Nick Etten

Nick Etten was in total disbelief in January 1943. He learned that he’d been traded from the Philadelphia Phillies – the NL’s cellar-dweller – to baseball’s powerhouse: the New York Yankees. Ecstatically, Etten proclaimed, “Imagine a man in that environment hearing that he had been sold to the Yankees!”1

Since Lou Gehrig’s career had tragically ended in 1939, the Yankees had used multiple first basemen.2 After they acquired Etten, he anchored the post for three seasons (1943-1945). During that stint, he was a pennant winner, World Series champion, home run king, RBI leader, and MVP contender. He wasn’t the highest-paid Yankee, but his contract in 1945 did make him the highest-paid first baseman in the majors.3

Etten’s offense declined in 1946; he was out of the majors by mid-May 1947. However, he played on in the minors for three-plus years (1947-1950).

***

Nicholas Raymond Thomas Etten was born on September 19, 1913, in Spring Grove, Illinois, south of Chicago. He was the third of five children — four brothers and one sister — born to Joseph and Gertrude (Sheusen) Etten. Both parents’ schooling ended after fifth grade. Joseph, the son of a German immigrant, became a factory worker, hog buyer, janitor, and business owner. Gertrude, as a toddler, had immigrated with her parents from Germany to Chicago. She was an office worker at age 17.4

Etten grew up in Spring Grove and went to St. Rita High School.”5 He starred in baseball (at first base), basketball (at center), and football (at right end), graduating in 1930.6 He attended Villanova College (later University) in Philadelphia in 1931-32. In 1932, Etten got a scholarship from the Wildcats to play football. Head coach Harry Stuhldreher, one of Notre Dame’s famous “Four Horsemen,” had figured he might be a big help to the team. However, Etten got homesick after one game and went home.7

In 1933, Etten signed his first baseball contract with the Davenport (Iowa) Blue Sox of the Class B Mississippi Valley League.8 A left-handed batter and thrower, he played left field and was considered to have one of the finest arms in the league.9 The NL’s Pittsburgh Pirates bought his contract for somewhere between $2,000 and $3,500 on August 20, 1933. Etten, 19, was “a reputed heavy hitter” and his addition was “expected to bolster the slumping Buc offense.”10

In late March 1934, Etten was one of six Pirates rookies to attend training camp in Paso Robles, California.11 He came to camp as an outfielder, but the Bucs put him back at his high school position, first base.12 He spent the 1934 season with the Pirates’ Class A affiliate, the Little Rock (Arkansas) Travelers, of the Southern Association. But at Little Rock, first base was occupied, so he was moved back to the outfield. His season ended prematurely on August 26 after a severe attack of tonsillitis.13

In 1935, Etten played in three Class A circuits:

• The Southern Association: He began the season in Birmingham (Alabama) and was described as “a powerful fellow who is pretty lively on his feet.”14 But he was frequently baffled by off-speed pitches. His batting average plummeted, and he was returned to Pittsburgh.15
• The Texas League: On June 4, the Oklahoma City Indians purchased Etten on option.16 He played in three games but was released on June 14.17
• The New York-Penn League: The next day, Elmira obtained Etten.18 He batted .284 with 14 doubles, but disappointed—criticized as “a dead right field batter.” Slow stuff kept him off-balance.19

In 1936, Etten was on the team roster of the Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Barons of the NYPL. In January, Pirates President William Benswanger asked Barons Vice President Harold Meyer whether he wanted Etten. Meyer did, saying that Etten’s “a great boy and will help us loads… Nick’s a normal .330 hitter.”20 Etten was with the Barons on option from Pittsburgh in late April. But he pulled some muscles in his legs.21 On May 6, he was recalled by Pittsburgh.22

Etten resumed play in 1936 with the Savannah (Georgia) Indians of the Class B South Atlantic (Sally) League. He was the right fielder for the Sally League All-Star Team.23 The Pirates picked up their option on Etten on September 22.24 However, one week before Christmas, he was released outright to Savannah in a cash sale.25

In 1937, Etten led Savannah with 21 homers and posted a .922 OPS. After trying out at first base with the Atlanta Crackers in spring 1938,26 Etten was traded by Savannah to a Sally League rival, the Jacksonville Tars.27  He led Jacksonville in seven offensive categories, even though he hit just two home runs. Further, in 521 at bats, Etten essentially led the Tars in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS, while only teammate Bob Smith’s numbers, in a mere 10 at bats, were higher.

At Jacksonville, Etten was again put back at first base. He wasn’t on a fast track to the big leagues, and many scouts were concerned about his speed limitations in the outfield. Florida Times-Union sports editor Sam Butz, who was friendly with Etten, is credited for convincing him – correctly – that he would do better as a first baseman.28 At the plate, Etten also had to master hitting off-speed deliveries. So, he enlisted the help of Tars teammate Hugh Todd, who taught Etten how to hit to all fields.29

By September, Etten was in the majors. On August 28, he was purchased by the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League from the Atlanta Crackers. Crackers president Earl Mann explained, “We claimed Etten and at the same time sold him to Philadelphia. … As soon as Jacksonville can let him go, he will report to Connie Mack.”30

Etten debuted with the A’s on September 8, 1938. In 22 games, he hit .259 without a home run, knocking in 11. At season’s end, Etten was characterized as “an unknown quantity as a big leaguer. However, he has the size [6-feet-2 and 198 pounds] and is a most powerful athlete.”31

Ahead of the 1939 season, Etten’s hitting drew a Babe Ruth comparison.32 However, he started with the Baltimore Orioles of the Class AA International League (IL). He played in one game for the O’s, then Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis intervened and dictated his return to the A’s, since Etten had maxed out his options.33 Athletics first baseman Dick Siebert had sustained an arm injury, so Mack inserted his understudy, Etten, at first base.

Etten “slammed out timely hits in the early weeks of the season”34 but fell into a lengthy slump.35 Consequently, after he’d played in 43 games, the Orioles (then unaffiliated) reacquired Etten’s contract. On July 1, he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs.36 By mid-July he could hit his nemesis, the slow ball, then he began thriving on it.37 He finished with a .299 batting average and 14 homers, buoying an .875 OPS.

On December 28, Etten married Helen Patricia Conway in Illinois.38 They had one daughter (Patricia) and three sons (Nicholas Jr., Thomas, and John). The couple stayed together for more than 50 years until Nick’s death.

Prior to the start of the 1940 season, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Etten from Baltimore, their new IL affiliate. The deal was part of a working agreement. With Baltimore in 1940, Etten blasted 24 home runs and led the IL in RBIs with 126.39 The sale from the A’s to the O’s had been a blow to Etten, but his defensive skills at first base were still lacking. He was determined to get better, and soon “he was doing everything around the bag the way it should be done.” His improvement was noticed; there was agreement that “he was a real classy first sacker and ready for the majors.”40

On August 31, Baltimore sold Etten and pitcher Tommy Hughes to the Phillies.41 The Phils paid $20,000 for the pair.42  Following the season, Etten registered for the military draft in Chicago.43

In 1941, Etten joined the Phillies. The Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph opined that he appeared “very likely to oust Art Mahan from first base.”44 He did. As late as August 24, Etten was hitting .334, leading the NL.45 His hitting philosophy: “Just step up there and swing, don’t think.”46 Etten compiled a .311/.405/.454 slash line and had an offensive WAR of 4.9 – but committed a league-leading 23 errors at first base. Philly infield partner Danny Murtaugh once moaned, “Nick, I think there are a few balls being hit down there that you should make an effort to reach.” Etten replied, “Son, they pay Ol’ Nick to hit…you can’t hit, so you catch all those balls, and I’ll knock in the runs for both of us.”47

In February 1942, Phillies owner Jerry Nugent had reportedly twice been offered $40,000 each for Etten and outfielder Danny Litwhiler but rejected all the offers. The report said, “Etten is held to be one of the best first sackers in the National League.”48 But Etten’s offense shrank in 1942. His batting average fell 47 points; his home run and RBI totals nosedived to eight and 41, respectively.

In December 1942, with World War II in full swing, Etten was one of 13 Phillies employed in a war plant job as a defense worker.49 Philadelphia had lost a greater number of players to war jobs and the service than any other team in the NL. His draft status was 3-A.50

On January 22, 1943 came the initial news that the Phillies had traded Etten to the Yankees for pitcher Al Gettel, outfielder Ed Levy, and $10,000 in cash. Etten was acquired to replace an earlier Gehrig heir-apparent, Buddy Hassett, who joined the military in December 1942.

