Elston Howard was the first African American player in the American League and made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 1955. As a pioneer in breaking the color barrier in professional baseball, Howard faced immense racism and discrimination yet persevered to have a highly successful career. He was a key member of six World Series championship teams with the Yankees and in 1963 became the first Black player to win a World Series MVP award. Howard’s trailblazing career and accomplishments have made his baseball cards highly valuable collectibles that provide a lens into an important era in sports history.
Some of the earliest and most scarce Elston Howard baseball cards were produced during his rookie season in 1955 when he was still establishing himself in the majors. One of the first issues to feature Howard was the 1955 Topps card #448. This was among the last cards in the set and it shows Howard in a Yankees road uniform from his rookie season. The photo has a blue border and “Rookie Star” printed at the bottom. Due to the limited distribution of 1955 Topps sets during Elston’s rookie year, his card from that issue is quite rare in high grade. Another key early Howard card is the 1955 Bowman card #359 which also depicts him as a rookie for the Yankees. Bowman sets from 1955 are also very scarce to find in pristine condition today.
In 1956, Howard’s second major league season, he began to receive more recognition on baseball cards as he started to become an established member of the Yankees lineup. His 1956 Topps card #382 and 1956 Bowman card #245 both feature updated photos from that season. By this point, Howard’s name recognition was growing and his cards from the mid-1950s are considered important issues for documenting the early stages of his career as the American League’s first Black player. While still not overly common to find in mint condition, 1956 is when Howard’s rookie cards started seeing wider distribution compared to 1955.
As Howard’s career progressed into the late 1950s, he began achieving statistical milestones and greater accomplishments that garnered him prominent inclusion in the flagship Topps sets of the time. In 1957, he appeared on the iconic Topps card #477 wearing his traditional catching gear. That same year also saw the release of the rare 1957 Topps Traded card #T87, which is one of the most significant Howard variations from the 1950s. In 1958, Topps honored Howard on card #540 after he hit a career-high .324 batting average the prior season, showing how his stats were earning him more recognition on annual issues.
The peak of Howard’s career coincided with the rise of the modern baseball card boom in the early 1960s. As a star player for the dominant Yankees dynasty, he received excellent card coverage during this period. In 1961, Topps featured Howard on card #556 in the base set. Then in 1962, he appeared on the coveted Topps card #500 in the standard issue as well as card #T100 in the rare Traded variation. This was around the time that Howard was becoming one of the elder statesmen in the Yankees clubhouse and his leadership was a big factor in the team’s continued success.
Howard had one of the finest seasons of his career in 1963 when he hit .287, led AL catchers in fielding percentage, and was named World Series MVP as the Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. This standout campaign earned Howard one of his most iconic baseball cards ever released – the 1963 Topps card #600. The photo shows Howard in action catching for the Yankees and its prestigious low card number placement signified his status on that team. He also received the 1963 Topps Traded card #T102 treatment that same year. With Howard’s career peaking, his cards from this era are highly valued by collectors.
In the latter stages of his playing days from 1964-1967, Howard continued to be featured regularly in the annual Topps sets as a respected veteran for the Yankees. His 1964 Topps card #650, 1965 Topps card #600, 1966 Topps card #610, and 1967 Topps card #640 are all notable issues that showcase Howard in his later 30s. Even after retiring as a player, Howard remained in the Yankees organization and was honored on the 1968 Topps card #620 in his post-playing role as a coach. This completion of coverage from his rookie season through retirement makes Elston Howard’s Topps run one of the most documented careers from that era.
Beyond the standard Topps issues, Howard also appeared in several other memorable 1950s-60s card sets. He was included in the 1960 Leaf card set on card #78L. In 1962, he had cards in Picasso (#18), Post Cereal (#36), and Utica Club (#41). That same year also saw his solo card #23 in the rare MGM Movie Stars set. Howard also received cards in 1964 Post (#58), 1965 Post (#41), 1966 Post (#68), 1967 Post (#59), and 1968 Post (#59) issues over the latter part of his career. The extensive representation of Howard across various 1950s-60s brands is a testament to his importance as one of the first Black baseball stars.
In the modern era, Elston Howard has continued to gain recognition for his trailblazing career and role in breaking the color barrier. This is reflected through special tribute cards released long after his playing days. Examples include a 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game Memorial card and a 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter card honoring African American baseball pioneers. Howard was also part of a 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter card paying homage to the original New York Yankees dynasty. In 2019, Topps honored Howard further with a card in their Archives 65th Anniversary set remembering his 1963 World Series MVP achievement. These modern issues celebrate Howard’s lasting legacy over 60 years after his debut.
Whether from his rookie season, prime years, or post-career tribute issues – Elston Howard’s baseball cards serve as a visual chronicle of the obstacles he overcame and excellence he displayed as a pioneer. His cards ranging from the scarce 1950s Bowman and Topps rookies up through modern commemoratives are highly prized by collectors appreciating Howard’s important place in sports and cultural history. Few players can match the complete coverage and significance represented across such a wide range of issues from the 1950s until today. Elston Howard’s trailblazing career on the field is immortalized through the baseball cards that were produced during and long after his playing days.
