[1] He began his professional baseball career in 1888, with his hometown San Francisco Haverlys of the California League (CL) at the age of 19.

[2] He began the 1890 baseball season with the Baltimore Orioles of the Atlantic Association,[2] before making his MLB debut on August 27 with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association and stayed with the team through the conclusion of the season.

[1] In 1891, he played with, and for part of the season, managed the Rochester Hop Bitters of the Eastern Association.

[2] He began the 1892 season with the Troy Trojans of the Eastern League (EL) before returning to California and played for two area teams; the Oakland Morans of the Central California League San Francisco Metropolitans of the CL.

[2] On February 25, 1898, Powers died of consumption at his home in San Francisco,[4] and is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.