However, Phillies ownership was changing. One potential ownership group demanded that the Etten trade be voided.51  Plus, neither Levy nor Gettel returned to play in 1943—the former entered the service, and the latter went back to his farm – further complicating the transaction.52  

Nonetheless, Etten reported to the Yankees on March 23, although the deal was still tentative – Commissioner Landis was studying the matter. Etten lamented, “It would be terrible if I had to go back. I have signed a Yankee contract and I am a Yankee.”53

The trade was reworked. The Phillies gave up all claim to Etten on March 25.54 Both Gettel and Levy were sent back to the Yankees on March 26. New York then sent catcher Tom Padden and pitcher Al Gerheauser to complete the transaction. Now officially a Yankee, Etten wore uniform number five, temporarily vacated by center fielder Joe DiMaggio while he was in the service.

New York sportswriter Dan Daniel observed on March 27, “There has been more to do over Etten than there was when the New York club got Babe Ruth from the Red Sox.” He quickly noted, however, “this is not going to make it very easy for Etten.”55

Indeed, Etten started slowly in 1943. As of June 5, he was batting .239, in a 1-for-16 slump, with 19 RBIs and no homers. But in the first game of a June 6 doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns at Yankee Stadium, he modified his batting stance. He “flexed his knees and went into a crouch with his face toward the pitcher.” As the pitch was delivered, he straightened up and swung as hard as he could.56 He finished the day with six hits, four RBIs, and his first homer. He then began hitting .300-plus.57

On July 30, one headline proclaimed, “Etten Rated Nearest Gehrig—Nick Is Best of Seven Tried at First Base Since Lou Retired.”58 Sportswriter Will Wedge added, “In size, and … in general appearance, Big Nick most clearly approximates the late Columbia Lou.”59

Several days later, Etten himself said, “Lou Gehrig was my idol above all. … I was pressing a little when I moved up to his old spot … Do I think I can crack any homerun records? I’m sure going to try … But my prime ambition isn’t personal records … it’s a desire to cut in on some of that World Series dough! I’ve never been on a pennant-winning team in my life!”60

On August 9, Harman Nichols wrote “he’s been left-handing it out of the park all season… and his work at first base has been something above satisfactory—even though Yankees fans still remember Lou Gehrig.”61 As of August 16, Etten’s most recent 14 hits were nine doubles and five home runs.62 He finished the regular season with a slash line of .271/.355/.420.  

The Yankees clinched the AL pennant on September 25. One week previously, the St. Louis Cardinals had done the same in the NL. On September 15, with each club holding a very comfortable lead, baseball gamblers gave 6-5 odds on the Yankees to win the 1943 Fall Classic. However, “the ‘smart money’ boys regard[ed] Etten as the big question mark of the classic.”63

Unfortunately, Etten’s performance in the only postseason action of his career lived down to that view. His bat was torpid: two singles in 19 at-bats (.105). In the field, he committed only one error, but it came on an egregious lapse that drew harsh criticism from the press corps. Leading off the fifth inning of Game One, Ray Sanders grounded to second baseman Joe Gordon. Etten assumed that the throw to him beat Sanders, so he started to throw the ball to catcher Bill Dickey – but first base umpire Beans Reardon ruled Sanders safe. Before Etten could stop his throw, the ball left his grip, hit the ground, and rolled away. Dickey scrambled and prevented it from going into the dugout. Meanwhile, Sanders advanced to second base; he later scored the tying run.64

Fortunately for Etten, the Yankees scored two in the sixth and went ahead to stay. Postgame, a pensive Etten made no excuses for his blunder and said it taught him a lesson.65 The Yankees won the Series in five games. But in his Game One writeup, Hugh Fullerton, Jr. opined, “it was a good bet that they’ll spend part of the winter looking for another first baseman.”66 Yet when Yankees training camp rolled around in 1944, Etten was back – the only returning regular of their 1943 infield.

