24 September,2015 08:08 AM IST | | AFP
Iconic New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, an athlete as beloved for his folksy sayings as for his legendary baseball career, has died, the Yogi Berra Museum said early Wednesday. He was 90
Yogi Berra
Washington: Iconic New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, an athlete as beloved for his folksy sayings as for his legendary baseball career, has died, the Yogi Berra Museum said early Wednesday. He was 90.
Yogi Berra
The Hall of Famer and three-time Most Valuable Player died of natural causes late Tuesday, the museum said in a statement. "Yogi conducted his life with unwavering integrity, humility and a contagious good humour that elevated him from baseball legend to beloved national icon," the museum said.
Berra, whose real first name was Lawrence, was born in St Louis, Missouri in 1925 to Italian parents. He began playing baseball in the American Legion leagues and it was there that he picked up the Yogi nickname - his friend Bobby Hofman felt he resembled a Hindu yogi when he sat around with arms and legs crossed while waiting to bat.
He spent the majority of his 19-year career with the Yankees but also played one season for the New York Mets. Berra remained close to the Yankees throughout his life, attending spring training as an advisor until he was 87.
