Alvin Jacob Powell (July 15, 1908 – November 4, 1948)[1] was an American outfielder for the Washington Senators (1930, 1934–1936 and 1943–1945),[2] New York Yankees (1936–1940)[3] and Philadelphia Phillies (1945).

On April 10, 1940, the Yankees were working their way north after spring training in Florida and stopped in Ashland, KY, to play an exhibition game.

Powell was pursuing a fly ball when he crashed into an iron light pole and suffered a head injury, most likely a concussion and possibly a fractured skull.

[9] During a dugout interview in a July 1938 game versus the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park, Powell was asked by WGN radio announcer Bob Elson how he stayed in shape during the off-season.

Powell – who claimed to be a policeman in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio (but in reality had only applied without being hired) – replied that he kept in shape by "cracking niggers over the head with my blackjack.