News
Former Astro Brian Powell dead at 35
Part of memorable multi-player trade in 1999By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com
10/07/09 12:27 PM EST
HOUSTON -- Brian Powell, a right-hander who went 2-2 in 10 games for the Astros in 2000 and 2001, died Monday in Tallahassee, Fla., from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Post-Searchlight of Bainbridge, Ga. He was 35.Powell was probably best remembered by Astros fans for being involved in one of the biggest trades in club history, when he and four other players were dealt to the Astros from Detroit in exchange for Brad Ausmus and C.J. Nitkowski on Jan. 14, 1999.
He appeared in nine games, including five as a starter, for the Astros in 2000 and went 2-1 with a 5.74 ERA. He pitched in one game for Houston in 2001, allowing five hits and six earned runs in three innings in an Aug. 11 start at Florida. On May 6, 2001, he threw a no-hitter as a member of the Astros' organization at Triple-A New Orleans.
Powell, drafted in the second round by the Tigers in 1995, went 3-8 for Detroit in 1998 before being traded to Houston. He returned to Detroit in 2002 and pitched for San Francisco in 2003 before finishing his career in Philadelphia in 2004. He was 7-18 with a 5.94 ERA in 34 career big league games.
Services for Powell will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in his native Bainbridge. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
