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138. Elston Howard

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138. Elston Howard
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: February 23, 1929 in St. Louis, MO USA
  • Weight: 196 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 14, 1955
  • Final Game: September 29, 1968
  • Babe Ruth Award - 1958
  • TSN All-Star - 1961
  • Gold Glove - 1963
  • Most Valuable Player - 1963
  • TSN All-Star - 1963
  • Gold Glove - 1964
  • TSN All-Star - 1964
  • MVP - 1958
  • MVP - 1961
  • MVP - 1963
  • MVP - 1964
  • MVP - 1967
 
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The professional career of Elston Howard began in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1948, but the New York Yankees would sign him in 1950.  After two years in the military and two years in the minors, Howard debuted in pinstripes in 1955.

Howard had learned how to be a Catcher, but with Yogi Berra in tow, he was used as a backup there.  He would receive playing time in the 1950s, either as a backup in the Outfield or occasionally at First Base.  Playing for the Yankees gave him national attention, and he would be regularly named to the All-Star games despite not having a central position.  New York won the World Series in 1956 and 1958, but by 1961, he was finally set to take up the Catcher's position on a regular basis.

Howard again helped the Yanks win the World Series in 1961 and 1962, and in 1963, when he had his career-high 28 Home Runs, would win the American League MVP.  Howard’s nine-year streak of All-Star Games ended in 1965, and he finished his career in 1968 with two final years as a Red Sox.

He would later win two more World Series rings with the Yankees as a Coach in 1977 and 1978.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Tuesday, 01 January 1974
  • Position: Catcher, Outfield
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (4) (New York Yankees 1956, 1958, 1961 & 1962) 
    MVP (1) (1963)
    All-Star (6) (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1965)
    Gold Glove (2) (AL) (1963 & 1964)
    Babe Ruth Award (1) (AL) (1963)
    Most Putouts by a Catcher (1) (AL) (1964)
    Highest Caught Stealing Percentage (1) (AL) (1962)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Catcher (2) (AL) (1962 & 1964)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes: Won the 1963 AL MVP
    (AL: 1963, 10th) & (AL: 1964, 3rd)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Slugging Percentage)
    1 Top Ten Finish (OPS)
    1 Top Ten Finish (OPS+)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Hits)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Doubles)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Home Runs)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Runs Batted In)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Single)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Extra Base HIts)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 33. Total Zone Runs by a Catcher: 39
    51. Fielding Percentage by a Catcher: .993
    75. Putouts by a Catcher: 6,447
    77. Double Plays Turned by a Catcher: 87
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1974: 5.2%
    1975: 6.4%
    1976: 14.2%
    1977: 11.2%
    1978: 10.8%
    1979: 6.9%
    1980: 7.5% 
    1981: 20.7%
    1982: 9.6%
    1983: 8.6%
    1984: 11.2%
    1985: 13.7%
    1986: 12.0%
    1987: 10.7%
    1988: 12.4%

  • Should be Inducted As A: New York Yankee

Should Elston Howard be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 33.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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