Ellie Howard: Most Valuable Player
In 1963, Howard Became the American League's First Black MVP
The NL had Jackie Robinson, Campanella, Newcombe, Mays, Aaron, Banks, Frank Robinson, and Maury Wills. In 1963, the American League had Elston Howard.
The National League had Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, and Maury Wills. In 1963, the American League had Elston Howard, who was the first black to become the American League’s Most Valuable Player.
"We're Going to Make a Catcher Out of You"
When he got out of the army in 1953, Elston Howard reported to the Yankees’ farm team at Lake Wales, Florida. Yankees’ scout Bill Skiff handed Howard, who was an outfielder, a catcher's glove. “Try this on for size,” Skiff said to Howard. “We’re going to make a catcher out of you.” About a week later, Bill Dickey, the greatest catcher to ever play the game, worked with Elston behind the plate, teaching him, as Yogi Berra once said when Dickey helped him, “his experience.”
Stengel Told Elston He Would Never Make it as an Outfielder
When Howard reported to the Triple A Kansas City Blues, which was the Yankees’ top farm team, manager Harry Craft put Ellie in the outfield, but one of the catchers was hurt and his back up slumped. Howard became the Blues’ catcher for part of the season and also played the outfield. At spring training in 1954, Dickey worked with Howard intensely behind the plate. Yankees’ manager Casey Stengel bluntly told Howard that “You’ll never make it as an outfielder. Even though we have a lot of catchers here, none hits the long ball except you and Mister Berra. So I want you to be ready when I need you.” Stengel was talking long range, not 1954.
Play More Than One Position
“I realized from the start that I was second string to a man who is a cinch to be elected to the Hall of Fame some day. When I broke in, Yogi and Campanella were the best there were. Thank God I was able to play more than one position.”
Regular Yankees' Catcher
Ellie joined the Yankees in 1955, catching only 9 games and playing the outfield in 75. In 1961, when Ralph Houk replaced Stengel as Yankees’ manager because Stengel committed the sin of getting older, Ellie became the Yankees’ catcher, although Yogi and Johnny Blanchard caught some games, but it was in 1958 that Howard had his greatest moment.
Ellie's Greatest Moment
It was Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees trailed the Braves, 3 games to 1 and were clinging to a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. With one out and the speedy Billy Bruton on first base for the Braves, Red Schoendienst hit a looping line drive into left field that seemed to be a certain hit. Bruton was off with pitch when the slow footed but sure handed Elston Howard lunged, caught the ball off the top of his shoes, and fired to first base to double up Bruton and quash the Milwaukee rally. The Yanks won and then, in Game 7, Ellie singled home Yogi in the eighth inning to snap a 2-2 tie as the Yanks went on to win the Series.
MVP
In 1963, Elston Howard hit .287 with 28 home runs, 85 RBIs, a .342 on base average, and a .528 slugging average. Ellie did not have the spectacular flair of Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays. He was a solid player whose value went beyond cold statistics. Elston Howard had the heart of a champion, drove in clutch runs, kept rallies going, guided young pitching staffs, and helped the Yankees win five consecutive pennants. He was a winner.
References:
Daley, Arthur. “Sports of the Times: The Solid Man.” New York Times. 8 November 1963, p.50.
