An Unsung Hero
He was not a Mantle, Maris, or Berra but every bit as important to the Yankee legacy. Elston Howard came to the Yankees in 1955 as their first African American ball player. He was initially a backup catcher to Yogi Berra before taking Yogi’s place in 1961. In 1963, he was named the MVP, batting .287, 28 HRs, and 85 RBIs, and won a Gold Glove for his fine fielding skills as a catcher and an outfielder. He went on to appear in 12 all star games. He followed up his playing career serving as the first black coach in the American League with the Yankees, 1969 – 1979. Elston died tragically in 1980 due to heart disease. In 1984, his number was retired, and a plaque was installed in the Yankee Memorial Garden with the inscription, “A man of great gentleness and integrity.”