Yogi Berra

Name: Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra

Introduction: Yogi Berra was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and coach. He is widely considered one of the greatest catchers in baseball history and is an iconic figure in American popular culture, known not only for his unparalleled success with the New York Yankees but also for his unique, often paradoxical, and famously witty sayings, known as “Yogisms.”

Date of birth: May 12, 1925

Died: September 22, 2015 (aged 90)

Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)

Place of birth: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. (He grew up in “The Hill,” an Italian-American neighborhood).

Family:

Parents’ names: Pietro Berra (father, Italian immigrant brickyard worker) and Paulina (née Longoni) Berra (mother, Italian immigrant).
Siblings: He was the youngest of five children. He had three older brothers (Anthony, Mike, John) and a younger sister (Josephine).
Spouse: Carmen Berra (née Short) (m. 1949; died 2014). She was a former dancing instructor.
Children:
- Larry Berra (son)
- Tim Berra (son)
- Dale Berra (son, former Major League Baseball infielder)
Relatives: His parents, siblings, wife, and three sons.

Profession: Professional baseball player (catcher), manager, coach.

Nationality: American (of Italian descent)

Religion: Catholic. He attended South Side Catholic (now St. Mary’s High School) with his childhood friend and fellow future MLB catcher, Joe Garagiola.

College or university attended: None. Yogi Berra went directly into professional baseball after high school, having signed with the Yankees in 1943. He later became associated with Montclair State University, where the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center is located.

Biography and What Famous For:

Yogi Berra grew up in a working-class Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis, where he earned his famous nickname “Yogi” from a friend who thought he resembled a Hindu yogi in a travelogue, sitting cross-legged while waiting to bat. He signed with the New York Yankees in 1943, though his career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he participated in the D-Day landings.

He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Yankees in 1946. Despite his unconventional physique (stocky, short), he quickly proved to be a formidable hitter and a superb catcher.

Yogi Berra is most famous for:

Unprecedented World Series Success as a Player: He won 10 World Series championships as a player with the New York Yankees, more than any other player in MLB history. He appeared in an incredible 14 World Series over his 18 seasons with the team.
Three-time American League MVP: He was voted the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1951, 1954, and 1955.
18-time All-Star: A testament to his consistent excellence throughout his career.
His role as a Catcher: He was renowned for his excellent handling of pitchers, his quickness behind the plate, and his ability to field the position despite his physical build.
“Yogisms” (Famous Quotes): Beyond his baseball achievements, Berra became a cultural icon for his unintentional yet profound and often humorous malapropisms and paradoxical statements. These “Yogisms” have entered the American lexicon, making him famous far beyond sports fans. Some of the most beloved include:
- “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
- “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
- “It’s deja vu all over again.”
- “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”
- “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
Managerial and Coaching Career: After retiring as a player, he managed both the New York Yankees (1964, 1984-1985) and the New York Mets (1972-1975), leading both teams to the World Series (Yankees in 1964, Mets in 1973). He also served as a coach for both teams and the Houston Astros.
Baseball Hall of Fame: He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Berra remained a beloved figure in baseball and beyond until his death in 2015. His number 8 jersey was retired by the New York Yankees. The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center at Montclair State University preserves his legacy, including his military service, baseball career, and impact on language.

Have participated (Selected Career Highlights):

Playing Career (Catcher):

New York Yankees (1946–1963)
New York Mets (1965)

Managerial Career:

New York Yankees (1964)
New York Mets (1972–1975)
New York Yankees (1984–1985)

Coaching Career:

New York Mets (1965–1971, 1976)
Houston Astros (1980–1983)
New York Yankees (1976–1979, 1986–1992)

Major Honours as Player:

World Series Champion: 10 (1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)
American League MVP: 3 (1951, 1954, 1955)
MLB All-Star: 18 (1948–1962, 1965)
SABR Defensive Player of the Year: 1 (1954)

Major Honours as Manager: