http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9307863/yogi-berra-passed-away-was-unforgettable-figure
One of my all time favorite players and characters.
One of my all time favorite players and characters.
Sadness - Yogi Berra Dies
- Thread starter ctstorm
- Start date
beast of the east
Active member
Berra was simply one of the best baseball players who ever lived. He was a 15 time all-star, and garnered 3 MVPs, and was in the top 20 or so MVP vote getter in nearly every single full season he played. Long characterized as a bad ball hitter, incredibly he struck out about 400 times his entire career. After working with Bill Dickey early in his career, he transformed from one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball to one of the best.
Way, way beyond his accomplishments on the field, he was beloved, He transcended the image of the hated Yankees - who could dislike Yogi? He was the last iconic Yankee who played in the 40's. The mantle of great elder statesman now incredibly falls onto Whitey Ford's shoulders. It's a sad day for Yankee fans, NY fans, baseball fans, Italian-Americans, and to a real degree all Americans. I was fortunate enough to have met him some 20 years ago, and chatted with him about the hill on St. Louis, where he hailed from. His in person persona was the same as his public one.
What a treasure! I'm sad, and we SJU fans have our own treasure who we should appreciate for every minute he remains with us.
God bless Yogi and his beloved Carmen. RIP and prayers.
Way, way beyond his accomplishments on the field, he was beloved, He transcended the image of the hated Yankees - who could dislike Yogi? He was the last iconic Yankee who played in the 40's. The mantle of great elder statesman now incredibly falls onto Whitey Ford's shoulders. It's a sad day for Yankee fans, NY fans, baseball fans, Italian-Americans, and to a real degree all Americans. I was fortunate enough to have met him some 20 years ago, and chatted with him about the hill on St. Louis, where he hailed from. His in person persona was the same as his public one.
What a treasure! I'm sad, and we SJU fans have our own treasure who we should appreciate for every minute he remains with us.
God bless Yogi and his beloved Carmen. RIP and prayers.
Very sad to hear of the passing of former Mets manager Yogi Berra, who lead them to the 1973 World Series after an improbable win over the Big Red Machine for the NL pennant. A Mets coach for almost a decade, Berra's leadership of a young ball club following the sudden passing of Gil Hodges stands as a testament to his character. Prior to managing, I believe he was a catcher for the New York Yankees.
Spocky Ramone
Well-known member
I was at the last game at Shea. They were doing a countdown of the all-time Mets. They got to #3, and I could not figure out who it was - Seaver the obvious #1, Monster undoubtedly #2. Doc, Straw, Kid 8, Mex, the Koos, Tug, all announced. Then you saw Yogi on the DiamondVision, and the place exploded. IMHO, the all-time fan favorite for NY fans (sorry Willis). I don't think it was mentioned, but he picked up a ring as a coach for the Miracle Mets. Hard to believe, but he was more awesome than Yoo-Hoo!
If you count his time as a manager and coach, Yogi was a member of 21 pennant winners, and 13 World Series Championship teams.
Let's put this in perspective: He has 2 more World Series rings then the franchise with the 2nd most world series titles. He always said he was born at the right time. Luis Sojo was born at the right time. Yogi was probably what set the Yankees apart from all those other teams in the 50s (except the Dodgers, who had Campy - the Yankees pitching probably put them over the top against them).
Yogi, what a man. The list grows shorter and it only gets harder. Some of the guys went young, but I think we all knew when it would get to be Yogi's time many would hurt. With the loss ya get to thinking who's left. To Yogi's family, you all be well. To Whitey from Astoria, keep going.
ruehlj
Member
A class act and NYC icon. RIP.
My Yogi story: The day the Mets fired him, as their manager, I was walking up to the advance ticket window at Shea Stadium (no internet in the 70s). Yogi was walking out of the stadium offices. I said, "hi," and went to shake his hand. He actually pushed me out of the way, saying "get out of my way kid".
My Yogi story: The day the Mets fired him, as their manager, I was walking up to the advance ticket window at Shea Stadium (no internet in the 70s). Yogi was walking out of the stadium offices. I said, "hi," and went to shake his hand. He actually pushed me out of the way, saying "get out of my way kid".
beast of the east
Active member
For years Berra was positioned as a lovable idiot, who didn't even realize the things he was saying (speaking about a popular restaurant, "Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded" - and so on).
But then as an 80-something year old he'd speak about games he caught in the 40s and 50s, and remembered pitch counts and pitch sequences, which is uncanny. He also insisted for years that unequivocally Jackie Robinson was out when he tried to steal home in the WS. Finally a few years ago, computer enhanced footage of the play showed conclusively that Berra was indeed right.
I saw an interview with Berra where he spoke of the Normandy invasion, which was launched on a moonless night. The Nazis picked off many of the first men to hit the beach. Berra was asked if he was afraid of getting shot. "No, not at all. I was afraid of drowning." True enough, in pitch black waters landing with full packs of at least 60 lbs, when you stepped off the boat it could be 4 feet or 20 feet of water. Many men did drown. That Yogi was spared this fate was our gift.
Any long time baseball fan feels legitimate sadness at losing such an icon, such a guy that fans could relate to- the short, squat kids that the Cardinals told to go home because he'd never be a big leaguer.
But then as an 80-something year old he'd speak about games he caught in the 40s and 50s, and remembered pitch counts and pitch sequences, which is uncanny. He also insisted for years that unequivocally Jackie Robinson was out when he tried to steal home in the WS. Finally a few years ago, computer enhanced footage of the play showed conclusively that Berra was indeed right.
I saw an interview with Berra where he spoke of the Normandy invasion, which was launched on a moonless night. The Nazis picked off many of the first men to hit the beach. Berra was asked if he was afraid of getting shot. "No, not at all. I was afraid of drowning." True enough, in pitch black waters landing with full packs of at least 60 lbs, when you stepped off the boat it could be 4 feet or 20 feet of water. Many men did drown. That Yogi was spared this fate was our gift.
Any long time baseball fan feels legitimate sadness at losing such an icon, such a guy that fans could relate to- the short, squat kids that the Cardinals told to go home because he'd never be a big leaguer.
Northern Storm
Member
One of my childhood heroes along with Mickey, Whitey, Roger Maris, Bobby Richardson, Elston Howard, Tony Kubeck, Hector Lopez, Joe Pepitone, Tom Tresh, Bill Skowron, Phil Linz, Clete Boyer, Hal Reniff, Al Downing, etc. The list is endless. But Yogi was at the top, along with Mickey & Whitey, the big 3. Mickey, Yogi, & Whitey, in that order.
Yogi transcended baseball. He was one of the most loved, admired, & respected athletes and Americans in my lifetime.
I enjoyed seeing parts of Yogi's AFLAC commercial over the past few days.
Yogi transcended baseball. He was one of the most loved, admired, & respected athletes and Americans in my lifetime.
I enjoyed seeing parts of Yogi's AFLAC commercial over the past few days.