On November 7, 1963 — New York Yankees catcher Elston Howard becomes the first black player to win the American League MVP Award. Howard beats out Al Kaline of the Detroit Tigers by 248 votes to 148 in the balloting.
Howard had 28 HR, 85 RBI, & .287 BA. Howard becomes the first black player in American League history to win the MVP Award. Howard Joins Roger Maris (1960-61) and Mickey Mantle (1962), the New York catcher becomes the third consecutive Yankee to win the MVP.