Boog Powell first came on to the
national baseball scene when he played in the
1954 Little League World Series. Now, Boog was a
pitcher then, and in those days they had no
limits on how often kids could pitch. Boog had
pitched in eleven games in only a few weeks, and
by the time the title game came around, he was
worn out. He gave up 16 runs and took the loss.
By the time he made it to the
Major Leagues in 1961, he'd become an everyday
player, and soon developed into one of the most
feared hitters in the American League. It was his
good fortune to play on Earl Weaver's Baltimore
Orioles teams wit players such as Brooks Robinson
and Jim Palmer.
After falling to the Miracle Mets
in 1969, Baltimore made it back to the series in
1970, led by Boog's 35 home runs and 114 RBI. He
hit two more dingers in the series, and Baltimore
brought home the World Championship. For his
stellar play, Powell was rewarded with the MVP.
Boog Powell played a total of 17
years in the big leagues, fourteen of those with
Baltimore. Today he operates a barbecue stand at
Camden Yards. One of the most beloved Orioles, he
says he still signs about 500 autographs a night.
John Wesley "Boog" Powell