Art Nichols

Arthur Francis Nichols
born Arthur Francis Meikle

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut September 16, 1898
• Final Game June 10, 1903
• Born July 14, 1871 in Manchester, NH USA
• Died August 9, 1945 in Willimantic, CT USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Art Nichols played six seasons in the big leagues and 15 in the minor leagues. Much of his time was spent in Waterbury, where he played eight seasons.

After playing several seasons in the minors, Art first came to the major league Chicago Orphans at the end of the 1898 season, a year in which he had hit .311 with the Springfield Ponies. He was again with the Chicago Orphans for a few games in 1899 and 1900. He then spent three seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, of which the best one was with the 1902 Cardinals, when he hit .267. Nichols had been exclusively a catcher with Chicago, but played almost as much outfield in 1901 and converted largely to a first baseman in 1902-03. After his major league days, he continued to play in the minors through age 41.

According to the SABR biography of Harry Wolverton, the two teammates collided on April 12, 1899 while chasing a fly ball. Nichols, the bigger one, walked off the field but Wolverton was hurt more seriously and missed more than two weeks of play.

This site [1] says that Art was one of five brothers who all played industrial ball. At least one brother played under the name Meikle.