Mets Catcher Yogi Berra and Red Sox Catcher Ellie Howard Weren’t Traitors
January 18, 2012 · Harold Friend · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
There is no doubt about it. The New York Yankees‘ greatest rivals are the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox.
Two of the greatest Yankees catchers were Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. Each finished his career playing for one of those rivals.
After Berra was summarily relieved of managerial duties following the pennant-winning season of 1964, he was signed by the Mets in Apr. 1965 as a player-coach.
Joining Mets manager Casey Stengel, whom the Yankees had fired for not winning the 1960 World Series, Berra batted nine times, managing two hits. He then became a full-time Mets coach.
Those nine at-bats prevented Berra from being a Yankee for his entire playing career.
When Gil Hodges passed away during the 1972 season, Berra took over as manager.
Most Yankees fans applauded the Mets for getting Berra. Others, who rooted for the uniform and not the player, either ignored him or actually rooted against the Mets. Not many fans were in the latter group.
The Red Sox were embroiled in one of the greatest of all pennant races in 1967.
Entering the season, the Yankees had offered Howard a $10,000 pay cut. In 1966, he batted .256/.317/.356. Howard signed for a cut of $6,000.
On June 26, 1967, manager Ralph Houk informed Howard that he was a member of the Red Sox.
Howard considered retiring, but Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey convinced him to join his team. Yawkey was sincere when he said the Red Sox really wanted Howard.
The Red Sox were in second place at the time. They had a real shot at winning the pennant, which they did, with Howard’s help.
As he was about to leave the Yankees, he told baseball writer Jim Ogle, “If I can help the Red Sox win the pennant this year it would be the greatest thrill of my career.”
Don’t ever misinterpret Howard’s loyalty to the Yankees. He realized that his career and his family came first.
Ever since the Yankees-Red Sox and Yankees-Mets rivalries started, the fans have been more intense about it than the players.That is true most of the time, although Don Zimmer and Pedro Martinez would be quick to disagree.
Howard didn’t add anything to the Red Sox offense, batting only .147/.211/.198, but no one was better at handling a pitching staff.
“He was like a pitching coach to Lonborg, Gary Bell, Gary Waslewski, Lee Stange, guys like that,” Reggie Smith said. “No doubt Elston helped us win it.”
The Red Sox finished one game ahead of both the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.
Elston played in 1968. At Fenway Park—yes Yankees fans, at Fenway Park, Boston—the fans gave him a standing ovation in his final game. On Oct. 21 he announced his retirement.
On Oct. 22, the Yankees announced that he was their first base coach.
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