Martin Powell

Martin J. Powell (March 25, 1856 – February 5, 1888) was an American professional baseball player from 1878 to 1884. He played four seasons of Major League Baseball as a first baseman for the Detroit Wolverines from 1881 to 1883 and the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds in 1884.

In his rookie season in the major leagues, Powell compiled a .338 batting average that was second in the National League behind only Cap Anson. In 279 games over five major league seasons, he compiled a .283 batting average with 213 runs scored, 43 doubles, 11 triples, three home runs, and 115 runs batted in. Powell retired after the 1884 season due to impaired health and died of consumption (an arcane term for tuberculosis) in 1888 at age 31.

Early years Powell was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1856. He began playing baseball as a boy,

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues In 1878, Powell began his professional baseball career as a first baseman and "change catcher" for the Lowell, Massachusetts, team in the International Association. His batting average was the second-highest in the league. Upon joining the Wolverines, Powell was described as being six feet tall, "rather spare in build, although weighing 175 pounds, brown hair and eyes and gentlemanly in appearance." In his rookie season at Detroit, Powell compiled a .338 batting average and .380 on-base percentage, both of which led the Detroit team and ranked second in the National League behind Cap Anson. He stayed with the Detroit club for three full seasons, batting .240 in 1882 and .273 in 1883. He also led the National League in 1883 in both double plays (62) and errors at first base (54).

In 1884, Powell jumped to the newly formed Union Association, playing for the Cincinnati Outlaw Reds. He compiled a .319 batting average in 43 games for the Outlaw Reds.

In 279 games over five major league seasons, Powell compiled a .283 batting average with 213 runs scored, 43 doubles, 11 triples, three home runs, and 115 runs batted in.

Later years After the 1884 season, Powell retired from baseball due to impaired health and went into business with his brother. He died of consumption (an outdated term usually referring to tuberculosis) at his home in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in February 1888. He was 31 years old at the time of his death. Following his death, a writer in the Sporting Life noted: "Martin Powell was a model man, a kind friend, a devoted Catholic, loved and respected by all." He was buried at St. Bernard's Cemetery.