http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/23/yogi-berra-baseball-hall-of-famer-and-new-york-yankees-catcher-dies-at-90
QuoteYogi Berra, baseball Hall of Famer and New York Yankees catcher, dies at 90
Berra, who won 10 World Series championships as a player and was American League MVP three times, is considered one of the greatest catchers of all time
Baseball player Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra, one of the most successful catchers of all time, has died at the age of 90, the Yogi Berra Museum has announced.
Berra, who died of natural causes on Tuesday at his home in New Jersey, was part of the New York Yankees dynasty that dominated baseball through the 1950s. He played almost his whole career for the club, making only four appearances for the crosstown New York Mets while he was managing them.
"While we mourn the loss of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, we know he is at peace with Mom," Berra's family said in a statement released by the museum. "We celebrate his remarkable life, and are thankful he meant so much to so many. He will truly be missed."
He retired after 2,120 major league games with a batting average of .285, and hit 358 home runs in his career. He played in more World Series games than any other Major League Baseball player, was a three-time American League Most Valuable Player, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
He won 10 World Series with the Yankees, and a further three after his playing career finished in coaching roles.
Berra also became well known for an array of colourful quotes, such as: "If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else"; "When you come to a fork in the road ... take it"; "It's like deja vu, all over again"; and, reflecting on his reputation: "I never said most of the things I said."
His "Yogi-isms" were repeated by presidents, businessmen, celebrities and anyone else who wanted to sound wise, funny, folksy, or all three. The cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him, something he did not appreciate. "I don't know why I say these things," he once told Reuters. "But people understand me."
Born in St. Louis on 12 May 1925, the son of poor Italian immigrants, he was forced to drop out of school in the eighth grade and go to work to help support his family. He took jobs in a coal yard, as a truck driver and in a shoe factory. At the same time, he played amateur baseball, which brought him to the attention of major league scouts.
He often told the story of a friend who said he resembled a Hindu yogi whenever he sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat, and the name stuck.
In 1943, his first professional season with the Yankees' farm team in Norfolk, Virginia, was interrupted by the second world war. He joined the navy and later served on a gunboat supporting the D-Day invasion. After the war he became a Yankee regular by 1947.
He married his wife, Carmen, two years later. The couple, who met in St. Louis, had three sons, including Dale, who played in the major leagues as an infielder.
He published three books: his autobiography in 1961; "It Ain't Over" in 1989; and "The Yogi Book: I Really Didn't Say Everything I Said" in 1998. The last made The New York Times' best seller list.
In 1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the state university in Montclair, New Jersey, where he and his family lived. The university also named its baseball stadium for him, while the adjoining Yogi Berra Museum opened in 1998.
Colleagues said Berra always maintained a sunny disposition. "There are probably a half a dozen people in the world that are universally loved. Everybody loves Yogi," former teammate Jim Bouton told the Boston Globe. "There's an essential sweetness about him. He's without guile. That's about as kind of a thing you can say about a human being. He's one of the great people in the world."
Berra, survived by three sons – Larry, Tim and Dale – as well as 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, was once asked by Carmen: "Yogi, you are from St. Louis, we live in New Jersey, and you played ball in New York. If you go before I do, where would you like me to have you buried?"
Berra replied: "I don't know, surprise me."
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pophistorydig.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2F1960-hitting-home-run-610.jpg&hash=27cd029135cd0466eb89434ff1f733adb876075d)
:(
He had a great life, RIP :(
A true American legend. He will be missed. It was nice knowing he was around.
RIP old man.
RIP
For a moment I was scared Yogi the Bear died.
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 08:42:11 AM
For a moment I was scared Yogi the Bear died.
He died when that movie came out.
Was he: smarter than the average catcher?
RIP
No one will go to the funeral, it's too crowded. But you should always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. ;)
It ain't over till it's over.
RIP
Quote from: KRonn on September 23, 2015, 09:15:28 AM
RIP
No one will go to the funeral, it's too crowded. But you should always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. ;)
:lmfao:
:thumbsup:
RIP :(
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 08:42:11 AM
For a moment I was scared Yogi the Bear died.
Close ...
QuoteYogi's name was similar to that of contemporary baseball star Yogi Berra, who was known for his amusing quotes, such as "half the lies they tell about me aren't true." Berra sued Hanna-Barbera for defamation, but their management claimed that the similarity of the names was just a coincidence. Berra withdrew his suit, but the defense was considered implausible and sources now report that Berra was the inspiration for the name.[8] At the time Yogi Bear first hit TV screens, Yogi Berra was a household name.
