Elston Howard

[Chris-Counts]

Under different circumstances where Yogi Berra wasn't his teammate, he might have had an even more impressive career from a statistical standpoint. He was stuck in the minors so long fans picketed Yankee Stadium, and never played 100 games as a catcher until he turned 32. While the Hall of Fame's stubborn gatekeepers might cringe, he wouldn't be the worst catcher in Cooperstown.

Of all his cards, I like the 1958 Topps the best.

[GeoPoto]

(Chris: Thanks for the post and the nice 58T of Elston!)

In the summer of 1945, Howard, then 16, was playing baseball in a sandlot when Frank Tetnus “Teannie” Edwards approached him. “The biggest kid on the field was hitting the ball so hard and far that it made Teannie mad,” wrote Arlene Howard in her book Elston and Me. “When he got to the field he found out that the big kid was, in fact, one of the youngest on the lot.” Edwards, a former Negro Leagues player himself, helped run the St. Louis Braves and he wanted Elston. Convincing Emmaline was the hardest part. Edwards had to promise that young Elston would eat properly. On Easter Sunday 1946 (April 21), Howard debuted in the Tandy League, catching in a game against Kinloch. He had two hits and threw out two runners trying to steal second in a 5-4 loss.

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Under different circumstances where Yogi Berra wasn't his teammate, he might have had an even more impressive career from a statistical standpoint. He was stuck in the minors so long fans picketed Yankee Stadium, and never played 100 games as a catcher until he turned 32. While the Hall of Fame's stubborn gatekeepers might cringe, he wouldn't be the worst catcher in Cooperstown.

Of all his cards, I like the 1958 Topps the best.

One of the more underrated players of his era... shocking that if you asked the casual fan if they knew who Elston Howard is they would have no idea, despite the 12 AS appearances (really 9 though) and an MVP.

Also, I have surprisingly never seen that 58 Howard and it is one of my new favorites. Has to be the best looking card in the set and probably one of the better looking one of the 50s as a whole.

[jingram058]

I for one love these threads. Outstanding!

[NiceDocter]

Traded to the Red Sox for half the 1967 season and 1968 season. Was on the "Impossible Dream" team and contributed greatly..... only to be on the losing end to the Cards giving him a dubious honor...... tied with Pee Wee Reese for most times on a World Series runner up! PS Thanks to our own Gray Ghost (Scott) for selling me these cool type 1 photos....

[JollyElm]

Although he may have been overlooked elsewhere, for those of us growing up in New York, good old #32 remained a continual presence each night you put on Channel 11 to watch the Yanks.
He stood as a visible pillar of the Bronx Bombers' legacy, and seemed to really be a calming influence in what Sparky Lyle eventually deemed 'The Bronx Zoo.' A class act.

[commishbob]

A couple more Ellie Howard things.

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[GeoPoto]

The following year, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the Major Leagues. Now 18, Howard was working at Bauer’s grocery store and finishing at all-black Vashon High School. After Robinson’s debut, Vashon hastily formed a baseball team. Elston was already a star athlete at Vashon, playing football, running track, and making all-state in basketball. He was easily the best player in baseball, as well, and after graduating from Vashon, he played another summer with the (St. Louis) Braves.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Of all his cards, I like the 1958 Topps the best.

Oh that's a nice one!

While I'm decidedly not a Yankees fan, I have Elston Howard's 1959 and 1963 Topps cards, his 1962 Canadian Post Cereal card, his 1962 Shirriff Baseball coin. his 1963 Salada Baseball coin and his 1964 Topps Baseball coins. I'm willing to add his 1957, 1958, 1960 (even though it's a truly wretched pose/photo), 1961, 1962 and 1965 Topps cards to my collection as well but they have to be the right card at the right price. I'm in no hurry.