Bill Nicholson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bill “Swish” Nicholson ended his 17-year Major League Baseball career in 1953, closing out one of the most memorable runs of the 1940s. Fans gave him his nickname because of that huge swing—he’d often miss, and the crowd would chant “Swish” every time he wound up for one of those dramatic practice cuts at the plate.

Nicholson left the game as a two-time National League home run and RBI leader, finishing up with the Philadelphia Phillies at age 38. The Maryland native racked up 235 home runs and 948 RBIs. Those stats tell the story of his peak years during World War II, but also the tough slide later on as his eyesight faded and diabetes set in.

If you look at Nicholson’s career, you’ll see how a guy known for swinging and missing somehow became one of baseball’s most feared sluggers during the war. His story has rare baseball moments, some eye-popping numbers, and the struggles that came with playing through declining health.

Who Was Bill Nicholson?

William Beck “Swish” Nicholson stood out as a powerful right fielder from Chestertown, Maryland. In the 1940s, he turned into one of baseball’s most recognizable sluggers.

He had this unique pre-swing ritual and a booming bat, making him a fan favorite on three teams during his 16-year career.

Early Life and Background

William Beck Nicholson was born on December 11, 1914, in Chestertown, Maryland. He grew up right there on the Eastern Shore, and he actually returned to that same town after his playing days.

In his hometown, Nicholson sharpened his athletic skills. His natural ability and work ethic stood out early on.

Nicholson was 6 feet tall and weighed 205 pounds, so he cut an imposing figure. That physicality later became a big part of his intimidating stance at the plate.

He never really lost touch with his Maryland roots. Even after stints in big cities like Chicago and Philly, Chestertown always called him back.

Education and Washington College

Nicholson went to Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, where he kept building his baseball skills. The small liberal arts school gave him a chance to play ball and get an education.

Washington College played a big role on his road to the majors. He worked on his hitting there and set himself up for a pro career.

His time at the college shaped him as a disciplined player. That balance of school and sports prepared him for what was coming in pro baseball.

Nickname and Personality

Fans started calling him “Swish” because of his pre-pitch routine and that huge swing. He’d take a few practice cuts, ending with his bat pointed straight at the pitcher.

Crowds would join in, chanting “Swish” with every practice swing. That little ritual followed him everywhere, from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to ballparks across the country.

The nickname also fit his habit of swinging hard and missing. Sure, he struck out plenty, but when he connected, the ball traveled.

Even though he looked intimidating at the plate, Nicholson helped out younger teammates whenever he could. He kept those small-town values, earning respect as a hardworking country guy who made it big.

Major League Career Overview

Bill Nicholson played pro baseball for 16 seasons between 1936 and 1953. He made his name as a power hitter, mostly in right field.

His career spanned three teams, and he really shined during the World War II era, when he became one of the National League’s top sluggers.

Teams and Timeline

Nicholson started out with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936 as a rookie. That stint was short, just a taste of the big leagues.

The Chicago Cubs picked him up in 1939, and he stayed there through 1948. Those nine years were his best, and he became a fan favorite at Wrigley Field.

He closed out his career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1949 to 1953. Those last five seasons saw him shift from everyday starter to more of a veteran presence.

Team	Years	Seasons
Philadelphia Athletics	1936	1
Chicago Cubs	1939-1948	10
Philadelphia Phillies	1949-1953	5

Major Positions Played

Nicholson mostly played right field. He had a strong arm and handled the position well. Sometimes, he filled in at left field when the team needed him.

At 6 feet and 205 pounds, he fit the mold of a corner outfielder in that era. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, which gave his teams some extra options in the field.

The outfield let him focus on hitting. His steady glove in right field added to his value, but it was his bat that really made teams want him.

Notable Teammates and Managers

During his run with the Cubs, Nicholson played with some big names from the 1940s. Phil Cavarretta, who later managed the Cubs, stands out as one of his best-known teammates.

Nicholson was there during the Cubs’ competitive stretch in the mid-1940s. The roster had a solid core that kept the team in the hunt during the war years.

When he moved to the Phillies, he joined teams that were building toward their early 1950s success. Nicholson brought veteran leadership, helping younger players as he wound down his career.

