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Yogi Berra

by Joel from Roxboro

"I didn't say everything I said."
Yogi's great personality (google images)
Yogi's great personality (google images)

Yogi Berra or Lawrence Peter Berra won the hearts of millions. He did this with his record-breaking catching and batting, his appearances in Major League Baseball World Series (a record fourteen appearances) and his many all-star years. But, he is best remembered for his affection and admiration for his peers and the public. His outstanding kindness and great humor remain the thing that legends are made of, and that people desire to have. The Hall of Famer is not only a hero for many, including myself, but an idol. His quotes are numerous and very well known including "It ain't over till it's over."

Yogi's Powerful Swing (google images)
Yogi's Powerful Swing (google images)

Yogi was born on May 12, 1925. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri in a part if the city called "The Hill". He played every sport he could. He was very talented football player also. He got his nickname from a friend who said he resembled a Hindu holy man or a yogi they had seen in a movie. And the name stuck. In 1942 the New York Yankees signed him for $500 and sent him to a minor league team. When he turned 18, he joined the Navy instead if playing and was actually part of D-day in the invasion of Normandy. He was to invade Omaha beach which was the bloodiest landing area for D-day. After he got back from the Navy in 1946 he was called up to the Yankees. Over the next 19 years as a catcher, not only did Yogi dominate baseball, but so did his team, the Yankees. "[Yogi] is the toughest man to get out in baseball!" accordng to Paul Richards. This was because of his "wild swing" or ability to swing at anything and actually hit it with his amazing bat speed. According to many people "[Yogi] could catch up to a ball that was already past him and hit it out of the park." Major League Baseball players said many things about him including that he was a talker behind the plate which meant he liked to talk to opposing players. He once told Hank Aaron to hit with the label up on the bat. Aaron finally said to Yogi, "I came up here to hit not read." Yogi could always back his talking up with his experiences. He was a 15-time all-star, American League MVP 3 times, played in 14 World Series and holds numerous records all in 19 seasons. He is referred to many as the best catcher ever.

A plaque in honor of Yogi (Google Images)
A plaque in honor of Yogi (Google Images)

After he retired from the Yankees, Yogi was hired as the Yankees manager but fired soon after. He became the Mets manager in 1972 and in the same year was nominated for the Hall of Fame and inducted with 85.61% vote. In 1973 Yogi brought the last place Mets to win the National league pennant and a close game in the World Series. He stayed the Mets manager two more seasons before he went to coach the Yankees.

He stayed there another season and 22 games of another before he was replaced. Yogi is one of only a few managers to have won pennants in both the American and National Leagues. He also is a member of baseball's All-Century Team. His number 8 jersey was retired by the New York Yankees in 1972, the same year he was elected into the Hall of Fame.

Yogi is not just my idol because he was great man with his humor and kindness. He was a catcher like me and a great one at that. I wish I could also quote funny things quite as well as he could. He dropped out of school to help his family make a living. If that is not unselfishness I do not know what is. Yogi was a great competitor. He had great sportsmanship and respect for other players, umpires and fans. Yogi is a great man that deserves respect on every level, as a peer, player, coach and much more. Without him the Yankees would not have been the greatest franchise and dynasty ever to exist. If not for Yogi there is a possibility that the Yankees could not have been the successful franchise they are.

Page created on 6/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 6/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

Yogi Berra: Offical Website - Plenty of info on Yogi's personal website.
Yogi Berra Museum - Great sight for Yogi-ism (Yogi's quotes)

Bibliography

Yogi Berra Museum. "Yogi Berra Museum ." [Online] Available http://www.yogiberramuseum.org/.

Group and Yogi Berra, Anteater design . "Yogi Barra: Offical Website." [Online] Available http://www.yogiberra.com/.