Yogi Berra, New York Yankee

Everybody loves Yogi Berra, if not for all hisin favor of his neighborhood friend Joe Garagiola. It
dedicated years as a professional baseball player andwas later revealed that the head of the St Louis ball
manager, then his command of the English languageclub Branch Rickey, was leaving the organization to
and unique delivery of it. Born May 12, 1925 in St.head up the Brooklyn Dodgers team and he wanted
Louis, Missouri, Laurence Peter Berra grew up in anto sign him up for this organization. The New York
Italian neighborhood known as The Hill. He had 3 olderYankees beat Rickey to it when they they signed
brothers and an older sister. His original nickname wasBerra up giving him a $500 signing bonus.
"Lawdie" due to his mother's difficulty in pronouncingDue to his stint in the US Navy during WWII his
Larry correctly. Interesting to note; Berra grew up inbaseball career was put on hold. It wasn't until 1946
the same neighborhood as Joe Garagiola and boththat Berra was playing in the major leagues. He
attended South Side Catholic School. Berra quit schoolexcelled with the Yankees and became the games
after the 8th grade.best catcher. His accomplishments in baseball are
His got his famous nickname from a friend whonumerous; he played in 14 World Series with 10
thought Berra resembled a Hindu holy man or yogichampionships. He played in 75 World Series games
that they had seen in the movies together. Hishe and was at bat 259 times with 71 hits, a.274
famous and unusual nickname together with his flairbattling average. Yogi was a 15 time All Star, received
for the English language earned him a special spot inthe leagues MVP award 3 times. It should also be
the hearts of sports fans everywhere.noted that this very capable professional player
Yogi first played baseball in the American Legionreceived MVP votes for 15 consecutive years never
Leagues. This is where he learned the basics playingfinishing below the fourth position. He was and still is
both in the outfield and infield positions. In 1942 Yogiloved by the professional baseball players and the
was turned down to play with the St Louis Cardinalsfans.