[zybar]

America lost an icon and hero last night when Yogi Berra passed away at age 90.

While I never got to see Yogi play, my grandfather, uncle, and dad all did and thought he was one of the best players of his era.  As a lifelong Yankee fan, I loved seeing him at Yankee Stadium or hearing him on broadcasts.

Besides being an 18 time all-star and a 10 time World Series champion, and cultural icon who transcended sports, he also served his country in WWII. 

Berra joined the Navy and took part in the invasion of Normandy and, two months later, in Operation Dragoon, an Allied assault on Marseilles in which he was bloodied by a bullet and earned a Purple Heart.

While Yogi is arguably one of the top two catchers ever (Bench is just nudges him out for the top spot), he is universally known as one the nicest people you would ever meet.

I think NYC did a nice tribute by lighting up the Empire State Building in pinstripes tonight:







We will miss you Yogi!!

George



 

[zybar]

Great article on Yogi as a player:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/yogi-berra-1925-2015/

George

[Phil A]

+1 on the above.  I remember well growing up in NYC.  With all the great players the Yankees had of that era, he was somewhat overlooked and taken for granted.

[ArthurDent]

A good life for a good man. He will be missed by many.

[JerryM]

We've lost an icon. Rest in peace, Yogi.

[vinyl_guy]

He made the Hill in St. Louis very proud. A great baseball player and a great human being. As a life long Cardinal fan (the 2nd most storied franchise in baseball), I always had great respect for Yogi. I remember watching the World Series with my mom and dad when the Yanks played the Dodgers and Berra and Campanella were the catchers. Great memories.

RIP Yogi

[Russell Dawkins]

An inspiration, worldwide.

[Emil]

“A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” 

http://nypost.com/2015/09/23/35-of-yogi-berras-most-memorable-quotes/