Jim was a member of one of the best pitching staffs of the 1960s and 1970s that included Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Tom Phoebus, and Mike Cuellar.  He earned a championship ring in the 1970 World Series and was part of the dominant 1969 American League champs who lost that year's World Series to the "Miracle Mets".  An 18 game winner in 1968, Hardin pitched 4-1/2 years with Baltimore, half of one season with the Yankees and one year with the Braves. He finished his career with a record of 43-32 and a 3.19 ERA. 

 

BOOG POWELL

Jim's daughter Gina saw her dad's old fishing buddy in 2002 at Baltimore's Camden Yards outside his "Boog's Barbecue" food stand.  She was wearing Jim's #44 jersey and reintroduced herself to him.  After about one-half second of thought (to search 30 years of memories) a look of comprehension burst onto his face, he jumped out of his seat and hugged her.  It was as if nothing had changed from the days when the little girl would go to, as she described it, "Boogies house with the dirty roof."  Gracious and kind, John Powell is the epitome of a southern gentleman and is an ideal representative of the Baltimore Orioles.