Notice of Yogi Berra's passing was a sad day for baseball, baseball fans, this writer and those in the generations that were able to witness Yogi's baseball career. It was a magical time, especially for Yankee fans to see their team win so many World Championships. And it was even more magical to see Yogi's love for the game he played.
Everyone in and outside baseball knew Yogi because he talked to everyone, even the umpires. As a hitter Yogi had no strike zone. No matter where the pitcher threw the ball Yogi would hit it and many of those hits were home runs. He was a catcher most of his playing days but played the outfield also in his last few years. Who can forget the 1956 World Series when Yankee pitcher Don Larson threw a perfect game and after his last pitch Yogi running up the the mound and leaped in Larson's arms with a bear hug. That was Yogi Berra and his love for baseball.
This writer was fortunate to live through all of Yogi's baseball career. Having played all three sports (none on a professional level) baseball was my favorite. I can still remember the thrill going to Pelican stadium to see the New Orleans Pels play. In the late 1940"s the Yankees played an preseason game in Pelican stadium and yours truly was in the stands. That team had Joe DiMaggio, Charlie Keller and many of the great Yankees that preceded Yogi's era. DiMaggio hit a home run in that ball game. For a teenager who loved to play baseball, it was a game I will never forget.
Yogi Berra was a WWII veteran who served overseas in the European theater. Many baseball players served their country during WWII and the Korean War. Some of them served in both wars. It was a time of patriotic duty that cut short years from a players career.
Yogi Berra will be greatly missed by this writer who still gets chills when I think about the years I played the game and the great players like Yogi who gave so much to baseball. Besides being a Hall of Famer, a World Champion multiple times, Yogi was a world class human being. Baseball's song, Take Me Out To The Ball Game will forever live because of players like Yogi, and yes, I still get chocked up whenever I hear it played.
Thanks for the memories Yogi, I know you will continue to play baseball with your team mates in those Field of Dreams.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
