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amead17 · 10-19-2025, 03:11 AM

KID NICHOLS CALLS TIME ON LEGENDARY CAREER

Veteran Cubs Pitcher Retires After 17 Seasons and 390 Victories

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
October 17, 1906

Baseball bade farewell to one of its true greats today as Kid Nichols, the masterful right-hander whose arm dominated the 1890s, announced his retirement from the game. The 37-year-old pitcher leaves the Chicago Cubs — and the sport — after a career that few can hope to match.

Nichols first took the mound for the Boston Beaneaters in 1890 as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and immediately established himself as one of the premier pitchers of his era. He won 27 games in his debut season and went on to become the cornerstone of Boston’s rotation for the next decade, never once winning fewer than 20 games in a season and topping 30 victories seven times.

As the new century dawned, Nichols’ once unhittable stuff began to lose some of its edge. He continued to battle through, but after a series of testing campaigns, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1902. The change of scenery rekindled his spark, and in 1904, he recorded 22 wins while helping lead Chicago to the National League pennant — a fitting late-career triumph.

Nichols’ career closes with an astonishing 390 victories, 235 losses, and a 2.94 earned run average. He also struck out 2,055 batters, and his win total places him second all-time behind only Cy Young. In 1904, he finished second in voting for the National League Pitcher of the Year award.

Reflecting on his remarkable career, Nichols was both humble and grateful.

“Baseball has given me more than I could ever have asked for,” Nichols said quietly. “From the first day I took the mound in Boston to my last in Chicago, I’ve been lucky to play this game I love. I’ve faced great hitters, played alongside fine men, and seen the game grow beyond what any of us imagined. Now it’s time for me to step aside and see what comes next.”

While Nichols’ playing days are over, his name will long remain etched among the sport’s immortals — a model of consistency, endurance, and excellence from baseball’s formative years.

10-19-2025, 03:11 AM	#243
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,275	Kid Nichols A Legend KID NICHOLS CALLS TIME ON LEGENDARY CAREER Veteran Cubs Pitcher Retires After 17 Seasons and 390 Victories By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times October 17, 1906 Baseball bade farewell to one of its true greats today as Kid Nichols, the masterful right-hander whose arm dominated the 1890s, announced his retirement from the game. The 37-year-old pitcher leaves the Chicago Cubs — and the sport — after a career that few can hope to match. Nichols first took the mound for the Boston Beaneaters in 1890 as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and immediately established himself as one of the premier pitchers of his era. He won 27 games in his debut season and went on to become the cornerstone of Boston’s rotation for the next decade, never once winning fewer than 20 games in a season and topping 30 victories seven times. As the new century dawned, Nichols’ once unhittable stuff began to lose some of its edge. He continued to battle through, but after a series of testing campaigns, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1902. The change of scenery rekindled his spark, and in 1904, he recorded 22 wins while helping lead Chicago to the National League pennant — a fitting late-career triumph. Nichols’ career closes with an astonishing 390 victories, 235 losses, and a 2.94 earned run average. He also struck out 2,055 batters, and his win total places him second all-time behind only Cy Young. In 1904, he finished second in voting for the National League Pitcher of the Year award. Reflecting on his remarkable career, Nichols was both humble and grateful. “Baseball has given me more than I could ever have asked for,” Nichols said quietly. “From the first day I took the mound in Boston to my last in Chicago, I’ve been lucky to play this game I love. I’ve faced great hitters, played alongside fine men, and seen the game grow beyond what any of us imagined. Now it’s time for me to step aside and see what comes next.” While Nichols’ playing days are over, his name will long remain etched among the sport’s immortals — a model of consistency, endurance, and excellence from baseball’s formative years.