Power was a stylish, exuberant, showboating first baseman who won seven Gold Gloves.
The righthander made all catches one-handed with a wide, sweeping motion. He frequently
led AL first basemen in every fielding category. After leading the
American Association
with a .349 BA in 1953, the black Puerto Rican joined
Elston Howard as the first
black players on the Yankees' roster, but Power was traded to the Athletics before
the season began. A good contact hitter, he batted over .300 three times in his dozen
ML seasons. Although not a big basestealer, he stole home twice in one game against
Detroit in 1958.
A quick-witted wisecracker, he was once arrested for jaywalking
in the South. "I thought the `Don't Walk' sign was for whites only," he told the judge.
"I've seen so many of those signs in this town."
(NLM)
Vic Power