Wow, the guy sounds like a twat. Even if the character's name is based on his, I fail to see how this would constitute defamation of character.
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
Wow, the guy sounds like a twat. Even if the character's name is based on his, I fail to see how this would constitute defamation of character.
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Not in north america I would say.
His one-liners are just so classic. "It's like deja vu all over again".
The Yogi quote best geared to this forum: "Even Napoleon had his Watergate."
Oh look, Marty's classing up another RIP thread.
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Maybe your world
Fair winds and following seas Guns.
http://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/yogi-berras-u-s-navy-service-came-before-baseball-fame/
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
Wow, the guy sounds like a twat. Even if the character's name is based on his, I fail to see how this would constitute defamation of character.
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Hey Marty: Fuck you.
Marti, I think you're looking for the psychopath thread.
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 08:42:11 AM
For a moment I was scared Yogi the Bear died.
He's the man the bear was named after.
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2015, 09:43:03 PM
Marti, I think you're looking for the psychopath thread.
It's not his fault, he grew up in classless society.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 23, 2015, 09:54:45 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2015, 09:43:03 PM
Marti, I think you're looking for the psychopath thread.
It's not his fault, he grew up in classless society.
:lol:
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 23, 2015, 07:21:49 PM
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Maybe your world
That's why I said globally. Pretty sure most people in Europe or Asia haven't heard of Yogi Berra (or in fact any baseball players) - whereas most have seen Yogi the Bear cartoons.
Quote from: Barrister on September 23, 2015, 04:55:13 PM
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
Wow, the guy sounds like a twat. Even if the character's name is based on his, I fail to see how this would constitute defamation of character.
In any case, by now the name "Yogi Bear" is better known globally than "Yogi Berra" by a magnitude of at least 10.
Not in north america I would say.
His one-liners are just so classic. "It's like deja vu all over again".
Were they deliberately construed to be ironic/funny?
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
Well, all I said is that someone who sues Yogi the Bear sounds like a twat. I will take your word for it that outside of this one thing, he was a swell guy. But my point still stands - outside of North America, most people haven't heard of him.
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
He didn't sue Yogi the Bear, he sued Warner Brothers, not exactly the same thing.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 24, 2015, 12:03:47 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
He didn't sue Yogi the Bear, he sued Warner Brothers, not exactly the same thing.
Ok, so he sued Yogi's parents.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 24, 2015, 12:03:47 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
He didn't sue Yogi the Bear, he sued Warner Brothers, not exactly the same thing.
Only lawyers care about that sort of distinction.
Oh, and probably my favorite Yogi Berra story: he was reminiscing to some newspaper reporters about a game which was interrupted by a streaker. "Was it a man, or a woman?" asked the reporters. "I couldn't tell," said Yogi, "they had a bag over their head."
:lol:
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 11:55:46 PM
Were they deliberately construed to be ironic/funny?
No, he was being quite earnest.
Quote from: Martinus on September 24, 2015, 12:00:25 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
Well, all I said is that someone who sues Yogi the Bear sounds like a twat. I will take your word for it that outside of this one thing, he was a swell guy. But my point still stands - outside of North America, most people haven't heard of him.
Syt started the thread. And yeah he was a huge baseball star in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Not exactly an international sport and not exactly a time Poland was open to American culture.
I fail to see the relevance.
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 09:01:36 AM
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 11:55:46 PM
Were they deliberately construed to be ironic/funny?
No, he was being quite earnest.
Though it seems a lot of them were incorrectly attributed to him (but if you have someone so quotable that's bound to happen).
Quote from: Martinus on September 24, 2015, 12:06:00 AM
Ok, so he sued Yogi's parents.
People who sue giant media corporations for naming a product after you without your permission: twats? Anyway he dropped the lawsuit so your sweet little corporate giant came out of it ok Mart.
Quote from: Syt on September 24, 2015, 09:05:39 AM
Though it seems a lot of them were incorrectly attributed to him (but if you have someone so quotable that's bound to happen).
That's certainly true, but he also came up with the vast majority that i have seen attributed to him. Of course, he knew what he was doing. The saving grace was that he didn't make a big deal out of it, and pretended to not understand why people were laughing at his bon mots. Plus, many of them were quite spontaneous and authentic; he didn't seem to spend any time trying to come up with them and then steer the conversation to where he could use them. Quite a number came from press conferences where he didn't control the topic.
