Former Orioles first baseman Jim Gentile reflected on his time in Baltimore on The Bat Around July 14.
When Gentile came to Baltimore from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1960, he was on a 30-day trial period, during which he could be returned to Los Angeles with cash if the Orioles didn't want him. He faced stiff competition at first base in spring training.
"I got there and there was Walt Dropo, Bobby Boyd, John Powers, Boog Powell and I at first base," Gentile said. "At that time, Boog was only 18, just starting out. I figured [he'd be ready] in a couple of years. You could tell he was going to be a good ballplayer. Back then, he was 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5, he weighed about 210-220 [pounds]. But he just had good hands. So I said, 'Maybe two or three years.' There was Dropo, who was Rookie of the Year in '59 or '58. And then John Powers played for Columbus, but he was more of an outfielder. Bobby Boyd was a fine first baseman and a good hitter. But the problem was he didn't drive in any runs, and [then-Orioles manager Paul Richards] said he wanted a power hitter."
