Donald Leigh Nicholas (October 30, 1930 — October 23, 2007) was an American professional baseball player who played from 1948 to 1959. Initially a shortstop in minor league baseball, then an outfielder, Nicholas received two brief trials in the Major Leagues with the 1952 and 1954 Chicago White Sox as a pinch hitter and pinch runner. The native of Phoenix, Arizona, batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall and weighed 150 pounds (68 kg).
Nicholas originally signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a successful base stealer during his minor league career, surpassing the 30-stolen-base mark at least three times during his career.[1] Purchased by the White Sox after the 1951 minor league season, Nicholas made his MLB debut on April 16, 1952, when he pinch ran for Eddie Robinson in a 1–0 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians.[2] The following day, he pinch hit for pitcher Howie Judson and was retired by Mike Garcia.[3] Four days later, he batted for Hal Brown and bounced out to St. Louis Browns pitcher Ned Garver.[4] After spending the rest of 1952 and all of 1953 in the White Sox' farm system, Nicholas made Chicago's opening day roster in 1954. He pinch hit once (and received a base on balls) and scored three runs, but was sent to the Triple-A Havana Sugar Kings at the May cutdown date and played the rest of his career in the minors.
References
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
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