World Series Game 1 (Boog Powell Homers To Opposite Field!)

John Wesley “Boog” Powell (August 17, 1941-) led the International League in home run sin 1961 prior to joining the Baltimore Orioles and went on to become the Orioles career home run leader at the time of his retirement. Though Powell began his career as a slow-footed outfielder, he achieved his greatest success at first base and at the plate as one half of the Orioles one-two punch with Frank Robinson. He led the American League in 1964 in slugging percentage and was named to four AL All-Star teams. Powell helped lead the Orioles to four World Series from 1966 to 1971 capturing the 1966 and 1970 championships. In 1969, Boog enjoyed his best season as he batted .304 with 162 hits including 37 home runs and drove in 121 runs. He played 17 seasons in the Majors, primarily at first base, with the Orioles (1961-1974), the Cleveland Indians (1975-1976) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1977). Boog hit 20 or more home runs in nine seasons including four with 30 or more. IN 1970, as Powell led Baltimore to their second World Series title in five years, he earned the AL Most Valuable Player Award after batting .297 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI. For as big of a man as Powell was, at 6’4” and 230 lbs., he displayed exceptional ability stretch and dig balls out of the dirt at first base, posting a .991 career fielding percentage. Boog Powell finished his career with a .266 career batting average with 1,776 hits including 270 doubles and 339 home runs, scored 889 runs and drove in 1,187 runs over 17 seasons.