This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
Elston Howard was the first black player to don the iconic pinstripes, and the Yankees could not have asked for a better man to take on this difficult job. He carried himself with the pride and quiet dignity that evoked the spirit of Lou Gehrig. The consummate teammate willing to rotate from the outfield to catcher to first base when needed, Howard played a pivotal role on nine Yankee pennant-winning teams and captured two Gold Gloves behind the dish. He batted .348 in '61 and was named AL MVP in '63. From 1957-65 the guy made every single All-Star squad (12 total).
This offered Howard gamer (35", 31.5 oz.) hails from his 1955-57 rookie era when the young buck was just coming into his own as an everyday starter and perennial All-Star in New York. The Hillerich & Bradsby model R16 professional model bat exhibits evidence of excellent use with a crack on the back handle that has been repaired with small finishing nails. Slight checking (grain swelling) from repeated ball contact is on the back barrel. Several ball marks are visible on the right, left and back barrel. The scarcely found "R16" model number is stamped on the knob Outstanding bat, possibly a rookie gamer, from a standout Yankee during the Golden Era of baseball.
Includes LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA graded GU 8 (cert. #1B17056).