Baseball Primer Newsblog— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand
Wednesday, March 08, 2023
Former Major League Baseball outfielder Dave Nicholson has died, according to reports.
He was 83.
Nicholson began his Major League career with the Baltimore Orioles and played for them during the 1960 and 1962 seasons. He also had stints with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros before wrapping up his career in 1967 with the Atlanta Braves.
Nicholson batted just .212 with 61 home runs and 179 RBIs in his career, but was reportedly known for hitting monstrous home runs when he did connect. That reportedly included a 573-foot blast over the left-field roof of Comiskey Park.
|
Reader Comments and Retorts
Go to end of page
Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
1. Rally Posted: March 08, 2023 at 01:44 PM (#6119948)how did the obit not mention his classic nickname of "Swish?"
175 K in 520 PA in 1963 was shocking for that era. in fact, it was the all-time MLB record until HOMer Bobby Bonds broke it 6 years later. Swish once whiffed seven times in a doubleheader - not sure that has ever been matched.
Edit - Coke to Howie.
Makes sense of a nickname for Dave, but I don’t know if he was called that.
I was looking at his record and wondering why in the world the Astros would pick him up to play in their cavernous park but, sure enough, 7 of his 10 HRs were at home. In fairness to the Astros, it was only year 2 of the Dome so maybe they were testing if it was possible for anybody to hit HRs there.
I wouldn't put much stock in 573 feet but even onto the LF roof at old Comiskey would be a prodigious blast.
No evidence at b-r or wiki that he was ever called Swish. I agree this is a shame and possibly marks the tipping point at which all civilization began to collapse.
Edit: Also somewhat surprising, Mark Reynolds record has now lasted 14 years.
You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.
<< Back to main