Boog out in Baltimore

Boog Powell batting for the Orioles at Boston’s Fenway Park

Less than three months after trading for power-hitting first baseman Lee May, the always-contending Baltimore Orioles 49 years ago today send – or banish, considering the destination – popular first baseman Boog Powell to the forever-mediocre Cleveland Indians.

Dave Duncan

In return for Powell, who during an injury-plagued 1974 season hits only 12 home runs in 110 games, the Orioles acquire catcher Dave Duncan.

Powell leaves Baltimore after 13-plus seasons, a span over which he hits 303 home runs, drives in 1,063 runs over 1,763 games and helps the Orioles reach four World Series – and win two of them.

Powell also wins the 1970 American League Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Orioles over the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series.

For the Orioles, Duncan does as he always does, meaning he barely hits above .200 while proving outstanding defense behind the plate.

With Duncan, the Orioles finish second in the American League East to Boston in 1975 and then to New York in 1976.

The Orioles then trade Duncan to the Chicago White Sox before the 1977 season for outfielder Pat Kelly, and he ends up being released before ever playing another game in the majors. Done at 31.

Alas, Powell also lasts just two seasons in Cleveland, where he does quite well in 1975 with 27 homers in 134 games with 86 runs batted in before slipping in 1976 with nine homers in 95 games with 33 RBIs.

Like Duncan, Powell – then 36 years old – finishes his career in 1977.

As for May, he enjoys six mostly productive seasons in Baltimore before finishing up his career in 1982 with Kansas City and retiring at 39.

Lee May with the Orioles