Yogi’s legacy extends far beyond the baseball field

The Yankees and the baseball world lost one of their all-time greats Tuesday evening. Yogi Berra, inner circle Hall of Famer and ten-time World Series champion, passed away at the age of 90. Like all of us, Berra got a little bit older each year, yet it always felt like he would live forever. And he will in all of us. It’s hard to imagine living a more full and more loved life than he did.

“To those who didn’t know Yogi personally, he was one of the greatest baseball players and Yankees of all time,” wrote Derek Jeter at the Players Tribune. “To those lucky ones who did, he was an even better person. To me he was a dear friend and mentor. He will always be remembered for his success on the field, but I believe his finest quality was how he treated everyone with sincerity and kindness. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

On the field, Yogi was arguably the best catcher in baseball history and is at the very least on the super short list of candidates. Eighteen All-Star Games, ten World Series titles, three MVPs, behind the plate for Don Larsen’s perfect game in the World Series … Berra did it all during his career. They don’t make players like him anymore. Durable catchers who produced year after year after year.

And yet, if you asked Yogi, I’m guessing he’d say he was most proud of his accomplishments off the field. For starters, he was a war hero, enlisting in the Navy and fighting in World War II from 1944-45. Berra was on the ground during the Normandy Invasion on D-Day and fought in several other battles as well. At the time, Yogi was simply known as Seaman 1st class Berra.

After his playing career was over, Berra set up a fund at Columbia that has given away scholarships for over a half-century now. The Museum and Learning Center that bears his name in New Jersey provides education programs to thousands each year. Berra was also an ambassador for Athlete Ally, which promotes LGBT rights in sports. All tremendous causes.

Then there are the Yogisms. Everyone has their favorite. I’m partial to “love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too,” but there are countless others. “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” “90% of the game is half mental.” “It’s deja vu all over again.” “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” On and on they go.

The Yogisms are much more than mangled bits of the English language. They bring a smile to our face whenever we hear them. That was Yogi. He made everyone smile in his own special way. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone. Berra was a tremendous player and that will never be forgotten. He was an even better man as well. Rest in peace, Yogi. You were truly one of a kind.