#144 Leroy Powell - Chicago White Sox

Robert Leroy Powell
Chicago White Sox
Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  190
Born:  October 17, 1933, Flint, MI
Signed:  Signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent, June 9, 1955
Major League Teams:  Chicago White Sox 1955, 1957
Died:  April 26, 2014, Muscle Shoals, AL (age 80)

Known as Leroy to baseball card collectors, but preferring to be called by his first name, Bob Powell appeared in two major league baseball game as a pinch-runner for the White Sox.  Signed by the White Sox as a bonus baby, Powell was required to stay on the White Sox roster and he spent most of his few years on the club trying to convince manager Marty Marion to give him a shot, or throwing batting practice.  He requested his release in 1957, citing a lack of playing time, and was assigned to the top farm team of the White Sox in Colorado Springs upon clearing waivers.  There he found success at the plate, hitting .307 over 131 games and on the mound, going 6-5 with a 4.86 ERA over 28 appearances.  Powell stuck around Colorado Springs for the start of the 1958 season, retiring after 12 more games at the age of 24.

April 23, 2000 - Easter Sunday

Building the Set
April 22, 2000 in Raleigh, NC - Card #198
I paid $2 for this card at the Sports Card & NASCAR Collectibles Show held in Raleigh, North Carolina a week after tax deadline day and the day before Easter.  I bought six cards that day, paying a grand total of $20.  Pictures from this time in my life are few and far between, but it looks as if my parents paid a visit to Raleigh for Easter weekend as I have photos of them dressed for what has to be for a church service.  We're standing outside the apartment complex where I was living at the time.  And it's quite possible my Dad attended this baseball card show in Raleigh with me, which would have been a rarity in those days.

This day is also notable as it's almost 10 years to the day before our youngest son Ben was born.  There were some bumpy roads coming up for a few years following this picture, but eventually things got back on track.

The Card / White Sox Team Set
If that's truly an action photo showing Powell, and I'd be extremely impressed if it was, it's from his major league debut on September 16, 1955 against the Athletics.  Powell ran for Ron Northey who had walked, and was forced out at second when Minnie Minoso (#125) grounded into a double play.  The Athletics shortstop, presumably shown here, was Jerry Schypinski.  Schypinski appeared in only 22 games for the 1955 Athletics, and ironically enough never appeared on a baseball card.  Even though it kind of looks like a Yankees uniform on the shortstop, I'm going with Powell and Schypinski in the photo as it makes a better story.  Complicating things somewhat with my theory is that according to his Baseball Reference page, Powell did wear #17, but not until 1957.  They list 21 as his uniform number in 1955.

Topps reprinted this card for Powell to sign as part of its 2005 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs set. 

1956 Season

Powell again began the season on the White Sox roster, but was left to languish on the bench.  He had been used as a pitcher during spring training, but was never given the chance in a game situation.  With no playing time imminent, he reported to the U.S. Army where he served at Fort Bliss, Texas between May and November.

2005 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #RO-LPO

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  1956 Topps #144
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  1956
Most Recent Mainstream Card:  2005 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs #RO-LPO

3 - Powell non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 2/14/21.

Sources:  
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database

Wikipedia