In early May, Etten and St. Louis Cardinal Stan Musial were leading their respective leagues in batting average. It was cautioned, however, that both might be “wanted by Uncle Sam before the season ends.”67 On May 5, Etten went 3-for-3 with a homer, lifting his average to .488, best in the majors.68 Utah sportswriter Glen Perkins quipped, “put a ball player in a Yankee uniform… and he’ll do all right.”69

Inevitably, Etten’s bat cooled in June, dipping into the .250’s a couple of times. In mid-July, his average was .262. But as the pennant race heated up, so did his hitting – and he also shined in the field. After a 12-inning win on September 9 over the Boston Red Sox, Perkins wrote, “Nick Etten turned in a fancy bit of fielding to save the day at first and made a lightning throw to the plate to nab George Metkovich with what would have been the tying run.”70 As play ended that day, the Yankees were clinging to a lead of half a game over Detroit and one game over the St. Louis Browns.

Etten helped keep the Yankees in the race as late as September 26. That day he hit his final home run of the season in a 9-5 win over the White Sox. Etten’s 22 homers topped the AL, and he had 91 RBIs. He received a league leading 97 walks – 19 of them intentional. His slash line was .293/.399/.466. It was a solid year but good enough only to finish a distant 23rd in MVP voting. The Yankees finished third while the Browns won their only pennant.

On April 1, 1945 came news that Etten “had signed a contract after an amiable conference with [Yankees] President Larry MacPhail.”71 The salary was believed to be around $16,000.72 WWII had not yet ended, though, and a few days later, it was reported that Etten’s Chicago draft board had reclassified his status to 1-A.”73 However, in late May it was ruled that men 30 years of age and older would be deferred indefinitely from military service. This was “a boon to all major league baseball teams”74 – and to Etten, who was by then 31.

As late as June 12, Etten was hitting .344 and battling for the AL’s top spot in that category with Tony Cuccinello of the White Sox.75  At season’s end, that mark had subsided to .285, but Etten led the league with 111 RBIs. The Yankees finished an unfamiliar fourth.

The postwar 1946 Yankees were preparing to reclaim their former glory with the returns of Dickey, DiMaggio, second baseman Joe Gordon, and shortstop Phil Rizzuto. Etten would be competing to keep his first base job with four other candidates: Hassett, Walter Nowak, Steve (Bud) Souchock, and Johnny Sturm.76 As January ended, Etten hadn’t signed his contract, saying he “was not dissatisfied…but wanted ‘to talk things over’ before signing.”77 A week later, Etten signed; terms were not announced.78

On April 25, it was reported that Etten appeared to have the first base job “cinched.”79 That came in the middle of a five-game burst that lifted his average over .300. In early May, Tom Meany wrote that Etten was “the best first sacker the Yankees have had since Gehrig’s day,” while noting both men’s self-effacing nature.80 In a 12-6 win over the Tigers on May 23, DiMaggio, Etten, and Gordon hit back-to-back-to-back homers, tying what was then the big-league record.81

However, Etten’s batting fortunes reversed. In an 8-3 loss to the Tigers on June 11, Johnny Lindell started at first; Etten sat, ending a streak of 513 consecutive games played. By mid-July, Etten was hitting .233 and being benched often. The trade deadline had passed, so he’d finish the 1946 season in New York, but his return in 1947 was looking unlikely.82

MacPhail and manager Joe McCarthy had preordained Etten’s fate during spring training in 1946, concluding that he “wasn’t exactly what a Yankee first baseman should be.” They mulled trading him even-up for Phil Cavarretta of the Chicago Cubs or the Washington Senators’ Mickey Vernon, but couldn’t complete a deal for either.83

Before season’s end, MacPhail declared, “The club needs to be strengthened in all departments.”84 In September, future Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra made his debut. A roster overhaul seemed imminent. Texas sportswriter Lawton Carver asked, “What will be the fate of the Yankee stars during the off season?” – pondering Etten’s destiny in the same sentence as DiMaggio’s and Rizzuto’s.85

Etten appeared in 108 games in 1946. His home run and RBI production tanked to nine and 49, respectively. His slash line of .232/.315/.365 was his worst as a Yankee. New York finished a distant third, trailing the Red Sox by 17 games.

