October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
The Yankees were blessed with three generations of outstanding catchers: Bill Dickey to Yogi Berra to Elston Howard. Besides being one of the best backstops to wear the pinstripes, Elston Howard was also the team's first African-American player. He came up to the Yankees in 1955 and under the guidance of Yogi Berra learned to handle the Yankees pitching staff as the team ticked off a dizzying succession of world championships. Howard's best season was 1963 when he became the first black player to win the American League MVP Award. After his playing days ended, Howard broke another color barrier when he became the first African-American coach in the American league. The catcher mentored another outstanding Yankees catcher, Thurman Munson and was instrumental in shaping the great 1970's championship teams. Unfortunately, Elston Howard's health rapidly declined and he passed away in 1980 at the young age of 51. Since he left us so young and before the autograph collecting frenzy of the 1980's, examples of Howard's signature are scarce, especially single signed balls. This one offered here is one of the finest you'll see. The Yankee great has signed this Yankees souvenir ball in bold black marker, adding "To Tony, Best Wishes". The signature is a tremendous 10/10 and the ball is a nice clean creamy white making this an outstanding display piece. Letter of Authenticity from JSA.