Power was a stylish, exuberant, showboating first baseman who won seven Gold Gloves. The right-hander 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 base stealer, 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.”
