He was one of the greatest baseball players from Puerto Rico. In the States he went by the name of Vic Power because he played for some time in Canada under the name of Victor Pellot and apparently in French-Canadian Pellot is slang for vagina so he changed his name.
Anyway, he was one of the players who helped break the color barrier in American baseball. He played for the Cleveland Indians, the Minnesota Twins, the Philadelphia Phillies and the California Angels. He won seven consecutive Golden Gloves.
According to legend, once, in a coffee shop, a waitress said to Vic Power, “We don’t serve Negroes here.” He said, “That’s okay. I don’t eat Negroes.”
Maybe the best one-liner I have ever heard in my entire life.
Victor Felipe Pellot Pove, 1927-2005.
And with that, ladies and germs, I am off on hiatus to work on family stuff. Yes, you heard me correctly — loads and loads of family stuff.
A hat tip for the above to my lovely husband, Oscar.
I will post when I can. Love you, Julia
Take care of yourself, J.
Blessings and peace…
I echo both sentiments above.
One of my faves growing up a Minnesota Twins fan in a Minneapolis suburb. A very stylish and elegant first baseman.
My linguistics research is a little different. Pelote” is the French word for ball. Since baseball fans are immature he began going by his mother’s maiden name, “Pove”, which roughly translated to the English word “Power”. Also of interest he once was traded for Roger Maris who famously hit 61 homers for the Yankees in 1961. Over and out.
Hmmm, hubby - the article I read said vagina, but ball would be interesting. I read his bio - he was a very interesting guy.
Thanks Roberta, Anny and Amber!