Elston Howard

[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.

[jingram058]

Here's a photo from the 1958 World Series, Gil McDougald and Elston Howard being interviewed after one of the games at the Stadium. I like the old-school camera gear, and both of them just seated on a table.

[GeoPoto]

(Great photo, Jim.)

He was urged by Teannie Edwards to attend an open tryout for the St. Louis Cardinals at Sportsman’s Park, but the Cardinals turned a blind eye. (Alas, the Cardinals would not field a black player until 1954 — Tom Alston.) Meanwhile, college beckoned, with three Big Ten schools (Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State) asking for his services in football and several others interested in him for track, basketball, and baseball. Emmaline was hoping her son might grow up to be a doctor. But Edwards called in scouts from the Kansas City Monarchs, the elite Negro Leagues team Jackie Robinson had played for. The Monarchs were so impressed that they went to his mother to negotiate a professional contract. Elston would get $500 a month, mailed directly to her.

[MantleMarisFordBerra]

That’s a sweet’56! And I agree with the others his ‘58 is an outstanding looking card. Glad to see Ellie getting some love!