At a press conference on January 21, 1947, MacPhail rhetorically asked, “What first baseman in the American League would you deal [Etten] for?” Three days previously, the Tigers had sold veteran Hank Greenberg to Pittsburgh. MacPhail speculated, “If we had got Greenberg, we might have alternated him at first with Etten.” He added, “[Etten] waves at a ground ball on occasion. But he is a good target to throw at and comes up with some neat fielding plays. He has a lifetime batting average of .294…We have no intention of letting Nick go.”86

In March, new skipper Bucky Harris predicted that Etten could club 25 homers and drive in a lot of runs. Harris suggested that the first base job was Etten’s to win or lose. Etten was also a popular teammate and had the full support of the Yankees clubhouse in winning that spot.87

In early April, however, Harris declared, “My first base problem is solved. Tommy Henrich will definitely be on first with the veteran George McQuinn in reserve.”88 As it developed, though, McQuinn was on first, with 25-year-old Jack Phillips in reserve, and Henrich in the outfield. Etten contended to Harris “that he had not been given a fair chance to make the team.”89 His argument was in vain.

On April 14, 1947, the day before the season started, Etten went back to the Phillies, “snapped up for a reputed $10,000.”90 He had hoped to negotiate a better deal with the White Sox.91 Instead, he played in just 14 games for the Phils, with one home run. Bobby Bragan, a teammate with the Phillies, listened to the club’s notoriously merciless fans heckle Etten on the night he returned to Philadelphia. “These are cruel people here,” Bragan said, pointing to the grandstand.”92

On May 12, Etten was returned to the Yankees, who assigned him outright to the Newark Bears of the now-Triple-A International League.93 He hit a miserable .214, then Newark returned him to the Yankees. It was reported on August 11 that Etten had signed with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League, managed by Casey Stengel.94  Etten finished the 1947 season with the Oaks and returned to Oakland for the 1948 season.

In February 1948, Oakland sportswriter Emmons Byrne wrote that 1947 was “rough” for Etten. His salary demands had angered MacPhail (he was paid $13,500). Etten, however, said, “If you can’t play in the majors, this (Oakland) is the best place to play.”95 Though strong, none of his marks led the PCL (43 homers, 155 RBIs, and a .313 average in 164 games), but Etten echoed what he said when he was traded to the Yankees: “We won the pennant…who cares about individual records?”96

On December 13, the Milwaukee Brewers of the Triple-A American Association bought Etten’s contract for a reported $12,500.97 He had another solid year in 1949 for the Boston Braves affiliate (.280-20-82) in 148 games).

That December, Etten signed as a free agent with the Memphis Chickasaws of the Class AA Southern Association, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.98 The following March, Tennessee sportswriter Walter Stewart wrote that Etten was a “fount of thunderous power.”99 His veteran presence and time with the Yankees earned high praise from Chicks manager Al Todd, who called Etten “a real inspiration to the kids (on the team).”100

In mid-August, despite raking at a .331 clip, Etten – by then 36 – conceded that he was “getting too old.” He declared, “I’m through after this one (the 1950 season).”101

In 1951, Etten returned to his hometown, Chicago. He had rejected an offer to manage the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, a White Sox farm club in the Class A Western League,102 He chose instead to pursue business interests in Chicago.103 Twenty years later, in 1971, Etten was co-owner of the Carroll Construction Company.104

On August 11, 1973, Etten and Mickey Mantle played in a Yankees Old-Timers Game. In the bottom of the first inning, Etten bounced a ground-rule double into the seats, then Mantle followed with a blast off Whitey Ford, 15 rows deep into the left field stands.105

In 1979, Etten, 66, said he would “always cherish his years with the Yankees, a real class organization. As an alumnus, many doors in the business world have been opened to me, for which I am grateful.”106 Etten is also in the Chicago Sports and Catholic League Halls of Fame.107

Following a lengthy illness, Nick Etten died at home in Hinsdale, Illinois, on October 18, 1990, at 77.108 He was survived by his wife, children, and 14 grandchildren.109 Helen died in Hinsdale in 1995. She was interred alongside Nick at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, in Hillside, Cook County, Illinois.110

Acknowledgments

This biography was reviewed by Rory Costello and Bill Lamb and fact-checked by Dan Schoenholz.

Photo credit: Nick Etten, Trading Card Database.

