After managing in the New York Yankees minor league system from 1955-57, Ralph Houk returned to the Bronx in 1958 to serve as the Yankees’ first base coach under legendary manager Casey Stengel. Following the Yankees’ seven-game World Series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run, Stengel was fired and replace by Houk for the 1961 season.

Houk, known as a “players’ manager” led the Yankees to the 1961 World Series title, thanks in large part to the historic seasons of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, whose single-season home run pursuit of Babe Ruth, captivated the nation. As a result of the Yankees’ success under his leadership, Houk received the Sporting News Manager of the Year Award.

Offered here is the very award presented to Houk by The Sporting News. This award has been matted and framed to a dimension of 17 x 18 inches. Displaying toning due to age, it has printed “Ralph Houk Manager, New York Yankees Cited by The Sporting News as the No. 1. Major League Manager of 1961 for his judicious and inspirational leadership which not only helped several Yankee players –notably Whitey Ford, Roger Maris and Elston Howard—to enjoy the greatest season of their careers, but also enabled him to join the select ranks of those who won a pennant and world’s championship in their first year as a major league manager. Given under my hand and seal this one hundred and twenty-second year since the founding of baseball at Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1839.”  and signed by J.G. Taylor Spink, the Publisher of The Sporting News. This item comes with a LOA from Donna Houk Slaboden, the daughter of Ralph Houk. Please note that there is some edge wear on frame.

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