Categorized | Editorial

EDITORIAL: Common Sense Yogi-isms

In the past few weeks, we have tackled some tough subject matters. This week we decided to pay homage to the late Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra. He was known as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Yogi Berra 5/12/25 - 9/22/15

Yogi Berra
5/12/25 – 9/22/15

Some of  the following information was obtained in: Wikipedia, Esquire, Magazine and The Yogi Book.

Yogi Berra had played his most of his career with the NY Yankees (and a brief stint as a player/coach on the NY Mets) then as a Coach and Manager for the Mets then as a Coach and Manager for the Yankees. He wore No. 8 after Yankee Player Bill Dickey. He was first called Yogi by his friend Jack Maguire, who said he resembled a Hindu yogi whenever he sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat or while looking sad after a losing game. Yogi even has a famous cartoon character indirectly named after him (Yogi Bear).

Besides his baseball accomplishments, Yogi Berra served in WWII in the US Navy as a gunner’s mate and helped invade Omaha Beach against German defenses. He also helped invade Utah Beach on D-Day.

An online petition that was started by Businessman Steve Forbes to have Yogi awarded the highest Civilian Award: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The deadline for the need of 100,000 signatures was in early June. This was achieved and the petition was forwarded to the White House. As of this date there is no response.

But we want to talk about Yogi Berra the philosopher. Yogi was famous for his wit and famous sayings. A list of his “yogi-isms” can be found in the book, “The Yogi Book: I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said,” by Yogi Berra. In the book, Yogi explains where his famous sayings originated from.

A few are: “I wish I had an answer to that, because I’m tired of answering that question.” Here Yogi explains that the Yankees weren’t doing very well and day after day being drilled by reporters, Yogi answered finally answered them with a yogi-ism. How many times do people ask the same questions over and over again hoping to get a different answer.

“You can observe a lot by watching.” Yogi explains that he was yelling at the 1964 Yankees (the players weren’t watching the game). Observation is an excellent skill and necessary in almost any area you are working in.

“You’ve got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going ‘cause you might not get there.” Yogi explains that this meant, “If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them.” Very true.

“The future ain’t what it used to be.” Yogi explains that times are different – not necessarily better or worse. Or as Billy Joel states “The good times weren’t always good and now isn’t as bad as it seems.”

“90% of the Game is half mental.” Yogi explains this as a coaching strategy. So true. So many things are best just done following your best instincts and best not to spend ten years analyzing what to do.

“It’s deja vu all over again!” Yogi explains that Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit back-to-back homeruns for the umpteenth time. “Makes perfect sense to me,” Yogi stated.

“It the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.” What is the definition of perfection in the world? Anyone know? Didn’t think so.

And here’s one for all you political junkies, “It was hard to have a conversation with anyone, there were too many people talking.” Yogi explained, “I was at the White House for dinner by invitation by President Ford. Those politicians were so noisy I couldn’t hear a thing.”

And the most famous Yogi-ism of all, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!” This can be taken both ways. If you are winning or on the verge of completing any task: “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched,” or if you are losing or having trouble doing something, “Never give up! No matter what the circumstances.” You never know what could happen. This happens in baseball and in life over and over again.

RIP Yogi, you will be missed.

K.M. & C.M.

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