On November 17th, 1964, the Mets signed Yogi Berra to a two-year contract as a player/coach. Berra had managed the Yankees to a World Series appearance in 1964, but was fired after the Bombers lost the series to the St.Louis Cardinals in seven games.
Berra was much more of a coach than a player with the Mets, logging just nine at-bats (he had two hits) in 1965, before hanging up his spikes and glove permanently.
Berra had a storied tenure with the Mets, serving as a coach from 1965 through 1971, being in uniform for the 1969 championship. Before the 1972 season when Gil Hodges passed away suddenly at the end of spring training, Berra was named manager, and guided the Mets to the 1973 World Series.
Berra is remembered by many for his controversial decision to start Tom Seaver on three days’ rest in game six of the 1973 series, a series the Mets would lose in seven games to the Oakland Athletics.
Berra was fired by the Mets on August 5th, 1975. He compiled a record of 298-302 as Mets manager. After his tenure with the Mets, Berra rejoined the Yankees as a coach for the 1976 season. He enjoyed much success in his second tour in the Bronx, being part of pennant-winning teams in 1976 and 1981, and championship teams in 1977 and 1978.
Berra was named manager of the Yankees for the 1984 season, and was fired just 16 games into the 1985 season. At that point, he vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium, a vow he kept for 15 years before mending fences with George Steinbrenner.
Berra was a coach with the Astros from 1985-1989, and was in the dugout during the epic 1986 NLCS with the Mets, a series the Mets won in six games.
Over his playing career spanning 19 years, Berra slashed .285/.348/.482 with 358 home runs, primarily as a catcher.
Yogi Berra was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972. He passed away on September 22, 2015 in New Jersey at the age of 90.
