Elston Howard
The first black man to play for the New York Yankees, Elston Howard was also the first black man to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, which he did in 1963. The versatile Howard was an outstanding catcher/outfielder for the Yankees from the mid-1950s through the 1960s. He played on ten pennant-winning teams in a 13-year stretch, earning four World Championship rings.
• Topps 1957 #82 Elston Howard was the 1st black player on the New York Yankees. He made his MLB debut on Aril 14,1955. Allstar catcher Most valuable Player American League 1963 Gold Glove Award 1963 - 1964 1st black coach in the American League. Inventor of the batting "Donut," a circular lead weight with a rubber shell used by batters on the on deck circle by placing it around a bat to make it feel heavier, so that the bat will feel lighter at the plate and easier to swing