BERRA, YOGI

born May 12, 1925, St. Louis, Mo., U.S. byname of Lawrence Peter Berra American professional baseball player, manager, and coach, who established catcher's records for most home runs (313), most consecutive errorless games (148), and most consecutive chances accepted (950). As a boy in the Italian district of St. Louis, Berra played softball, baseball, soccer, football, and roller hockey. He first played organized baseball with a Y.M.C.A. team and later played American Legion baseball. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. In 1942 he signed a contract with the American League New York Yankees. After a season in the minor leagues, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II (194346) and played minor league baseball again in 1946. He came up to the New York Yankees toward the end of that season and played with them as their regular catcher through 1963. At first his catching was erratic, and he played mostly in the outfield until 1949. From then on he hit 20 or more home runs a season through 1958. He was named the American League's Most Valuable Player, an honour seldom bestowed on catchers, in 1951, 1954, and 1955. He played in 14 World Series (1947, 194953, 195558, 196063), catching in more series games (75) than any other catcher. He hit a home run in his first World Series appearance; 12 in all. After retiring as a player, Berra managed the Yankees in 1964, winning the pennant and losing the World Series, and was fired. He was a coach for the National League New York Mets (196572). He managed the Mets (197275) and thereafter was a coach with the Yankees. In 1983 he was once again made manager of the Yankees but was fired during the 1985 season. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.