1985 Event New York Yankees retire Roger Maris (9) and Elston Howard (32) uniforms 1980 Death Elston Howard, MVP catcher (New York Yankees), dies at 59 1971 Death Arnold Elston, composer, dies at 63 1967 Event Yankee Stadium, Elston Howard singles on a 3-2 pitch 1964 Event On Elston Howard Night, Mickey Mantle ties Babe Ruth's career strikeout record (1,330) 1963 Event New York Yankee Elston Howard is 1st black ever voted AL MVP 1955 Event Elston Howard becomes the 1st black to wear the Yankee uniform 1950 Event New York Yankees obtain their 1st black players, Elston Howard and Frank Barnes 1929 Birthday Elston Howard, Yankee catcher, 1st black New York Yankee/1963 AL MVP 1907 Birthday Arnold Elston, composer
