Hall Of Famer And American Hero
Yogi Berra, who died Tuesday, was a great bridge from the era when baseball dominated the sports scene to today, where its appeal is more local than national. The New York Yankees were the monster franchise, loved by many and hated by more, and Berra was the axis of their greatness, winning 10 World Series titles during his 19-year career.
He was also among the last of a breed known almost solely by their nicknames. No one thought of Berra as Larry – he was born Lawrence Peter Berra. And almost no one has a nickname today. Guys named Kyle are called Kyle. Guys named Kris are called Kris. Guys named Clayton are called Clayton.
Berra came into baseball just after service in World War II and nicknames in the sport were common and colorful.
You can start with the Babe (Ruth), who hit 60 home runs in a season (151 games played), and Home Run (Baker), who earlier led the American League in HRs for four consecutive years, hitting a total of 42 in 595 games. You had Dizzy (Dean), Daffy (Dean) and Dazzy (Vance). Pepper (Martin) and Salty (Parker). There was no question which hand Lefty Gomez used to throw the ball. Red (Schoendienst and Ruffing) proceeded by many years Vida Blue (not a nickname). Whitey (Ford) pitched and Yogi caught.
You had a Chief (Bender) and a Super Chief (Allie Reynolds). Slats (Marion) and Pee Wee (Reese). Yogi and teammate Moose (Skowron) made an interesting pair.
Berra’s accomplishments in a life were numerous. He took part in the Normandy invasion while in the Navy and earned a Purple Heart. He was charitable, kind and a wonderful marketer of his many mangled phrases that harbored an inner rationale. He was probably the best defensive catcher in baseball history, always a clutch hitter and a great teammate.
He was Yogi. They don’t make them like that anymore, and they sure don’t name them that way either.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman
Why You Should Always Google Your Dates
Usher Secretly Marries His Long-Time Manager
-
Correa joined the Mets with a $315 million contract. Recently, baseball player Carlos Correa announced that he had cut...
-
Oklahoma and Texas will depart from the college sports conference at the end of the season. The Big 12...
-
Robert Kraft wants to re-sign Brady just long enough that he can retire as a Patriot. Earlier this week,...
-
The skilled third-baseman will be enshrined in Cooperstown. Scott Rolen is one of the most skilled and recognized third-basemen...
-
Brady’s 23rd football season has ended. On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys went head-to-head for...
-
Smith has been fired after one season with the team. Over the weekend, the owners of the Houston Texans...
-
Pelé passed due to complications related to colon cancer. On Thursday night, the sporting world received unfortunate news: Pelé,...
-
His return heralded a victory over the Phoenix Suns. On Sunday, Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas needed to take...
-
Mayfield will be available on waiver to other NFL teams. After an underwhelming performance in his current role as...
-
Mike White led the team to a decisive victory over the Bears over the weekend. On Saturday, the New...
-
The game has been moved out of New York due to an encroaching snowstorm. This weekend, the Buffalo Bills...
-
Negative pushback prompted the team to give the role to someone else. Recently, the Brooklyn Nets have been in...