Sources

Unless cited in the endnotes, all other minor and major league statistics, and related data and information, came from Baseball-almanac.com, Baseball-reference.com, and SABR.org.

Notes

1 Mike Shatzkin, ed., The Ballplayers—Baseball’s Ultimate Biographical Reference (New York: Arbor House—William Morrow, 1990), 315.

2 Will Wedge, “Etten rated nearest Gehrig,” National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) player file clipping, July 30, 1943.

3 “Nick Etten’s $15,500 salary current high for 1 ST sacker,” NBHOF player file clipping, April 10, 1945.

4 Nick Etten family tree, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/184055519/family?cfpid=312393671599

5 Sports obituary, NBHOF player file clipping, November 18, 1990: 52.

6 Kenan Heise, “Nick Etten, 77; former Yankee first baseman,” Chicago Tribune, October 21, 1990 (https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/10/20/nick-etten-77-former-yankee-first-baseman/).

7 “Break for team, too,” The Sporting News, New York, New York, May 11, 1944: 2.

8 Sports obituary, NBHOF player file clipping, November 19, 1990: 52.

9 “Pirates purchase Valley Loop star,” Decatur (Illinois) Daily Review, August 26, 1933: 17.

10“Here and there in sports land,” New Castle (Pennsylvania) News, August 21, 1933: 10.

11 “Pirates hope for better pitching during pennant race—Lavagetto chief rookie,” Belvidere (Illinois) Daily Republican, March 28, 1934: 6.

12 “Pebs land new player from Bucs—Nick Etten sent to Little Rock by Pittsburgh…,” Knoxville (Tennessee) News-Sentinel, March 29, 1934: 13.

13 “Etten out for season,” Chattanooga (Tennessee) Daily Times, August 27, 1934: 8

14 “Villanova lad Elmira’s hope this season—Nick Etten, Elmira’s best in ’33, sold to Pirates,” Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Times Leader, July 16, 1935: 15.

15 “Slow stuff stopped him,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 7, 1935: 48.

16 “Indians purchase Etten from Pirates,” Cushing (Oklahoma) Daily Citizen, June 4, 1935: 5.

17 “Indians face shakeup as they close road jaunt … need outfielder,” (Oklahoma City) Oklahoma News, June 14, 1935: 7.

18 “Along sport lane,” Hazelton Standard-Speaker, June 15, 1935: 19.

19 “Day’s sporting news and views,” Hazelton (Pennsylvania)  Plain Speaker, July 25, 1935: 12.

20 “Day’s Sporting news and views—paragraph eight,” Hazelton Plain Speaker, January 28, 1936: 10.

21 “…Wilkes-Barre Barons to open season today…Etten may not start,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, April 29, 1936: 22.

22 “Barons get new player from South…–Etten goes to Pirate(s),” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, May 6, 1936: 24.

23 Milton Miller, “et ceteras –and—postscripts…pick-ups,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, September 11, 1936: 24.

24 Miller, “A well-earned rest,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, September 22, 1936: 27.

25 Ed Kennedy, “Sports shorts…paragraph eight,” Uniontown (Pennsylvania) Morning Herald, December 18, 1936: 17.

26 “Etten to get trial at first base post,” Miami Daily News, March 6, 1938: 24.

27 “Crackers recall seven,” Palm Beach (Florida) Post, August 28, 1938: 15.

28 “Nick Etten success due to sport scribe,” Stillwater (Oklahoma) Daily Press, August 13, 1941: 4.

29 Gene Thompson, “Looking at sports,” Bristol (Tennessee) Herald Courier, May 12, 1957: 17.

30 “Seven rookies recalled by Atlanta team,” Dothan (Alabama) Eagle, August 28, 1938: 9.

31 “Connie Mack confident coming year will see improved club,” Sandusky (Ohio) Register, September 22, 1938: 6.

32Bill Braucher, “Decided improvement brings optimistic note from Mack—expect big things of rookie Lillard,” Ada (Oklahoma) Evening News, April 11, 1939: 8

33 “Nick Etten in and out again at Baltimore…Saved by Judge Landis,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, April 24, 1939: 13.

