Elston Howard
From SoSH
| Born: | February 23, 1929 |
| Birthplace: | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Hometown: | N / A |
| Height: | 6' 2" |
| Weight: | 200 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1950 Amateur Free Agent New York Yankees |
| College: | None |
| High School: | Vashan High School (MO) |
| Other Teams: | NY Yankees 1955 - 1967 |
| Years with Boston: | 1967 - 1968 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Elston Gene Howard (February 23, 1929 - December 14, 1980), caught for 14 years for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Coming up in the Negro Leagues, Howard played 3 years in the outfield, but was then switched to catcher during his three year minor league career. His lifetime fielding percentage of .993 was a major league record from 1967 to 1973, and he retired among the AL career leaders in putouts and total chances. His lifetime slugging average of .427 ranked fourth among AL catchers when he retired. After his retirement as a player, he was a Yankee coach until his premature death at age 51 from heart failure.
Awards
- 1954 International League MVP - Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1958 American Leauge Babe Ruth Award
- 1963 American League MVP
- 2-time American League Gold Glove - Catcher (1963 & 1964)
- 9-time American League All-Star (1957 - 1965)
Howard's Moments in the Sun
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1961-1963)
- Won four World Series Rings with the New York Yankees (1956, 1958, 1961 & 1962)
- On August 21, 1967, Elston's 9th inning walk-off single to center scoring Jerry Adair gave the Red Sox a 6-5 win over the Washington Senators.
- In what is called by many the play of the year, Howard saved the day for the Red Sox in the bottom of the 9th inning on August 27, 1967 at Comiskey Park. With his gloved hand he jumped and took a high throw from Jose Tartabull in rightfield and somehow managed, with his back to the play, to tag out the streaking Ken Berry at home plate. This completed a double play, ended the game, and preserved a 4-3 win over the White Sox.
Trivia
- Howard hit a homer in his first World Series at bat in 1955.
- Howard would go on to appear in 10 World Series.
- Howard was the first African-American Yankee
- Howard is widely credited as the creator of the batting donut.
- Howard served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
- Howard is interred at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.
Transactions
- Before 1950 Season: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent.
- August 3, 1967: Traded by the New York Yankees to the Boston Red Sox for Ron Klimkowski (PTBNL) and Pete Magrini.
- October 29, 1968: Released by the Boston Red Sox.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