Peak Performance Years

Bill Nicholson hit his stride in the 1940s with the Chicago Cubs. He won two home run titles and two RBI crowns.

His best seasons—1943 and 1944—made him one of the league’s most feared hitters. He picked up five All-Star nods and came close to winning the MVP twice.

Home Run Achievements

Nicholson led the National League in home runs twice. In 1943, he launched 29 home runs for his first title.

A year later, he smashed 33 home runs to repeat as the NL leader. That 1944 season, he also led the league in total bases with 317 and scored 116 runs.

He finished with 235 career home runs over 16 seasons. Most of his power numbers came during his Cubs years.

NL RBI Leader Seasons

Nicholson topped the league in RBIs in both 1943 and 1944. He drove in 128 runs in 1943, leading the NL, and followed it up with 122 RBIs the next year.

Those two RBI crowns lined up with his home run titles. He was one of the league’s most reliable run producers.

The Cubs leaned on his bat during those years. Nicholson wrapped up his career with 948 RBIs in 1,677 games.

All-Star Selections

Nicholson made the All-Star team five times between 1940 and 1945. His first came in 1940 after he became a regular with the Cubs.

He got back to the All-Star Game in 1941, then made it three straight years from 1943 to 1945. Those picks matched up with his best seasons.

His last All-Star appearance in 1945 helped the Cubs reach the World Series. Nicholson’s power made him a regular pick for the National League squad during the 1940s.

MVP Voting and Accolades

Nicholson finished third in NL MVP voting in 1943, behind Stan Musial and Walker Cooper. That year, he hit .309 with 29 homers and 128 RBIs.

In 1944, he came even closer—losing the MVP by just one vote to Marty Marion. With 33 home runs and 122 RBIs, he nearly took home the trophy.

One wild moment happened in July 1944. Nicholson got an intentional walk with the bases loaded, making him one of just seven players in major league history to see that happen. The walk came after he’d hit four straight home runs in a doubleheader.

Signature Moments and Records

Bill Nicholson’s career had its share of historic moments, including one of baseball’s rarest situations and a World Series record that stuck around for a long time.

His biggest performances came in the 1940s, when he was one of the league’s top power hitters.

Intentional Walk with Bases Loaded

On July 23, 1944, Nicholson made baseball history during a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds. After hitting four straight home runs in the two games, he came up in the eighth inning of the second game with the bases loaded.

The New York Giants decided to intentionally walk him, forcing in a run but stopping him from hitting another homer.

Rare Company: Only seven players in major league history have received an intentional walk with the bases loaded. That’s a pretty exclusive group.

The Cubs lost that game 12-10, but the intentional walk showed just how much other teams respected Nicholson’s power at his peak.

World Series Appearances

Nicholson played in the 1945 World Series when the Cubs took on the Detroit Tigers. Chicago lost in seven games, but Nicholson set a record that lasted for years.

He drove in eight runs during the series, which became the record for most RBIs in a seven-game World Series. His .214 average didn’t really show how much he contributed.

Health Challenges: By 1945, Nicholson’s eyesight was going, and it affected his regular season. He hit just .243 with 13 homers that year.

In 1950, he was part of the Phillies’ “Whiz Kids” team that made the World Series, but diabetes kept him from playing against the Yankees.

Memorable Games and Milestones

Nicholson’s best individual years were 1943 and 1944. In 1943, he led the National League with 29 home runs and 128 RBIs, batting .309.

His 1944 season was even bigger. He led the league in:

• Home runs: 33
• RBIs: 122
• Runs scored: 116
• Total bases: 317

MVP Recognition: He finished third in MVP voting in 1943 and lost by just one vote in 1944.

Nicholson hardly ever grounded into double plays—once every 90.7 at-bats. That made him one of the hardest players to double up in history.

He ended his career with eight pinch-hit home runs, still showing off his power even in limited chances late in his career.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Bill Nicholson put up strong numbers in his 16 seasons, ending with a .268 batting average, 235 home runs, and 948 RBIs in 1,677 games.

His 42.0 WAR shows just how valuable he was, especially during his best years with the Cubs.

Batting Average and Hitting Records

Nicholson’s .268 career average points to steady production at the plate. His best years were in the early 1940s, when he often hit above .290.

