Beloved baseball icon and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra died of natural causes on Tuesday at his home in New Jersey. He was 90 years old.
The longtime legendary Yankee catcher became a player-coach for the New York Mets in 1965, but only took the field in four games. He was the team’s first base coach during the 1969 season when the Mets won their first World Series.
After the death of Gil Hodges, Berra became Mets manager in 1972, the same year he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Yoga guided the Mets to a National League pennant in 1973, but the team lost the World Series to the Oakland Athletics in seven games. During that season he coined the famous phrase, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” It was just one of hundreds of Yogi-isms he’d be known for throughout his colorful life.
“While we mourn the loss of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, we know he is at peace with Mom,” the family said in a statement. “We celebrate his remarkable life, and are thankful he meant so much to so many. He will truly be missed.”
A 15-time All Star, Berra is considered by most to be one of the greatest catchers who ever played the game. Winner of three American League MVP awards that now bear his name, Yogi played on a record 10 World Series championship teams during his 18 seasons with the Yankees and still holds many postseason records to this day, including the most games and hits in a World Series.
He is one of only six managers to lead an American League and National League team to the World Series, the Yankees in 1964 and the Mets in 1973. Remarkably, Berra went to the World Series 21 times as either a player, coach or manager.
A war hero as well, Berra served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and took part in the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944.
The New York Mets issued the following statement:
“Yogi Berra was a baseball legend who played a key part in our history. He was kind, compassionate and always found a way to make people laugh.”
“With us he was a player, coach and managed the 1973 ‘Ya Gotta Believe’ team to the National League pennant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Berra dies 69 years to the day of his Major League debut on Sept. 22, 1946, when he also hit the first of his 358 career home runs. He is survived by his three sons and 11 grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Yogi. The baseball world will miss you.