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 05:05:49 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 24, 2015, 12:03:47 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on September 23, 2015, 10:09:28 PM
It must be confusing to Marty...crapping on people in their rip thread has been done on languish before. How would he know the guy who sued Yogi the Bear was respected and loved? Aside from reading the other posts in the thread, or a quick google, of course.
He didn't sue Yogi the Bear, he sued Warner Brothers, not exactly the same thing.
Only lawyers care about that sort of distinction.
:lol:
Very well done.
:lol: I just got it. :blush:
Quote from: Syt on September 24, 2015, 09:05:39 AM
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 09:01:36 AM
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2015, 11:55:46 PM
Were they deliberately construed to be ironic/funny?
No, he was being quite earnest.
Though it seems a lot of them were incorrectly attributed to him (but if you have someone so quotable that's bound to happen).
"I really didn't say everything I said"
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11947774_10153638381337451_2493265044867585955_o.jpg)
Fahdiz linked this on facebook :lol:
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 06:13:52 AM
Oh, and probably my favorite Yogi Berra story: he was reminiscing to some newspaper reporters about a game which was interrupted by a streaker. "Was it a man, or a woman?" asked the reporters. "I couldn't tell," said Yogi, "they had a bag over their head."
:lol:
Warner claims the Yogi Bear lawsuit never happened; once again proving the dangers of over-reliance on Wikipedia. That said, people of public prominence are well-advised to take some care about the use of their names for promotional and commercial purposes, and so a lawsuit in that circumstance would be perfectly natural and not reflect poorly on the person who brought it.
Also I want to second grumbler's comments; some of obits and coverage may perpetrate the myth of Yogi as an linguistically challenged, uneducated rube. Yogi's best friend, Joe Garigiola, eventually became a popular broadcaster and media personality, and loved to tell often highly embellished stories. Garigiola, with the best of intentions, helped popularize the "funny" image of Berra and as grumblers says, Yogi was content to play along. It's detracted from the reality of Yogi's successful career as a manager and captain of the most successful team in baseball history. A number of articles commented on his ability to handle a pitching staff, but that IMO understates the matter. The fact is that there was a long line of pitchers in that era that had success for the Yankees and not so much elsewhere. That ability was well recognized at the time and commented on - which is why he won 3 MVP awards with competition like Mantle, Williams, Kaline. But that aspect of Yogi the man gradually receded behind Yogi the stock character.
Well the stock character was loved by all. The excellence on the baseball field is only appreciated by baseball people.
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 11:27:19 AM
Well the stock character was loved by all. The excellence on the baseball field is only appreciated by baseball people.
While he was in later years portrayed as a kind uncle, I understand his performance on field was quite fierce.
Quote from: Syt on September 24, 2015, 11:38:17 AM
I understand his performance on field was quite fierce.
He was the cornerstone of the greatest dynasty in American sports history for a reason.
Yogi Berra appeared in 14 World Series (and helped lead his team to 10 championships) in his 19-year career. 53% of his seasons as a pro ended with a world championship! That's one of the most astonishing records in sports, and almost assuredly will never be broken.
One of the most telling facts about him is that Marti is the only person in history who has ever had a negative thing to say about him.
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
That's one of the most astonishing records in sports, and almost assuredly will never be broken.
Well he had a contemporary who did. Bill Russell. I guess the equivalency depends on what you think about the NBA during that era.
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
That's one of the most astonishing records in sports, and almost assuredly will never be broken.
Well he had a contemporary who did. Bill Russell. I guess the equivalency depends on what you think about the NBA during that era.
Equivalent in the sense that they were/are both extraordinary men on and off their field of play
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 24, 2015, 12:18:13 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
That's one of the most astonishing records in sports, and almost assuredly will never be broken.
Well he had a contemporary who did. Bill Russell. I guess the equivalency depends on what you think about the NBA during that era.
Equivalent in the sense that they were/are both extraordinary men on and off their field of play
I meant the equivalency of their championship runs, not as people
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 12:41:33 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 24, 2015, 12:18:13 PM
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 12:00:50 PM
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
That's one of the most astonishing records in sports, and almost assuredly will never be broken.
Well he had a contemporary who did. Bill Russell. I guess the equivalency depends on what you think about the NBA during that era.
