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Víc Power
From BR Bullpen
born Víctor Felipe Pellot Pove
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 195 lb.
- Debut April 13, 1954
- Final Game October 3, 1965
- Born November 1, 1927 in Arecibo, P.R.
- Died November 29, 2005 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
[edit] Biographical Information
Vic Power played twelve years in the big leagues, almost all in the American League. In addition to a career major league average of .284 and 126 home runs, he also won seven Gold Gloves (and might have won more but the award was only started partway through his career). In 1955 he was second in the league in batting.
One of the flashiest, best fielding, and most colorful first sackers in history, Power once stole home twice in one game.[1] He was a free swinger who seldom walked or struck out, and finished his career with a highly respectable lifetime batting average of .284. During his career in the United States (major league and minor leagues), he was known as "Vic Power."
Once, while going into a restaurant in Syracuse in 1951, Power was told, "I'm sorry, we don't serve colored people here." "That's OK," he unflappably replied, "I don't eat colored people. I just want rice and beans" [2] At other times, Power has claimed the incident took place in Little Rock, AR.
Originally signed by the Yankees, dating a white girl reportedly earned him a quick exit from their organization.
Once got out of a jam on the basepaths by running directly towards the fielder running with the ball, while waving his arms in the air. Flustered him enough so he threw the ball to someone else instead of tagging Power.
The book Playing America's Game says that an 18-year-old Power played in Canada's Provincial League in 1949.
The following year he led that league in batting and then went to Syracuse to play in the New York Yankees organization in 1951. The year after that he was with the minor league Kansas City team. In 1953 he led the league in batting.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 4-time AL All-Star (1955, 1956, 1959 & 1960)
- 7-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1958-1964)
- AL Triples Leader (1958)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1959)
