Rightfielder (2) (NL) (1941 & 1947)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by an Outfielder (1) (NL) (1947)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (NL: 1943, 3rd) & (NL:1944, 2nd)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Batting Average)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    3 Top Ten Finish (Runs Scored)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Singles)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 35. Putouts by a Rightfielder: 2,565
    43. Assists by a Rightfielder: 112
    76. Double Plays Turned by a Rightfielder: 21

    78. Intentional Walks: 121

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1960: 0.4%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Chicago Cub

Should Bill Nicholson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 33.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 33.3%
No way! - 33.3%

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