Boog Powell
One of the most popular players the Baltimore Orioles ever had, Boog Powell won the 1970 American League Most Valuable Player Award. A big, muscular, fun-loving team leader, Powell solidified the middle of the O's lineup for more than a decade with his power from the left side of the plate. He hit 20 or more homers nine times in his productive career, and proved to be both patient and clutch.
Played For
Baltimore Orioles (1961-1974)
Cleveland Indians (1975-1976)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1977)
All-Time Rankings
Boog Powell ranks #34 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1970
Not only did Boog win the MVP Award based on his .297 average, 35 homers, 114 RBI, and 104 walks, but he came up large in the post-season as well. He hit a homer and drove in six runs while batting .429 in the playoffs, and added two more homers and five RBI in the World Series.
Born
John Wesley Powell was born on August 17, 1941, in Lakeland, FL.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: BAL
Major League Debut
September 26, 1961
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1961
Carl Yastrzemski
Lou Brock
Boog Powell
Jim Fregosi
Sam McDowell
Dean Chance
Al Downing
Bill Freehan
Eddie Brinkman
Similar Players
Norm Cash, Jim Thome
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1983 |
BBWAA |
5 |
1.3% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1966 World Series
1969 American League Championship Series
1969 World Series
1970 American League Championship Series
1970 World Series
1971 American League Championship Series
1971 World Series
1973 American League Championship Series
1974 American League Championship Series
Awards and Honors
1970 AL MVP
Batting Feats
- August 10, 1963: 3 HR...
- June 27, 1964: 3 HR...
- August 15, 1966: 3 HR...
Notes
Powell had a much higher slugging percentage on the road during his career: .479 compared to .426 at home, which was mostly Baltimore's Memorial Stadium.
Hitting Streaks
18 games (1969)
Transactions
Before 1959 Season: Signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent; February 25, 1975: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Don Hood to the Cleveland Indians for Dave Duncan and Al McGrew (minors); March 30, 1977: Released by the Cleveland Indians; April 5, 1977: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers; August 31, 1977: Released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
All-Star Selections
1968 AL
1969 AL
1970 AL
1971 AL
Replaced
Powell was originally a left fielder, and he replaced a myriad of Orioles out there, including Russ Snyder and Dick Williams (yes, that Dick Williams). Eventually, in 1965, Powell supplanted Norm Siebern at first base.
Replaced By
In 1976, Boog Powell was the Cleveland Indians first baseman despite being 34 and severely overweight. It was a good thing his friend Frank Robinson was the manager. The following spring, Boog was released at the tail-end of spring training, and the Tribe replaced him with Andre Thornton.
Best Strength as a Player
Power
Largest Weakness as a Player
Running speed
Learn More about Boog Powell
Search Amazon.com for Books about Boog Powell ⇒
Search for Boog Powell at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
