New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra has died at the age of 90. Getty
Legendary New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra has died at the age of 90.
The Yogi Berra Museum announced the baseball legend’s death on Twitter, saying he passed away Tuesday night.
“It is with a profound sense of loss and heartfelt sorrow that the Board of Directors of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center shares the news that Yogi Berra has passed away,” a post on the museum’s Facebook page reads. “Yogi conducted his life with unwavering integrity, humility and a contagious good humor that elevated him from baseball legend to beloved national icon.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Turned 90 in May & Had Been at an Assisted Living Facility in New Jersey
We mourn the passing of Yankees icon and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. http://t.co/60mwHGj33R
Berra turned 90 in May and had been at an assisted living facility in New Jersey. Berra’s wife of 65 years, Carmen, passed away last year from complications of a stroke.
According to a USA Today article on his birthday, Berra had been hospitalized in May with pneumonia-like symptoms. He was not able to make an appearance at the annual Old Timers Day festivities at Yankee Stadium in June.
2. He Is Survived by His 3 Sons & 11 Grandchildren
Yogi Berra with his wife, Carmen, in 2007. (Getty)
Berra is survived by his three sons, Larry, Tim and Dale, and 11 grandchildren. His son, Dale, played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, while Tim played football for the Baltimore Colts.
Yogi and his wife, Carmen, raised their sons in Montclair, New Jersey. The home was sold soon after Carmen’s death.
3. Berra Played Pro Baseball for 19 Years & Is Considered One of the Best Catchers of All-Time
Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, began his major league career with the New York Yankees in 1946, after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He played nearly his entire career with the Yankees, from 1946 to 1963, playing just one season with the New York Mets in 1965. He was also a manager,for the Yankees (1964, 1984-85), and New York Mets (1972-1975).
Berra was a 15-time All-Star, played or managed in 21 World Series championships, winning 13 times. He finished his career with a .285 batting average, 358 home runs and 1,430 RBI.
4. He Was Elected Into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972
A general view of the plaque dedicated to Lawerence Peter “Yogi” Berra at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.(Getty)
Berra was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. His number 8 was retired that same year by the Yankees.
He was also voted onto the Major League Baseball All-Century team by the fans in 1999.
5. Berra Is Also Known for His Iconic ‘Yogiisims’
Berra will be remembered as one of the best catchers of all-time, but his sayings, known as Yogiisms, transcended baseball (see some of his top quotes in the video above). Berra’s famous lines include “It ain’t over till its over,” and “It’s deja vu all over again.”
Berra, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame’s website, earned his nickname while growing up in St. Louis, while playing American Legion Baseball:
One afternoon, after attending a movie that had a short piece on India, a friend Jack McGuire Jr. noticed a resemblance between him and the “yogi,” or person who practiced yoga, on the screen. McGuire said ‘I’m going to call you Yogi,’ and from that moment on, the name stuck.
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Yogi Berra Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know