After his legendary run playing for the Yankees, Berra became manager of the team in 1964 – only to be fired after losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
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On travel directions; “When you come to a fork in the road take it”. I was fortunate enough to play a couple of years with the Yankees and he spent a lot of time in the clubhouse.
It’s a sad coincidence that Berra would die just days before the New York arrival of Pope Francis.
However, he may be more widely known as an ungainly but lovable cultural figure, inspiring a cartoon character and issuing a seemingly limitless supply of unwittingly witty epigrams known as Yogi-isms. “On behalf of the game he served with excellence and dignity, I extend my deepest condolences to Yogi’s children and grandchildren, his many friends throughout our game and his countless admirers”.
From 1946 to 1965, he was a 15-time All-Star, three-time American League MVP and member of 10 World Series champion teams as a New York Yankee.
“We mourn the passing of Yankees icon and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra“, the MLB’s official Twitter page wrote. “But egads, you gotta be somethin’ to get in”.
In a Tweet sent out about 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Yogi Berra Museum reported the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame catcher’s passing.
But as talented a player as he was, what he’ll be most remembered for is the infectiousness of his joy. For starters, he was a war hero, enlisting in the Navy and fighting in World War II from 1944-45.
I wonder if he knew where he’d end up, because when he was once asked by his wife where he wanted to be buried, Yogi replied, “I don’t know”.
Berra played in the majors from 1945 to 1965, mostly with the Yankees. Yogi Berra might have died, but he will live on among New Yorkers, baseball fans of all stripes and lovers of pop culture.
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How many players in baseball are identified by just their first name other than players like Yogi or Kirby or Mickey? I tell you the truth, Bob.
