This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2003.
When Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were plagued by injuries in 1963, Elston Howard stepped up with a .287 batting average, 28 home runs, and 85 RBI to lead the Yankees to their fourth straight pennant and win the Most Valuable Player award in the process. This is Howard's player contract from that year, in which the Yankees signed him for $49,500. Howard's blue ink signature rates at least a 9 and is also signed by Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, who was American League President at the time. The rare contract is dated February 20, 1963 and would grade near mint to mint if not for two unobtrusive fold marks from being neatly folded and another light fold mark. The autograph comes with a letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA and the contract comes with a letter of authenticity from Howard's wife Arlene.