Charles A. "Kid" Nichols
Kansas City, MO, September 15, 1952
Kid Nichols Writes to Baseball NL Pres. about Hall of Famer Pension Fantastic Content
TLS

CHARLES A. ?KID? NICHOLS, Typed Letter Signed, to Warren C. Giles, September 15, 1952, Kansas City, Missouri. 1 p., 8.5" x 10.75". With National League date and time receipt stamp in top margin. Expected folds; residue from previously removed photograph in lower corner; very good. With MGA and PSA/DNA letters of authenticity.

In this heartfelt letter, the incredible pitcher Kid Nichols writes to National League President Warren C. Giles about a pension or bonus for National League veterans who had been elected to the Hall of Fame. He mentioned having spoken with former managing legend Connie Mack (1862-1956), who managed more than 7,750 games in his 56-year managing career. At a Hall of Fame night in Cincinnati, Mack had assured Nichols that League President Giles would take care of it. Nichols said two things had given him the most pride in his career?being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and ?the fact I never was removed from a game for a relief hurler.? A month after writing this letter, Nichols was admitted to a hospital in Kansas City with a neck complaint but would not submit to the doctor-ordered tests until after the seventh game of the World Series ended. He died of cancer fewer than six months later in April 1953.

Excerpts
?When I was in Cincinnati in July, I had a talk with Connie Mack regarding a bonus or pension for some of us old National League players who have made the Hall of Fame.
?Connie Mack said that he had taken the matter of a bonus or pension for me up with you. Just before he left town, he called me over and said that you would take care of it.
?It has been one of the finest things that ever happened to me ? the honor of being placed in the Hall of Fame ? whether it does or does not bring into me any compensation to take care of me in future.
?As you will note from the enclosed Associated Press Wirephoto, I have just passed my 83rd birthday yesterday. My daughter, who appears with me in this picture, lost her husband less than two years ago and I should like to be in a position where I can be absolutely self-supporting.?

Charles A. ?Kid? Nichols (1869-1953) was born in Wisconsin and moved with his family to Kansas City, Missouri, as a child. Before he was eighteen years old, he was playing in the minor leagues as a right-handed pitcher. He signed with the Boston Beaneaters in September 1889 and joined the major leagues with them in 1890. Because of his youthful appearance, players and fans called him ?Kid,? a nickname that stuck. He ended his rookie season with a 27?19 win?loss record, beginning a string of ten consecutive seasons with twenty or more wins. He also had a major league record seven seasons with thirty or more wins between 1891 and 1898. The Beaneaters won five pennant races between 1891 and 1898. After the 1901 season, he left the Beaneaters to manage and pitch for the Kansas City Blue Stockings, in which he also held a financial interest. He won a total of 48 games for them in 1902 and 1903. After two years off, he joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1904, where for the eleventh time, he had more than twenty wins in a season. He finished his major league career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1906. He retired with 362 wins, 208 losses, and a 2.96 ERA. After baseball, he dabbled in the motion picture industry and opened bowling alleys in the Kansas City area. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in June 1949.

Warren C. Giles (1896-1979) was born in Illinois, attended Washington & Lee University, and served as an infantry officer in France during World War I. He was elected president of a minor league baseball team in Illinois in 1919, beginning a fifty-year career in baseball. He joined the St. Louis Cardinals organization and served as president and business manager of their farm teams from 1926 to 1936. In the latter year, he became general manager of the Cincinnati Reds, a position he held from 1937 to 1951. In October 1951, he became the president of the National League, a position he held until retiring in 1969. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame shortly after his death in 1979.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.
8.5" x 10.75"