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As a minor catching prospect in the Yankees chain, spent his late teens in the minor leagues. Three months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Houk and his brother Harold joined the armed forces to fight for their country.

During the war he landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy and faced heavy fire. For his service, Houk was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. Houk left the army in the rank of major.

When he returned to the US Houk played in parts of eight big league seasons. Upon retirement, he was part of the New York coaching staff. From 1955-57 he managed the Denver Bears, a Yankee affiliate in the American Association. In ’58 Houk returned to the big club as a coach.

After the Yankees lost to the Pirates in the World Series in 1960, Houk was named the manager. New York captured the World Series crown in each of Houk’s first two seasons. In his first three years at the helm, the Yankees won the pennant. Houk moved into the front office after the 1963 season.

It is in this capacity that Houk writes this letter to a fan on June 21, 1965. It reads in part, “You can be sure we are doing everything we can to keep the Yankees on top, where we hope they will be by the time the season ends.”

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In the collection is this 5×7 photo of a young Ralph Houk as a Yankee catcher. Houk played in New York from 1947-1954, earning rings in both ’47 and ’52.

During parts of eight seasons in the majors, Houk hit .272 in 91 games. In 640 minor league games, he hit .289.

Managing was Houk’s most familiar big league role, one that lasted 20 seasons. He guided the Yankees for 11 seasons, the Tigers for five, and the Red Sox for four more.

Houk has a solid resume for Cooperstown with two World Series triumphs and three American League pennants. His 1,619 wins are more than eight Hall of fame skippers.

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Ralph Houk signed this check for $50 to Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn who has endorsed it on the reverse. Signed on March 16, 1985 just six months after Houk’s last managerial job with the Red Sox, the check provides the signatures of two men important to baseball history.

In his 20 years as manager, Houk helped guide the Yankees, Tigers, and Red Sox to 1,619 wins and 1,531 losses.

Houk has more wins than Cooperstown skippers Tommy Lasorda, Dick Williams, Earl Weaver, Miller Huggins, Al Lopez, Wilbert Robinson, Ned Hanlon, Frank Selee, Whitey Herzog.