Yogi Berra was a great catcher (baseball player) for the New York Yankees, playing from 1947 through 1963, throughout which he was selected as an All Star fifteen consecutive years. He won the American League Most Valuable Player awrd three times, in 1951, 54 and 55 (and was second in the voting in 53 and 56).
Yogi Berra Logic
On Baseball:
If the fans don't come out to the ball park, you can't stop them.
Think!?! How the hell are you gonna think and hit at the same time?
Referring to the bad sun conditions in left field at the stadium: It gets late early out there.
You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough in the second half you give what's left.
It's never happened in the World Series competition, and it still hasn't.
I'd say he's done more than that.
When asked if first baseman Don Mattingly had exceeded expectations for the current season.
The other teams could make trouble for us if they win.
On the acquisition of fleet Ricky Henderson: He can run anytime he wants. I'm giving him the red light.
I never blame myself when I'm not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn't my fault that I'm not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?
On Yogi Berra Appreciation Day in St. Louis, 1947: I want to thank you for making this day necessary.
Baseball is 90% mental – the other half is physical.
Slump? I ain't in no slump. I just ain't hitting.
I always thought that record would stand until it was broken.
Why NY lost the 1960 series to Pittsburgh: We made too many wrong mistakes
Most remarkably, he played in 14 World Series over those 17 years, and holds numerous World Series records including most games by a catcher (63), hits (71), at bats, doubles, and times on a winning team (10), He is second all time in RBI's, third in home runs and third in walks.
On Life:
Cut the pizza into four slices. I'm not hungry enough to eat six.
This is like deja vu all over again.
The future ain't what it used to be.
You can observe a lot just by watching.
When asked for the time: Do you mean now?
I take a two hour nap, from one o'clock to four.
If you come to a fork in the road, take it.
90% of the putts that are short don't go in.
Never answer an anonymous letter.
Yogi's wife: I think we're lost
Yogi: Yeah, but we're making great time!
The towels were so thick there I could hardly close my suitcase.
Interviewer: What would you do if you found a million dollars?
Yogi: I'd find the fellow who lost it, and, if he was poor, I'd return it.
It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much.
You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.
I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.
If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
A nickel isn't worth a dime today.
Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded.
If you can't imitate him, don't copy him.
Upon retirement as a player after 1963, he took over as the team's manager resulting in yet another American League pennant, capping a run of sucess unparalleled in the sport -- 15 pennants in 18 years -- and among the most remarkable runs of any team in any sport anywhere ever. He also managed the New York "You Gotta Believe" Mets in 1973 when they went from last place in the final month of the season to win the National League pennant.
On Death:
You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours.
Referring to a Steve McQueen movie: He must have made that before he died.
Yogi's wife: Where would you like to be buried?
Yogi: Surprise me.
Yogi Berra Language
It ain't the heat; it's the humility.
"How long have you known me, Jack? And you still don't know how to spell my name." Upon receiving a check from Jack Buck made out to "bearer."
"Texas has a lot of electrical votes." ~ (after George Bush stated that Texas was important to the election)Thanks, you don't look so hot yourself.
Upon being told he looked cool.
Even Napoleon had his Watergate.
Glen Cove.
He referred to actress Glenn Close on a movie review television show by the name of this New York city suburb. (The first time I heard the name, I also thought it was Glen Cove, and was very confused because, of course, it's a man's name.)
On his quotability:
I didn't really say everything I said.
More Quotations (organized by category)
Improvements for this page:
- Yogi pic?
- Put bio in left hand column
- <q>s
- (vertical) connecters between upper sections
Steven F. Freeman