Equivalent in the sense that they were/are both extraordinary men on and off their field of play
I meant the equivalency of their championship runs, not as people
And I mean equivalency as both.
RIP
I guess it really is over.... :(
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 24, 2015, 01:45:40 PM
And I mean equivalency as both.
Yes but I meant something different.
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 02:21:49 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 24, 2015, 01:45:40 PM
And I mean equivalency as both.
Yes but I meant something different.
ok, but lets take the discussion about whether basketball championships were equivalent to baseball world series wins somewhere else. Only Grumbler and JR can answer that. Grumbler because he has first hand knowledge and JR based on his encyclopedic knowledge of baseball.
At least Baseketball had Victoria Silvstedt.
IMO its a little easier to have dynastic runs in basketball but that is a another discussion. The comparison to Russell overall though I think is apt; both played "central" positions on a dynasty and were recognized by contemporaries as having bigger impact than their already impressive numbers would suggest.
The Stengel era Yankees dynasty always interested me because Mantle aside, the frontline talent wasn't as impressive as the Yankees of the murderers row era or 1936-41 teams. Those 50s teams were full of role players, platoon players, and guys whose names are only familiar to hard core fans - McDougall, Woodling, Bauer, Carey, Coleman, Skowron, Cerv, Collins, Noren, Blanchard, Siebern, Dr. Bobby Brown. After Whitey Ford, the pitching situation was similar - guys like Tommy Byrne, Larsen, Sturdivant, Kuzava, Kucks, Terry, Ditmar, who had a few good years pitching for the Yankees, mostly washing out elsewhere. When you look at those teams and the players cycling in and out over the decade, it's hard to conceive how they were so dominant year after year. Stengel himself gave credit to Berra, the writers of the time concurred, and its hard to avoid the fact of pitching staffs overachieving on their talent.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on September 24, 2015, 10:45:32 PM
IMO its a little easier to have dynastic runs in basketball but that is a another discussion. The comparison to Russell overall though I think is apt; both played "central" positions on a dynasty and were recognized by contemporaries as having bigger impact than their already impressive numbers would suggest.
The Stengel era Yankees dynasty always interested me because Mantle aside, the frontline talent wasn't as impressive as the Yankees of the murderers row era or 1936-41 teams. Those 50s teams were full of role players, platoon players, and guys whose names are only familiar to hard core fans - McDougall, Woodling, Bauer, Carey, Coleman, Skowron, Cerv, Collins, Noren, Blanchard, Siebern, Dr. Bobby Brown. After Whitey Ford, the pitching situation was similar - guys like Tommy Byrne, Larsen, Sturdivant, Kuzava, Kucks, Terry, Ditmar, who had a few good years pitching for the Yankees, mostly washing out elsewhere. When you look at those teams and the players cycling in and out over the decade, it's hard to conceive how they were so dominant year after year. Stengel himself gave credit to Berra, the writers of the time concurred, and its hard to avoid the fact of pitching staffs overachieving on their talent.
I was more-or-less named after Stengel. -_-
I still despise the Yankees though.
I bet you do, they use to fleece the old KC team.
Ah the A's.
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2015, 12:00:50 PM
Well he had a contemporary who did. Bill Russell. I guess the equivalency depends on what you think about the NBA during that era.
Bah, you are only disproving my point by using evidence. Without evidence, you'd have no chance.
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
One of the most telling facts about him is that Marti is the only person in history who has ever had a negative thing to say about him.
:yeahright:
Well, the only one who said anything bad in grumbler's presence.
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2015, 07:22:52 AM
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
One of the most telling facts about him is that Marti is the only person in history who has ever had a negative thing to say about him.
:yeahright:
:yeahright:
This "totally
non sequitur emoticon" thing is fun! Here's another :bowler:
Quote from: grumbler on September 25, 2015, 04:09:45 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 25, 2015, 07:22:52 AM
Quote from: grumbler on September 24, 2015, 11:54:07 AM
One of the most telling facts about him is that Marti is the only person in history who has ever had a negative thing to say about him.
:yeahright:
:yeahright:
This "totally non sequitur emoticon" thing is fun! Here's another :bowler:
:mellow:
:yuk:
:unsure:
:cthulu:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.com%2Fa%2Fimg219%2F8384%2Frollbarfpw3.gif&hash=68b9d0a4fb3f0c8f2b5199b8488fe444ff57aa29)
:Canuck: