William Beck Nicholson

William Beck Nicholson, known as “Swish,” was born in Chestertown in Kent County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 1914 and graduated from Washington College in 1936. A feared and respected outfielder with a fine arm, he played professional baseball with great determination for Philadelphia in the American League, for Chicago in the National League, and again for Philadelphia in the National League before retiring here in 1953. He led the National League in home runs and RBI in 1943 and 1944 and was runner-up for MVP in 1944. Over his career he hit 235 home runs, had 8 grand slams, tied a major league record with four home runs in a doubleheader and four home runs in four consecutive times at bat, and was said to be one of only two players, with Babe Ruth, ever intentionally walked with the bases loaded. The accolade “Swish” began at storied Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn and spread to ballparks everywhere, and he was remembered as a country boy who worked hard to become a major leaguer and star and was always helpful to rookies.

Chestertown, Maryland · United States