"Spring training started all over again last June for Elston Howard. The 37-year-old catcher, winner of the American League's MVP Award for 1963, underwent arm surgery just after opening day and missed the first 40 games of the season. His sub-par .233 batting average reflects his late start. He'd been a solid .289 hitter for the Yanks in his previous ten seasons, as well as the league's best all-around catcher. When he first came up, the pitchers got him out on high fastballs, but now they throw him low and work him in and out. He murders the slow stuff."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1966
"Elston Howard came back all the way in spring training this year. The nine-time American League All-Star indicated that he had fully recovered from surgery that had hampered his throwing and hitting most of last season. Diligent exercising and what the veteran receiver calls his 'youthful body' contributed to his recovery. A healthy Howard is just about the best tonic the Yankees could ask for in this comeback season.
The 1965 campaign is one Ellie would like to forget. His batting average dropped an even 80 points and his .233 mark was 51 points below his lifetime average. But Howard made a remarkable comeback last year.
The American League's Most Valuable Player of 1963 had an equally fine 1964 campaign, hitting a club-leading .313, setting a major league season record for putouts by a catcher, establishing an American League mark for most chances, and knocking in the winning run 21 times."
-The New York Yankees Official 1966 Yearbook
Purchased by Yankees from Kansas City Monarchs, July 24, 1950.
Named International League's Most Valuable Player while with Toronto, 1954.
Hit home run in first World Series at-bat, September 28, 1955.
Won Babe Ruth Award (top World Series player), 1958.
Led Yankees in hitting (.348), 1961.
Hit two home runs in one game three times, 1962.
Led Yankees in batting average (.287), home runs (28) and triples (6), 1963.
Named Most Valuable Player in American League, 1963.
Knocked in deciding run a club-leading 21 times, 1964.
Led Yankees and third in American League in hitting (.313), 1964.
Set Major League record, most putouts, season, by a catcher (939), 1964.
Set American League record, most chances accepted, season, by a catcher (1,006), 1964.
Led American League catchers in fielding (.998), 1964.
Injured right elbow, April 3, 1965, in exhibition game in Puerto Rico ... slipped while making throw to second base. Placed on disabled list, May 4. Underwent surgery, May 4, for removal of two bone chips from right elbow. Reactivated, June 4.
-1966 Press-TV-Radio Guide
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