In 1943, he hit a career-high .309 and picked up 188 hits, driving in 128 runs to lead the league.

Career Hitting Highlights:

• 1,484 career hits in 5,546 at-bats
• 235 home runs, peaking with 33 in 1944
• 948 RBIs, with back-to-back 120+ RBI seasons (1943-1944)

His most productive stretch ran from 1943 to 1944, when he finished third and second in MVP voting. He combined power hitting with solid contact, posting OPS+ numbers of 166 and 162.

Wins Above Replacement (WAR) Analysis

Nicholson put up 42.0 WAR in his career, showing just how valuable he was as a well-rounded player.

He hit his peak WAR in 1943 with 6.7, and he wasn’t far off with 6.0 in both 1942 and 1944.

Most of his WAR came during his time with the Chicago Cubs, from 1939 to 1948.

He tallied 38.5 WAR over 10 seasons with the Cubs, while he managed just 3.9 WAR during five years in Philadelphia.

Those numbers reflect more than just his offense—they show his defensive skills in the outfield too.

The metrics back up his steady, above-average production during his best years.

If you adjust for schedule length and position, his WAR bumps up to 42.9.

That puts him among the stronger performers of his era, honestly.

Slugging and On-Base Performance

Nicholson’s power really stood out with a .465 career slugging percentage and a .365 on-base percentage.

His combined .830 OPS was 32% better than league average (132 OPS+), which is nothing to sneeze at.

He slugged his best in the mid-1940s, hitting .545 in 1944 and .531 in 1943.

Those years, he really showed off his ability to drive the ball, piling up 317 total bases in 1944.

Power Numbers:

• .465 career slugging percentage
• 272 doubles and 60 triples along with 235 home runs
• 2,581 total bases over 16 seasons

Nicholson drew 800 walks and struck out 828 times, which shows he had a decent eye at the plate.

His .365 OBP benefited from a patient approach, especially with the Cubs, where he averaged 77 walks per 162 games.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Bill Nicholson wrapped up his 16-year Major League career in 1953 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He moved from pro baseball to life on his farm in Chestertown, Maryland.

His later years brought some health struggles, but the local community recognized his contributions to the sport.

Final Season and Transition

The 1953 season closed the book on Nicholson’s time in professional baseball.

He spent that year mostly as a pinch-hitter for the Phillies.

That role was a big shift from his All-Star years with the Cubs.

Nicholson finished with eight pinch-hit homers.

He was one of the toughest guys to double up, hitting into a double play just once every 90.7 at-bats.

Health problems really influenced his decision to retire.

In 1950, doctors diagnosed him with diabetes, which caused him to lose weight and strength.

That condition kept him out of the World Series with the “Whiz Kids” against the Yankees.

After baseball, Nicholson went back to Chestertown, Maryland.

He settled on a farm near his hometown, where he’d attended Washington College before going pro.

Contributions Post-Retirement

After stepping away from baseball, Nicholson focused on his farm and the local community.

People in Kent County respected him, seeing him as both a local hero and a baseball legend.

He kept strong ties with Washington College.

The college inducted him into their Hall of Fame on October 9, 1981.

Nicholson’s legacy in his hometown was about more than just baseball.

He showed what someone from Chestertown could accomplish, having grown up there and gone to the local college before making it big.

He spent his later years away from the public eye.

Unlike some ex-players who went into coaching or broadcasting, Nicholson preferred a quieter life on his Maryland farm.

Recognition in Baseball History

People started recognizing Nicholson’s unique place in baseball history long after he retired. He joined a pretty exclusive group—only seven players in major league history have ever received an intentional walk with the bases loaded. That puts him alongside legends like Nap Lajoie and Barry Bonds.

His 1944 season stands out in the record books. That year, he led the National League in home runs with 33, drove in 122 runs, scored 116 times, and racked up 317 total bases.

The story behind his intentional walk almost feels like a baseball myth. On July 23, 1944, after he smashed four home runs in a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the opposing team intentionally walked him with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of the second game.

Take a look at Nicholson’s career statistics: 235 home runs, 948 RBIs, and 1,677 games played. Five All-Star selections and two National League home run titles really made him stand out among the top players of the 1940s.