1925 - 2015 (Age 90)
Baseball great Yogi Berra died Tuesday of natural causes. He was 90.
Berra was a New York baseball stalwart, playing for the Yankees for most of his career and the Mets for a single year, then later coaching and managing both teams. But he was born May 12, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Italian immigrants.
Signing with the Yankees in 1946, Berra joined a team that was recovering from losing some of its best players to World War II – Berra himself had served in the U.S. Navy. A catcher, he became one of the stars of the team's postwar years, alongside teammates including Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. These were spectacular years for the Yankees: In Berra's 18 seasons with the team, they went to the World Series 14 times and won 10 times. Berra holds the records for most World Series appearances as well as most World Series wins. He was also an All-Star in 15 seasons and was the American League MVP three times.
Berra retired from the Yankees in 1963, signing on as manager of the team. He was quickly fired after the Yankees lost that season's World Series bid, then signed as a coach by the Mets. In addition to coaching, he played in several games in his first season as the Mets' coach. He was with the Mets until 1975 and later became bench coach for the Houston Astros.
Berra's career batting average was .285, with 358 home runs and 1,430 RBIs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Yankees retired his No. 8. In retirement, he became involved with the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center at New Jersey's Montclair State University.
Berra was famous not only for his baseball talents, but also for his amusingly mangled aphorisms. Some of his most popular quotes include, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it;" "The future ain't what it used to be;" and "If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else." Berra once famously responded to an inquiry about his odd quotes by saying, "I really didn't say everything I said."
Berra was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Berra, in 2014. Three sons survive him.
Thanks Yogi for being a good baseball player, a great humourist, an good human being. I know of If don't say nice things about people at their funeral, they won't reply to mine. Oh, I also think Jackie was out.
Mike E.
January 17, 2025
When there's a fork in the road take it that's what you taught me. You also tought me it aint over till its over and now its over.
Walter henry
November 15, 2024
My husband John met you and played ball with Larry when he was young and he looked up to you and loved you as did the entire world!You left a mark that will never be forgotten and a love story for movies❤
May 16, 2023
Yogi was my favorite baseball player of all time aside from being my second couson by marrage to Carmen, i last saw him several years before he passed.
Dennis Mcleod
May 22, 2021 | Kansas City, MO | Family
you were the best yogi your old pal bob
bob prince
December 08, 2018 | Pgh, PA
Have been sadly missed! Great on any ball field you played! Fantastic catcher, hitter AND a pretty fab coach! I'm sure you made starting lineup on the BIG TEAM in the sky! Thank you for ALL the great games and fantastic plays, you'll never be forgotten!
September 22, 2017
I guess it's really over. RIP
Jim Allison
September 22, 2016 | Peabody, MA
Condolences to the Berra family, the Berra name means so much to Major League baseball. Thanks for one's dedication and lifetime achievements...PRAYERS and BLESSINGS to family
Valenda Newell
June 29, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
His talent, enthusiasm, and aspirations in life were the real home run for baseball. He will truly be missed, specially his quotes that were amused at times, but memorable. My hearts goes to the family. May the God of all comfort strengthen them to endure their loss. Psalms 9:9.
October 15, 2015
