Full Name : Lawrence Peter Berra
Born : May 12, 1925
Hometown : St. Louis, Missouri
Height : 5' 8
Weight : 194 lbs
Bats : Left
Throws : Right
Major League Baseball debut : September 22, 1946 for the New York Yankees
Family : wife, Carmen; children, Dale Berra, Tim Berra
Primary Position : Catcher/Manager
Many baseball players get remembered for the impact that they had on the game. However, not too many players can credit themselves with the honor of managing a ball club as well. Yogi Berra has been just one of few baseball figures in major league history to succeed both as a player and manager.
Yogi was fortunate enough to play on the New York Yankees during one of their hottest streaks in franchise history. Throughout his 19-year tenure with the organization, Berra made 14 World Series appearances and captured 10 championships. As a result of this success, Yogi was crowned with several honors, including records for World Series at-bats (259), games played (75), and catcher putouts (457). Due to his stocky physique, sportswriters referred to him as the “Little Squat Man.”
Aside from his offensive contributions, Berra was a leader on the field as well. Pitchers enjoyed communicating with him, and many refer to him as one of the best at calling a game. As a Yankee, Yogi put up stellar defensive numbers, and he even went on to set the record for all-time American League catcher putouts (8,723). What's even more fascinating are the 88 errorless games that Yogi caught in 1958. No doubt a Yankee favorite, Berra finished his playing career and set a mark by becoming 1 of only 4 American League players to win the Most Valuable Player honors on four separate occasions.
His impact in baseball did not end as a player. After he helped lead the Yankees to a World Series in 1963, Yogi was offered a position as the Yankee skipper and gladly accepted. However, due to his short temper and anger towards his players, Berra was fired after an unfortunate turn of events. Yogi grew frustrated with the decision of the New York organization, and to pay back his old team he returned as a player with the cross-town rivaling New York Mets.
Berra appeared in just 4 games with the Mets, but he did go on to become the team's everyday manager in 1972. It was during this same year that Yogi was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a noteworthy honor. Yogi went on to coach/manage with the New York Mets for a total of 8 seasons, and unlike his playing days he did not find much success. Surprisingly, he returned to the Yankees organization in 1976, and his old position as manager was eventually handed back to him. However, another scuffle arose when Yankee owner George Steinbrenner sent a letter to Berra notifying him that his contract as manager would be terminated. This action by Steinbrenner created a grudge that would go on to last almost 15 years. Despite all the controversy surrounding Berra and the New York Yankee organization, Yogi will go down as one of the most influential figures in baseball history.
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