Jack Powell
A stocky right-hander, Jack Powell gained a reputation as a hard-luck pitcher, which was deserved. Among 200-game winners, Powell's teams' won/loss percentage ranks third lowest in history (.461). In 1906, Powell had a sterling 1.77 ERA, but was able to post just a 13-14 record, and in ten years with the Browns, he had a 2.63 ERA, but was rewarded with a 117-143 record. Despite never pitching for a first-place club, the side-arming hurler won 245 games while completing more than 80% of his starts.
Played For
Cleveland Spiders (1897-1898)
St. Louis Cardinals (1899-1901)
St. Louis Browns (1902-1903)
New York Yankees (1904-1905)
St. Louis Browns (1905-1912)
Best Season: 1904
In his first season with the Highlanders, Powell was a workhorse, logging more than 390 innings as he completed 38 of his 45 starts. He had a 2.44 ERA, won 23 games, and threw three shutouts. His fine season was overshadowed by the efforts of teammate Jack Chesbro, who set a modern record with 41 victories.
Where He Played
Though saves weren't actually recorded in his time, Powell would have led the league in saves each season from 1901-1903. For those three years he racked up a wopping six saves.
Born
John Joseph Powell was born on July 9, 1874, in Bloomington, IL.
Died
October 17, 1944, Chicago, IL
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: SLA
Major League Debut
June 23, 1897
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1897
Coming soon...
Nicknames
Red
Similar Players
Eppa Rixey
Related Players
Cy Young was Powell's teammate in Cleveland in 1897-1898, and in 1899-1900 in St. Louis, after several Cleveland players jumped to the Cardinals... Powell and former batterymate Jack O'Connor ran a saloon together in St. Louis for several years.
Transactions
Before 1902 Season: Jumped from the St. Louis Cardinals to the St. Louis Browns; January, 1904: Traded by the St. Louis Browns to the New York Highlanders for Harry Howell; September 1, 1905: Purchased by the St. Louis Browns from the New York Highlanders.
Powell was traded straight up for pitcher Harry Howell in January of 1904, but the two later formed a solid duo on the Browns, after Powell was re-acquired in 1905. The two combined for 117 wins from 1905-1910.
Matchup Data
Ty Cobb considered Powell one of the toughest right-handers he ever faced (though Cobb still managed a .343 mark against him).
Replaced By
Left-hander "Zeke" Weilman, in 1912-1913.
Best Strength as a Player
Durability. Powell's easy, sidearm delivery put little strain on his arm.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Luck — not only did Powell pitch for losing teams, but he also suffered from poor run support.
Learn More about Jack Powell
Search Amazon.com for Books about Jack Powell ⇒
Search for Jack Powell at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
