Elston: The Story of the First African-American Yankee

by Arlene Howard, Ralph Wimbish

Beginning with his early years as a St. Louis teenager, Elston tells of Elston Howard’s love of baseball and his encounters with racism. His three decades with the New York Yankees include numerous anecdotes about fellow Yankee legends such as Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Yogi Berra. Written with a wife’s compassion and a sportswriter’s eye for detail, and with countless personal moments and rarely seen photographs, Elston is the touching story of one of baseball’s great players.

Genres: Baseball, Nonfiction, Sports

248 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[David Blankenship · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography of the first African-American New York Yankee, Elston Howard, is an interesting idea. But this isn't a very interesting book, as it is held back in part by a bland writing style and a hagiographic portrayal of Howard by his wife. While we continually hear again and again how unfair it was that Howard's career was held back through Casey Stengal's platoons, or a lack of playing time because the Yankees had Yogi Berra (a hall of famer), or by racism, or by a 10% pay cut near the end of the career when he was a shell of his former self, Howard himself never seems to be critically considered. Given a bit more objectivity the story of the first African-American Yankee would have been more compelling, but as it was it's rather bland.

[Napoleon Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great READ

Mrs. Howard did a phenomenal job putting this book together. She tells all about Elston’s early life, baseball ⚾️, & how loyal her husband was. He had the character & ability to be a Manager in Baseball ⚾️. We’ll worth the read

[Steve Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice biography of Elstion Howard with as much attention paid to his efforts and trials as the first black Yankee and his disappointing drive to become a manager.

[Jerry J. Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

NSH

Moves so slow as much of book is a gripe session. Not enough of
Elston 's views in "his words."