Tutored by his father, NL pitcher Chet Nichols, Sr., the younger Nichols went 11-8 with a league-best 2.88 ERA (156 innings) as a Braves rookie in 1951. Less effective after losing two years to military service, he won nine games in both 1954 and 1955 and was sent down. Arm troubles thwarted his comeback attempts, but he returned as a Red Sox reliever in the 1960s. He later became vice president of the Pawtucket Red Sox (International League). (JVM)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 20, 1951: Before 42,088 at Wrigley, Dutch Leonard wins a pair, beating the Braves, 4–3 and 5–4. Dutch tosses two innings in each game as the Cubs beat Chet Nichols and Vern Bickford. The Cubs are now a game back of the front-running Dodgers.
»September 24, 1951: The Giants score with two outs in the 9th inning to edge the Braves Chet Nichols, 4–3. Eddy Stanky drives home the winner with a single off 3B Sibby Sisti's glove Dave Koslo wins in relief.
»September 27, 1951:
Trying for his 23rd win, Preacher Roe loses just his 3rd game, 4–3, to Chet Nichols and the Braves. The Dodgers now lead New York by 1/2 game. Future Hall of Fame basketball player Bill Sharman becomes the only man in history to be thrown out of a ML baseball game without ever having played in one. With the score tied at 3-3 in the 8th inning, umpire Frank Dascoli clears the entire Brooklyn bench after a home plate call by him results in a violent protest. Sharman, up from St. Paul (AA) at the end of the season, is one of the players thrown out. Dascoli's safe call at home on Bob Addis's score results in the winning run.
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