Now it’s over

There are those characters in sports that are far different than the norm. Depending on who you are these people are remembered for something other than how great they were on the field of play.

One such person passed away last week. That person was Yogi Berra.

I was not a fan of Yogi when I was growing up because he was a member of the New York Yankees when I was a fan of the Dodgers.

Too many times the Dodgers and the Yankees would meet in the World Series and the Dodgers came up short on several occasions and much of the reason was Yogi.

Yogi was a hero to most Yankee fans for his accomplishments as their catcher both behind the plate and as a hitter.

At 5-foot-7-inches, he wasn’t a domineering person be he stood tall just the same.

I think if one were to look up the definition of winner in a dictionary Yogi’s picture should be next to it. And as generations grow up they need to research the great athletes of yesteryear who brought greatness to the game of baseball.

I think that a majority of the people who heard of Yogi Berra only knew of the things he is credited for saying whether he said them or not.

I must admit that if he said as many things he is credited with saying then reporters most likely had good ears to pick up some of these Yogi-isms.

Remember a lot of these quotes were taken before reporters used recorders to make sure the quotes were accurate.

So maybe there were a few quotes that were embellished by the writer and of course Yogi most likely didn’t remember word for word what came out of his mouth so the quotes lived on.

Here are a few of the things he is credited with saying: “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”

“He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.” “How can you hit and think at the same time?” “I always thought that record would stand until it was broken.”

“If people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?” “I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.”

“I never said most of the things I said.” “It gets late early out there.” “Nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded.”

There are plenty more but you should research these quotes because they are funny and Yogi is so honest when he said them and they came out of his mouth so easily.

Joe Garagiola wrote a book about his life as a baseball player and a baseball announcer.

His childhood friend was Yogi Berra. Garagiola was also a catcher.

Garagiola said, “Usually when you make it to the pros as a player you were the best athlete in your high school or even the city you live in. I wasn’t even the best athlete on my block because Yogi Berra lived across the street from me.”

Garagiola also stated that he and Yogi sold appliances for Sears in the off-season because they were raising families and needed to make ends meet.

The big contracts were yet to come and these guys certainly played for the love of the game and not the money.

Berra played to win and was a World Champion ten times and is also a Hall of Famer.

I didn’t appreciate Yogi’s accomplishments until well after he retired. He respected other players and he respected the game.

He will be missed but he will never be forgotten.

He once said about baseball that, “It ain’t over til it’s over.”

At 90 years of age Yogi passed away most likely because heaven needed a catcher and maybe a little natural humor.

I’m sure Yogi said as he was leaving his time on earth, “I guess that now it’s over!”