1967 Profile: Elston Howard

"Neither advancing age, arm and shoulder problems nor an abysmal Yankee year have discouraged Ellie Howard one bit. He strongly believes in a comeback on all counts. His own performance last year was marred by a shaky start due to physical problems, but he began to come around later on. He got into 126 games and batted .256, with six homers and 35 RBIs.
His throwing problems may necessitate a switch to first base, where he would love to play because it could add a few years to his career. Now 37, he says he feels physically no older than 30 and will play as much as Ralph Houk will let him. For many years the league's top catcher, Ellie was voted MVP in 1963, when he batted .287 with 28 homers and 85 RBIs."

-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1967

"Elston Howard, now 37 and after 12 seasons as a Yankee, does not expect to be a member of another last place Bomber team. He anticipates doing something about it himself.
Below par physically since injuring his right elbow in a Puerto Rican exhibition game with the Yanks two years ago and eventually submitting to surgery, Ellie expects to be back to normal this year for the first time since his .313 season of 1964.
The American League's Most Valuable Player of 1963, Howard feels he has a major contribution to make to the Yankees' anticipated rise this season. Winner of a host of awards and honors during his distinguished Yankee career, Ellie had never hit a grand slam home run until 1966. He did it for the first time last June 24, when he hit his 156th four-bagger.
Elston Howard has been a great Yankee on superb Yankee teams. He feels he will be contributing to more of them in the future.
'Talking doesn't prove anything,' Ellie said, 'so we'll just have to go out and prove ourselves again.' "

-The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook

MY GREATEST THRILL
"In 1963, I was named the American League's Most Valuable Player - baseball's top award. It was the high spot of my career - an award I will always treasure."

-Elston Howard, The New York Yankees Official 1967 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.
Hit grand slam for first time in 12-year career, June 24, 1966 ... his 156th lifetime homer.

-1967 Press-Radio-TV Guide