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Yogi Berra Passes Away At Age 90

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  • Yogi Berra Passes Away At Age 90

    Yogi Berra, New York Yankees legend and Hall of Famer, dies at age 90

    Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his unique way of turning a phrase as for his record 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, has died. He was 90.

    Berra died of natural causes Tuesday at his home in New Jersey, according to Dave Kaplan, the director of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.

    "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."

    The Yankees announced they would honor Berra by wearing the No. 8 on their left sleeve in Wednesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

    Berra's death came exactly 69 years after his major league debut. On Sept. 22, 1946, Berra homered in his second major league plate appearance in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Athletics.

    In a statement released Wednesday, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said that "Berra's legacy transcends baseball."

    "He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That's what made him such a national treasure. On behalf of my family and the entire Yankees organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Yogi's family, friends and loved ones," he said.

    Short, squat and with a homely mug, Berra was a legendary Yankee who helped the team reach 14 World Series during his 18 seasons in the Bronx.

    Berra played in more World Series games than any other major leaguer and was a three-time American League MVP. A 15-time All-Star, Berra was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

    "Renowned as a great teammate, Yogi stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all. With his trademark humility and good humor, Yogi represented only goodwill to baseball fans," Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

    "Yogi Berra was a beacon of Americana, and today Major League Baseball and all of its clubs stand together in mourning his passing and celebrating his memory. On behalf of the game he served with excellence and dignity, I extend my deepest condolences to Yogi's children and grandchildren, his many friends throughout our game and his countless admirers," the commissioner added.

    Berra's name appears almost as often in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations as it does in baseball's record book.

    "It ain't over 'til it's over" is among eight "Yogi-isms" included in Bartlett's.

    "When I'm sittin' down to dinner with the family, stuff just pops out. And they'll say, 'Dad, you just said another one.' And I don't even know what the heck I said," Berra insisted.

    Berra played for the Yankees from 1949 to '65. His teammates included fellow Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.

    In 1956, he caught the only perfect game in World Series history and, after the last out, leaped into pitcher Don Larsen's arms. The famous moment was captured in photographs published in newspapers around the world.

    After his playing days, Berra coached or managed the Yankees, New York Mets and Houston Astros. He managed the Yankees (1964) and Mets (1973) to the World Series.

    In 1985, his firing as manager by the Yankees 16 games into the season sparked a feud with owner George Steinbrenner. Berra vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium as long as Steinbrenner owned the team.

    But in 1999, Berra finally relented, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the Yankees' season-opening game.
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