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Bill Swish Nicholson 1950 Philadelphia Phillies Whiz Kids Autographed Signed ONL Baseball COA DECEASED

~~Single signed baseball by former 1950 Philadelphia Phillie "Whiz Kid"...Bill "Swish" Nicholson.

Bill began his career in 1936 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He played for the Athletics 1936, Chicago Cubs 1939-48 and Philadelphia Phillies 1949-53.  During his career, he played in 1,677 games and pounded out 1,484 hits (including 272 doubles, 60 triples and 235 HR's) in 5,546 at bats for a .268 career batting average.  Bill, whose nickname was "Swish", drew 800 walks, batted in 948 runs and scored 837 runs.  Bill was a member of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies "Whiz Kids".  Bill signed the sweet spot of this ONL Leonard S. Coleman baseball with a blue ballpoint pen and he also inscribed, "Swish", on the ball to note his nickname.

THIS BALL IS NOT PERFECT AS THERE ARE SEVERAL TONING SPOTS ON THE BALL.  EITHER WAY, IT SHOULD WORK WELL IN YOUR COLLECTION UNTIL YOU CAN UPGRADE IT WITH A NM-MINT ONE DOWN THE ROAD.  BILL QUIT SIGNING A LONG TIME AGO.

Tri-Star Tamper Proof Sticker # 7145755

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...

William Beck "Swish" Nicholson (December 11, 1914 – March 8, 1996) was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics (1936), Chicago Cubs (1939–1948) and Philadelphia Phillies (1949–1953). A native of Chestertown, Maryland, where he attended Washington College, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

In 1944, Nicholson received an intentional walk with the bases loaded. He is listed as one of only six players in major league history to do it. The others are Abner Dalrymple (1881), Nap Lajoie (1901), Del Bissonette (1928), Barry Bonds (1998) and Josh Hamilton (2008).

Career

In a 16-year career, Nicholson posted a .268 batting average with 235 home runs and 948 RBI in 1677 games.

Nicknamed "Swish" because of his mighty swing, which often missed the ball, Nicholson twice led the National League in home runs and RBI. He played briefly in the American League for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936, then spent two years in the minors before joining the Chicago Cubs in 1939.

Nicholson became a regular with the Cubs in 1940. His most productive season came in 1943, when he hit .309 with a league-leading 29 home runs and 128 RBI. He finished 3rd in the NL MVP Award vote behind Stan Musial and Walker Cooper.

In 1944, Nicholson slipped to .287, but he again led the NL in home runs (33), RBI (122) and runs (116). In the same season, after hitting four consecutive homers in a July 23 doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, he came to bat with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of the second game, and was intentionally walked. Obviously, that forced in a run, but the Cubs couldn't score again and the Giants won the game, 12–10. This time, he lost the MVP honors by one vote to Marty Marion.

Although Nicholson helped the Cubs to the 1945 pennant, his failing eyesight resulted in a slip in production. He hit only .243 with 13 home runs and 88 RBI in the regular season, and batted just .214 with eight RBI in Chicago's seven-game loss to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

In 1949, Nicholson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he became a part-time player and frequent pinch-hitter. The next season, after he became weak and lost weight, it was disclosed that Nicholson was diabetic. He was unable to play in the World Series with his "Whiz Kids" teammates against the Yankees. Well respected as one of the toughest men to double up, Nicholson hit into double plays only once every 90.7 at-bats. He finished his career in 1953 with eight pinch homers.

Bill Nicholson died in Chestertown, Maryland, at age of 81.What you see is what you get...this is the actual baseball that you are bidding on.

Lifetime guarantee in regards to this autographed baseball which also comes with a COA from Tri-Star Productions.  Brought to you by Gearhart Enterprises, Inc. Member of the UACC. UACC Registered Dealer #RD189.