in his rookie season in the major leagues, powell compiled a .338 batting average that was second in the national league behind only cap anson. in 279 games over five major league seasons, he compiled a .283 batting average with 213 runs scored, 43 doubles, 11 triples, three home runs, and 115 runs batted in. powell retired after the 1884 season due to impaired health and died of consumption (an arcane term for tuberculosis) in 1888 at age 31.