New York Yankees Legend Yogi Berra Passes Away At 90
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and 13-time World Series champion Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra has passed away at the age of 90, according to @Yogi_Museum on Twitter.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Yogi Berra passed away Tuesday night at the age of 90. #YogiBerra pic.twitter.com/0BSctBzhTb
— Yogi Berra Museum (@Yogi_Museum) September 23, 2015
Berra, a staple of the New York Yankees organization for eight decades, enjoyed one of the greatest careers of any catcher in baseball history. Several prominent names in the baseball world and outside of it have chimed in on Berra’s passing, showing respect to one of the all-time greats.
Sorry to hear of the passing of one of baseballs greatest! Words can’t describe what he meant to the game and city of New York. #YogiBerra
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) September 23, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to the Berra Family!!! Yogi you were an icon and legend to us all who play this amazing game of ??!!! #8 #YogiBerra — Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) September 23, 2015
RIP to Baseball Legend #YogiBerra #8. Sad night for the baseball world to lose such a great representation of the game we all love.
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) September 23, 2015
No! Say it ain’t so. He was a good man, my former manager and friend! RIP Yogi. https://t.co/X5SauCYQty
— Dave Winfield (@DaveWinfieldHOF) September 23, 2015
Had some great times & laffs with the Legendary Yogi Berra. One of a kind! RIP Sir!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) September 23, 2015
Despite his small stature, standing at just 5’7 and weighing 185 pounds, Berra spent 18 successful seasons with the Yankees, picking up monument-worthy accolades along the way.
Those accolades included making 15 All-Star teams, being one of just four players in history to win three American League Most Valuable Player Awards (1951, 1954, 1955), and leading the Yankees to 14 World Series, winning 10 of them. Berra also hit 350 career HR and drove in 1,430 runs.
With his tremendous on-field accomplishments, Berra was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, getting 85.61 percent of the vote. That same year, the Yankees retired Berra’s number eight, that he wore for nearly two decades.
After spending his last season as a full-time active player with the New York Mets in 1963, Berra transitioned into a managerial and coaching role within baseball. He managed his former Yankees team on two separate occasions (1964, 1984-1985) and the New York Mets (1972-1975). He would win three more World Series as a coach. First in 1969 as a coach with the Mets, and as a coach with the Yankees in 1977-1978. He also spent some time as a coach with the Houston Astros.
After being fired by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Berra’s relationship with the team became strained for several years, but he returned to the organization in 1999. With the relationship mended, Berra became a frequently seen attraction at several Old Timers’ Days and various other special events.
Besides his on-field exploits, Berra was well-known for his classic paradoxical one liners and comments, know as “Yogiisms.” Among the most famous one-liners that Berra delivered during his career are still quoted or talked about today.
- “90 percent of the game is half-mental.”
- “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
- “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours.”
- “You can observe a lot by watching.”
In the end, Berra leaves the world as one of baseball’s most recognizable, beloved and respected figures in history. Whether he was confusing the world with his Yogiisms, managing his team, coaching his team, or leading his team to the World Series, Berra always had a smile on his face and witty comment ready to go.
It’s deja-vu all over again.
R.I.P. Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra (May 12, 1925- September 22, 2015)
[Image by Brad Barket/Getty Images]
