Yogi Berra Baseball Story

Robert Jeffrey
Mrs. Silva
Sports Literature and writing period 6
29 January, 2016
Legends of Baseball Yogi Berra and Ty Cobb revolutionized what being a baseball player means. Both men, especially Cobb, were extremely hard working and aggressive. So much so, Cobb was willing to injure other players even if it meant he would be thrown out of the game. This aggressive mind set utilized by both players, propelled them to becoming hall of fame members and together, they set numerous records that still stand today. Yogi Berra is famous for his slogans and one liners. These terms are called Yogi-isms such as, “Déjà vu all over again, the future ain’t what it used to be, and baseball is ninety percent mental; the other half is physical”
(“ Yogi Berra,” American baseball player). Baseball is a game that has truly stood the test of time. In so many ways, baseball today is being shaped and developed by the past. Legends like Ty Cobb and Yogi Berra played each and every game as if it was their last. The accolades and awards Ty Cobb and Yogi Berra achieved, have been an inspiration to baseball players all around the world as they continue to be an inspiration for a generations to come. Tyrus Raymond Cobb otherwise known as Ty Cobb was born in Narrows, Georgia and grew up in Royston, Georgia. Cobb’s father, William Herschel Cobb was a school administrator and later became a state senator. Ty, as a young boy, played baseball in the sandlot with his friends almost every day. It was at the sandlot, Ty developed his baseball skills especially swinging the bat. Later on, Ty Cobb was met with a difficult decision. His career choices came down to either having a career in business or pursue a dream of his and play baseball. He chose to play baseball despite many people in his family stating a case for a career in business (“Alexander,” Ty Cobb Biography). Yogi Berra had a unique and special youth and childhood. Yogi Berra grew up in the Italian district of St. Louis, Missouri, playing softball, baseball, roller hockey, and many other sports. In his early years, Yogi played baseball at the YMCA, and later, played for the American Legion baseball. Yogi was a left handed batter and threw right handed as a catcher, like most catchers in his day. Yogi Berra acquired his nickname from one of his teammates. He thought that Berra looked like a Hindu yogi as he was waiting to take his at bat (“Berra,” American baseball player). Berra did not get serious about playing baseball, until he was a teenager. Yogi and his neighborhood friend, Joe Garagiola, were offered minor league contracts in their late teens by Branch Rickey who at the time was the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe Garagiola was offered a considerably larger sum of money than Yogi did. Yogi was only offered two hundred fifty dollars. Consequently Berra rejected the offered and soon after signed with the Yankees (“Yogi Berra,” A&E Networks). Ty Cobb is arguably the best player to ever play the game of baseball.
The one thing that Cobb hated over all other things, was losing. There was no one more passionate than Cobb when it came down to competition and the desire to win. He demanded success, and he was willing to achieve it anyway possible. Branch Rickey, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame stated, “Ty Cobb lived off the field as though he wished to live forever. He lived on the field as though it was his last day” (“ Ty Cobb,” Baseball Hall of Fame). Ty Cobb’s dedication to winning lead him to a career filled with thrilling and never before seen
moments. Yogi Berra differed from Ty Cobb greatly.
He did not have a fiery spirit when he played. He was a much more down to earth and stoic figure who stayed within himself and did not try to do too much. When Berra first played for the Yankees, his catching ability did not live up to the manager’s expectation. So, he played his first few seasons with the Yankees, in the outfield. As time went on, Berra improved greatly as a catcher, taking the starting role becoming a defensive weapon helping the New York Yankees win multiple World Series championships. He set many records as a catcher and as a hitter. Berra, in his career had twelve World Series home runs which, is the only record of his that stands today (“Yogi Berra,” American baseball
player). Ty Cobb signed his first contract with the Detroit Tigers, in 1905. Cobb had an illustrious career with the Tigers spending twenty two of his twenty-six Major League years with them. Cobb was known for his aggressive base running and his ability to hit the ball, anywhere on the field. He won nine consecutive batting titles from 1907 to 1915, and won three more, later in his career (“Ty Cobb,” Baseball Hall of Fame). Cobb also holds the record for career batting average, batting .366 in his twenty-four year career. He hit .320 or better for twenty-two consecutive seasons including three years in which, he batted over .400. Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel exclaimed, “I never saw anyone like Ty Cobb. No one even close to him. He was the greatest all time ballplayer. That guy was superhuman, amazing” (“Ty Cobb,” Baseball Hall of Fame). Ty Cobb has compiled numerous accolades over his Twenty-four year career, he will truly be an inspiration for all in the game of baseball. After serving in the United States Navy in World War 2, Berra joined the Yankees in 1946 as their starting catcher. Berra spent his whole career with the Yankees, earning a reputation as a hitter who never got struck out (“Yogi Berra,” A&E Networks). Yogi Berra played his best baseball in the 1950s where he won the American league Most Valuable Player award three times. In his career, Berra played in fourteen World Series and fifteen All-Star games (“Yogi Berra,” A&E Networks). In all, Berra helped the Yankees win an unfathomable, ten World Series championships. Yogi Berra hit twelve World Series home runs in his career making him worthy of being considered one of the clutchest hitters of all time. A teammate of Berra, Hector Lopez, noted, “Yogi had the fastest bat I ever saw. He could hit a ball late, that was already past him, and still take it out of the park” (“Yogi Berra,” American Baseball Player). Berra revolutionized the game of baseball as a catcher but more importantly as a human being. Unlike Ty Cobb, Berra had an easy going, happy go lucky spirit. He brought joy to everyone around him and he made baseball a privilege to watch. Yogi Berra and Ty Cobb have impacted the game of baseball tremendously. Before Ty Cobb, baseball had never seen an individual who worked and played as hard as he did. Yogi Berra was a one of a kind individual, no one had seen an individual with so much personality and charisma in the realm of sports. Although, Ty Cobb and Yogi Berra have lead very different lives, both have stood the test the time. They each impacted people’s lives in different ways. Berra, brought energy and charisma to not only baseball but in the entire domain of competition and sport. Ty Cobb may not have had as much fame and recognition now as does Berra, but during his time he inspired many people to believe in their abilities and strive to become competitive athletes. The legacy both men have left will truly be an example and an inspiration for people to live their lives.
Word Count: 1281

Works Cited
Alexander, Charles C. "Ty Cobb Biography." – Notable Biographies. Encyclopedia of World Biographies, Web. 24 Jan. 2016. Schwartz, Larry. "He Was a Pain... but a Great Pain." ESPN. ESPN, Web. 24 Jan. 2016. .
"Ty Cobb." Baseball Hall of Fame. National Baseball Hall of Fame. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. . "Yogi Berra | American Baseball Player." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, Web. 24 Jan. 2016. . "Yogi Berra." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, Web. 24 Jan. 2016. .