November 29, 2005
Vic Power Passes
Former first baseman Vic Power is no longer with us.
Power died of cancer Tuesday in a hospital in this suburb of San Juan, said his sister, Carmen Pellot Power.
Power achieved a rare feat in 1958, stealing home twice in a game when he played for the Cleveland Indians. He had only three steals all season.
Power did not live up to his name, slugging just .411 for his career. That's why you see stolen bases and a gold glove as his career highlights. He's noted for being one of the first Hispanic players in the game, although there were a few white Cubans before Power. I think it's safe to say Vic was one of the first Hispanics that didn't look white.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Posted by David Pinto at
11:38 AM
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First, I want to send my condolences to his family, second, for the last 10 years I attempted to run into vic down in Puerto Rico with no luck, this will be a regret in my life, that I never got to shake his hand.
When we talk about the great Puerto Rican ballplayers, right away we thing of "El Magnifico" the great, Roberto Clemente. But when the great Puerto Ricans ballplayers are call for their contribution to the game of baseball on an off the field, Let's remember El Senor Vic Power as he was known to baseball.
Everything has been written about Vic Power, what I would like to see is for him to be remember 10,20,30 years from now like we remember Roberto Clemente. Vic has gone maybe to a better place there he will meet with Roberto and discuss how they will make a Boricua baseball team. REST IF PEACE, EL GRAN SENOR VIC POWER.
Power only struck out 247 times in 12 seasons but only walked 279 times giving him a .315 on base percentage. He was well known for telling his infielders to throw the ball to first whether he was there or not and he would invariably be there by the time the ball arrived.
re: vic power the human vacuum cleaner
That was SEVEN STRAIGHT GOLD GLOVES not one, from 57-64.
Vic Power may have been the greatest defensive 1st basemen ever to put on a 1B mitt. I used to have a Vic Power 1B mitt, everyone did. You couldn't go to the sporting goods store without seeing a Vic Power 1B mitt.
Vic Power was everything a defensive 1B was supposed to be.
And he was a great Cuban ball player, yes he was.
Since he couldn't hit the long ball, he DID EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE GAME BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE--HE FIELDED THE BEST, HE STOLE HOME, HE RAN THE BASES SMART, HE ALWAYS HAD HIS HEAD IN THE GAME--HE WAS A WINNER.
I'm not saying sabermetrically he was the greatest or best 1st baseman, but he did everything he could, given his talents, to make his team win. If he couldn't do it with his bat, he did it with his glove. If he couldn't do it with his bat, he did it with his feet. He was the defensive leader of the infield and made his pitchers far batter.
Vic Power was a great player in ways that numbers can't fully explain, even though like many others I like to believe that win shares express the totality of a player's contributions on the field.
But what Vic Power was, like Jackie Robinson was before him, was a LEADER. He had LEADERSHIP qualities that trasmitted to his teammates, who loved and respected him, and his latino teammates and latino people loved, cared for and respected him infinitely.
His memory will be with us always.
Here in Philadelphia, we will always remember our first great black ballplayer, Vic Power.
--AK
Vic Power was truly one of the greatest fielding first baseman to ever play the game.Growing up in the Boston area, and a red sox fan I always enjoyed when he came to town and watched him play.I started going to games in 1959, and saw vic many times over the years, he was an outstanding hitter as well. One of the bright spots in the american league who for years had a shortage of players of color in the league, through out the 50`s and 60`s hence falling behind the national laegue, during those years in the all star games. Vic power, minnie minoso, Elston Howard, were a few of the black stars who were in the league at that time. fond memory`s OF THE GREAT VIC POWER, A TURE FANCY DAN AT FIRST BASE. REST IN PEACE, VIC.
I am the oldest son, and I fell happy when I read this article. I was with my father in last moment when he past away, my father dead in peace. The dead of my father was like a all star game. Now my father is in the new stadium with his new coach God, try to win another gold glove. Thank You for you honestly word, God Bless You.