In the late 1980s’ I had the good fortune to meet Berra. I met him in the locker room at a golf club in New Jersey where he was a member. It was years after his playing days yet I was still so pleased to be introduced to him. Truly for me he was a sports legend.
LA
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Just some thoughts:
One of the things that come with aging is the sadness you feel with the passing of the various famous people, such as movie or sports stars that have been a part of your youth. Such is the case for me with the passing (September 22, 2015) of New York Yankee Hall of Fame member, Yogi Berra. Berra died this past week at the age of ninety.
You had to love Berra and for many reasons. He was an outstanding athlete who played baseball, but there was physically very little that one would associate him with athletic ability. He did not fit the model of most athletes. He was far from handsome or good looking. He was notorious for swinging at bad pitches. But the bottom line with Berra was that he got the job done. Maybe not in the style or flash of his teammates like DiMaggio, Mantle or Maris.
Berra was also famous for his sayings. They became known as “Yogisms,” such as:
You had to love Berra and for many reasons. He was an outstanding athlete who played baseball, but there was physically very little that one would associate him with athletic ability. He did not fit the model of most athletes. He was far from handsome or good looking. He was notorious for swinging at bad pitches. But the bottom line with Berra was that he got the job done. Maybe not in the style or flash of his teammates like DiMaggio, Mantle or Maris.
Berra was also famous for his sayings. They became known as “Yogisms,” such as:
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
“We have a good time together, even when we’re not together”
“Public speaking is one of the best things I hate.”
“He’s learning me all his experiences.”
“Don’t get me right, I’m just asking.”
“Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.”
“It gets late early out here.”
“So I’m ugly. So what? I don’t hit with my face.”
“Usually when you get one of these, you’re dead or gone.”
“I love movies when I like them.”
“The future ain’t what it used to be.”
“I usually take a two-hour nap from 1 to 4.”
“Never answer an anonymous letter.”
“We made too many wrong mistakes.”
“We have a good time together, even when we’re not together”
“Public speaking is one of the best things I hate.”
“He’s learning me all his experiences.”
“Don’t get me right, I’m just asking.”
“Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.”
“It gets late early out here.”
“So I’m ugly. So what? I don’t hit with my face.”
“Usually when you get one of these, you’re dead or gone.”
“I love movies when I like them.”
“The future ain’t what it used to be.”
“I usually take a two-hour nap from 1 to 4.”
“Never answer an anonymous letter.”
“We made too many wrong mistakes.”
One of my favorite Yogi stories is Berra was attending a very formal affair. He was dressed in a tux and a lady walked up to him and said, “Mr. Berra you sure look cool.” Berra thought a moment and then said to the lady, “Madam, you don’t look so hot yourself.” Now think about that one.
I guess the one that I will long remember of all of the things Yogi ever said is one that has to do with marriage. Berra and his wife, Carmen were married in 1949. Berra was once asked to what he would attribute his long and good marriage. His answer:
I guess the one that I will long remember of all of the things Yogi ever said is one that has to do with marriage. Berra and his wife, Carmen were married in 1949. Berra was once asked to what he would attribute his long and good marriage. His answer:
“Well I just never wanted to disappoint or embarrass her.”
Pretty solid marriage advice.
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September 24, 2015
Keep on,
Larry Adamson
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