34 Ted Meier, “Athletics had to gamble with Etten: he made good,” Miami (Oklahoma) News-Record, June 4, 1939: 4.

35 “Nick Etten sold to Baltimore by A’s,” Cumberland (Maryland) Evening Times, June 15, 1939: 19.

36 “Orioles defeat old jinx, Bears, in 14—4 victory,” Buffalo Times, July 2, 1939: 37.

37 Charley Bailey, “Here’s how! —and why…some bunts and bingles,” Buffalo Times, July 14, 1939: 17.

38 Nick Etten family tree, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/184055519/person/312393671599/facts

39 “Howell crowned batting champ,” Long Branch (New Jersey) Daily Record, September 21, 1940: 7.

40 “Phils obtain Hughes, Ashley boy, Etten and Wilson, former Barons,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, September 2, 1940: 12.

41 “Phils buy Infielder and two pitchers,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 1, 1940: 11.

42 “Hargett at Auburn,” (Russellville, Alabama) Franklin County Times, October 17, 1940: 7.

43 Nick Etten family tree, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/184055519/person/312393671599/facts

44 “1941 diamond duels: 7,” Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, February 1, 1941: 7.

45“Nick Etten tops National hitters,” Monroe (Louisiana) Morning World, August 24, 1941: 9.

46 “Thinking won’t help average…so says Phils’ Nick Etten,” Rocky Mount (North Carolina) Telegram, August 13, 1941: 6.

47 Rich Westcott, Tales from the Philadelphia Phillies Dugout—a Collection of the Greatest Phillies Stories Ever Told, (New York: Sports Publishing, 2003, 2006, 2012), 39-40.

48Ray Townsend, “Scant hope for Phillies,” Collyer’s Eye and The Baseball World (Chicago) February 7, 1942; 3.

49 Oscar Fraley, “Majors puzzled over status of players in war plant work,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 21, 1942: 13.

50 “Yankees buy Nick Etten to bolster club…,” Streator (Illinois) Times, January 23, 1943: 7.

51 Harold Parrott, “Syndicate would kill Melton deal…,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 11, 1943: 17.

52 “Yankees get Nick Etten,” Uniontown Morning Herald, March 27, 1943: 8.

53 “First basemen offer study in viewpoints—Nick Etten…,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 23, 1943: 13.

54“Yankees keeping Etten, try Lindell in outfield,” Brooklyn Citizen, March 26, 1943: 6.

55 Dan Daniel, “Daniel’s Dope,” NBHOF player file clipping, March 27, 1943.

56 Harman W. Nichols, “Nick Etten … ask opposing managers,” Danville (Pennsylvania) News, August 10, 1943: 5.

57 Harry Grayson, “Etten…to become star with Yankees,” Mount Carmel (Pennsylvania) Item, September 21, 1943: 7.

58 Wedge, “Etten rated nearest Gehrig.”

59 Wedge, “Etten rated nearest Gehrig.”

60 Jeane Hofmann, “Stadium air healthy for Etten,” NBHOF player file clipping, August 5, 1943.

61  Nichols, “Nick Etten … ask opposing managers.”

62 “Nick hits ‘em far,” Manhattan (Kansas) Morning Chronicle, August 17, 1943: 3.

63 Jack Cuddy, “Sports parade,” Brainerd (Minnesota) Dispatch, September 15, 1943: 8.

64 Ted Meier, “World Series notes,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, October 7, 1943: 7.

65 Ted Meier, “Cooper came within inch of losing game,” Hope (Arkansas) Star, October 7, 1943: 5.

66 Hugh Fullerton, Jr., “Sports roundup,” Hazelton Plain Speaker, October 6, 1943: 8.

67 “Etten, Musial lead major league batters,” Tampa (Florida) Times, May 2, 1944: 10.

68 “Nick Etten paces major league hitters, Ogden (Utah) Herald -Journal, May 6, 1944: 7.

69 Glen Perkins, “Etten achieves stardom with Yankees,” Ogden Herald-Journal, May 6, 1944: 7.

70 Perkins, “Bombers take lead again as Brownie’s lose,” Franklin News-Herald, September 9, 1944: 7.

71 Tommy Holmes, “Etten signs as Yanks nip BoSox, 15-14,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 1, 1945: 20.

72 “Nick Etten signs with Yanks,” Sedalia (Missouri) Democrat, April 1, 1945: 10.

