Print this page

36. Elston Howard

36. 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
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
1072612382942334152418 0.274
 
It took longer than it should have for the New York Yankees but in 1955 when they finally signed their first African-American they picked a great one in Elston Howard.

Howard struggled to find playing time early in his Yankees tenure as the converted Catcher (by the Yankees no less) as he arrived in the Majors at a time when Yogi Berra was still an elite player.  He would play Outfield and First Base for New York while also playing behind the plate in the 50’s but despite his rotating position he would become an All-Star Game fixture.

Howard would become the full-time Catcher in 1961 and he would be named the American League MVP in 1963.  He would have 161 Home Runs as a Yankee and is still considered to be one of the classiest players in Yankee history.  He would later win two more World Series rings with New York as a Coach.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Catcher, First Base, Outfield
  • Acquired: Purchased from Kansas City from the Negro Leagues 7/19/50.
  • Departed: Traded to the Boston Red Sox for Pete Magrini and a Player to be Named Later (which would be Ron Klimkowski 8/3/67.
  • Games Played: 1492
  • Notable Statistics: 588 Runs Scored
    1,405 Hits
    211 Doubles
    50 Triples
    161 Home Runs
    733 Runs Batted In
    8 Stolen Bases
    .279/.324/.436 Slash Line
    27.8 bWAR

    47 Playoff Games
    25 Runs Scored
    40 Hits
    7 Doubles
    0 Triples
    5 Home Runs
    18 Runs Batted In
    1 Stolen Base
    .261/.323/.418 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Champion (1956, 1958, 1961 & 1962)
    MVP (1963)
    All-Star (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1965)
    Gold Glove (1963 & 1964)
    Babe Ruth Award (1958)
    Most Putouts by a Catcher (1964)
    Highest Caught Stealing Percentage (1962)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Catcher (1962 & 1964)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Catcher (1964)

Comments powered by CComment