Remembering Mets History (1963) Grover Powell Pitches Rare Mets Shutout

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Tuesday August 20th, 1963: Grover Powell got the start in this first game of a doubleheader at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Powell had pitched in relief in nine games & had the teams best ERA at 1.88 coming into the game.

He took the mound for Casey Stengel's last place Mets (40-85) facing Gene Mauch's fourth place Phillies (69-59), against Cal McLish, in front of 24,923 fans in Philly.


Grover Powell was shaky in the 1st inning, he walked two batters & allowed a base hit. But with one out, he got Don Demeter to pop out & Don Hoak to strike out. He retired the next seven batters in a row, allowing a double to Demeter in the 4th, but then getting the next two outs. He would not allow another base runner.

After retiring the next seven batters in a row, he walked Roy Sievers & Demeter in the 6th inning. Don Hoak reached on an infield single & the bases were loaded. But Powell got Clay Dalrymple to ground out to Rin Hunt at second, to end the inning.

In the 7th, Powell struck out two Phillies & retired the side in order. The shut out was still in tact but Cal McLish was shutting out the Mets as well

In the top of the 8th, Al Moran singled for the Mets with one out. He advanced to second when Powell grounded out. Jim Hickman then singled, scoring Moran with the Mets first run. 

Tim Harkness then doubled to centerfield, bringing in
Hickman to make it 2-0.

Powell retired the side in the 8th. In the top of the 9th, Duke Snider doubled & Mets slugger Frank Thomas, hit his 13th HR of the year, a two run shot making it 5-0 Mets.

In the 9th, Powell retired the side in order, getting pinch hitter Cookie Rojas, to strike out to end the game.

Powell had his first career win. This would be the only career win for the 21 year old. 


In his next start, he was struck in the cheek with a line drive off the bat of the Pirates Don Clendenon, the future Mets star. Powell stayed in the game to pitch five scoreless innings. 

Unfortunately he was never effective again, he would appear in just eight more games that year going 1-1 ending his career with a 2.72 ERA.

Sadly Powell passed away in 1985, at age 44 from leukemia.

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