73 “Etten of Yanks reclassified I-A by draft board,” Brooklyn Citizen, April 4, 1945: 6.

74 Walter Byers, “Draft ruling eases tension in the majors,” Duncan (Oklahoma) Banner, May 23, 1945: 2.

75 Milton Richman, “Tom Holmes keeps up his batting pace,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 17, 1945: 14.

76 “Yanks face problem at first base,” Big Spring (Texas) Daily Herald, January 15, 1946: 12.

77 “Nick Etten insists he’s not hold-out,” McCook (Nebraska) Daily Gazette, January 30, 1946: 5.

78 “Nick Etten ends holdout, agrees to Yankee terms,” Nashville (Tennessee) Banner, February 7, 1946: 21.

79 “Hassett may not stay with Yanks,” Newport (Vermont) Daily Express, April 25, 1946: 4.

80 Tom Meany, “Big headlines elude Nick, but he continues to stick…,” The Sporting News, May 9, 1946: 7.

81 “Newhouser to hurl tonight,” Traverse City (Michigan) Record, May 24, 1946: 8.

82 “Yank shake-up due…to ‘win or else,’” Miami News, July 16, 1946: 12.

83 Tommy Holmes, “Strange shortage of first basemen,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 17, 1946: 13.

84 Harry Grayson, “Yankee roster shakeup due at end of season,” Salt Lake (Utah) Telegram, September 7, 1946: 9.

85 Lawton Carver, “Fair or foul,” McKinney (Texas) Courier-Gazette, September 12, 1946: 3.

86 Harold C. Burr, “MacPhail has kind words for Etten,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 22, 1947: 17.

87Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 9, 1947: 25.

88 Frank Eck, “Yanks are called weak but Bucky likes ‘em,” Canandaigua (New York) Daily Messenger, April 3, 1947: 2.

89 “Nick Etten protests,” Waco (Texas) News-Tribune, April 3, 1947: 12

90 Bill Goodrich, “Yankees sold on McQuinn, trade Etten, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 15, 1947: 15.

91 “Veteran is displeased,” Times, NBHOF player file clipping, April 1947.

92 Herald Tribune News Service, “Philadelphia’s fan apathy has no baseball precedent,” Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil, August 7, 1954: 5.

93 “Yanks ship Nick Etten,” Chattanooga Daily Times, May 15, 1947: 17.

94 “Etten making debut in Coast League,” Rushville (Indiana) Republican, August 11, 1947: 5.

95 Emmons Byrne, “The bullpen,” Oakland Tribune, February 27, 1948: 31.

96 Emmons Byrne, “Acorns had team effort,” Oakland Tribune, November 28, 1948: 28.

97 “Oakland peddles star Nick Etten, Chico (California) Enterprise-Record, December 13, 1948: 10.

98 “Nick Etten signs,” (Bowling Green, Kentucky) Park City News Daily News, December 11, 1949: 16.

99 Walter Stewart, “Todd to present ‘new’ team to Memphis fans,” Nashville Banner, March 17, 1950: 37.

100 Leo Soroka, “Memphis ‘Chicks’ have $67,000 prize package,” Johnson City (Tennessee) Press, April 5, 1950: 26.

101 “Final year for Chicks’ Etten,” Nashville Banner, August 15, 1950: 19.

102 “Etten signs to manage Cole Lenzis,” (Chicago) Daily Calumet (Chicago, Illinois), May 8, 1951: 6.

103 “Nick Etten pilots, plays with semi-pro team,” (Chicago) Suburbanite Economist, May 16, 1951.

104 “Ex-St. Rita students in annual banquet,” Suburbanite Economist, February 21, 1971: 55.

105 “Houk’s Yanks blank Casey,” Ottawa (Ontario) Journal (Ottawa, August 13, 1973: 14.

106“Where are they now?” Yankees Scorebook, 3 rd edition, 1979, NBHOF player file clipping.

107 Kenan Heise, Chicago Tribune, October 21, 1990, NBHOF player file clipping.

108 Sports-page obituary, NBHOF player file clipping.

109 Kenan Heise, Chicago Tribune, October 21, 1990, NBHOF player file clipping.

110 Etten family tree, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/86106759