Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee
by Allen Barra
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Book Summary Information
Author: Allen BarraEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-03-30
ISBN: 0393062333
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Book Reviews of Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee
Book Review: "It's like déjà vu all over again," or How Yogi Berra Became the Quintessential Modern American Philosopher
Summary: 5 Stars
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No question about it, Yogi Berra was an American original. Who hasn't heard some of his witticisms: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it," or "It ain't over till it's over," or "Half this game is ninety percent mental." And then there is my personal favorite, "We may be lost but we're making good time." That last one seems to sum up so much about our modern society. His folksy wit masked a keen mind, however, one that gets to the heart of any issue.
Aside from his knack for summing up great philosophical thoughts in pithy phrases, Yogi Berra was also one of the greatest baseball players of all time. As this biography--the first formal, sophisticated Berra biography to appear makes clear--Yogi led his team during one of its most legendary dynasties. During his time with the New York Yankees, 1946-1963, Berra played on more pennant winners, 14, and enjoyed more World Series victories, 10, than any other player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. Sportswriter Allan Barra argues that Yogi was the greatest catcher ever to play, even more important than Johnny Bench, and is one of a handful of indispensible Yankees ever to take the field. Along with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and perhaps Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra's exploits have defined Yankee greatness through the ages.
Not bad for a kid from the Hill district of St. Louis, whose friend and baseball rival Joe Garagiola says was the best to ever play the game. Both played together and against each other while growing up in the Italian section of that city. Both were scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals, but Branch Rickey signed only Garagiola to a Cardinals contract. He did not think Berra had what it took to play beyond the minor leagues. In a Karmic sort of way that dumb decision ranks right up there with the Cardinals snookering the Chicago Cubs out of Lou Brock by trading Ernie Broglio for him in 1964. As a Cardinals fan I kick myself thinking about how Yogi Berra would have helped them in the 1940s, 1950s, and the early 1960s when they already had a good team that might have become a dynasty to rival the Yankees. With such a talented catcher as Berra on the field with Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter, and Red Schoendienst, I would be surprised if they had not won several more championships.
But he became a Yankee, perhaps the quintessential Yankee. Even more than playing catcher better than anyone else of his era, Yogi also excelled both at managing and at life. He took the Yankees to the World Series in 1964, only to lose in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. At least the Cards got even in that one instance. Yogi also is revealed as a good and decent human being in this biography, a folksy sage who mentors the young and stays close to his family. "Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee" is altogether an enjoyable biography.
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