Major League Baseball

In their words: How sports world is remembering Yogi Berra

Published Sep. 23, 2015 1:05 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his lovable, linguistically dizzying ''Yogi-isms'' as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, has died at 90. Here's how he is being remembered:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

''Yogi Berra was an American original - a Hall of Famer and humble veteran; prolific jokester and jovial prophet. He epitomized what it meant to be a sportsman and a citizen, with a big heart, competitive spirit, and a selfless desire to open baseball to everyone, no matter their background. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans in New York and across the world.''

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ROB MANFRED, MLB COMMISSIONER

''Renowned as a great teammate, Yogi stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all. With his trademark humility and good humor, Yogi represented only goodwill to baseball fans. His proud American story will endure at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

''Yogi Berra was a beacon of Americana, and today Major League Baseball and all of its Clubs stand together in mourning his passing and celebrating his memory. On behalf of the game he served with excellence and dignity, I extend my deepest condolences to Yogi's children and grandchildren, his many friends throughout our game and his countless admirers.''

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ROBIN VENTURA, MANAGER, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

''It's sad, his passing, but anyone who starts thinking about him will smile. I was fortunate enough to play a couple of years with the Yankees and he spent a lot of time in the clubhouse. He lit up the room.

''Just a beautiful person all the way around. His numbers are incredible, but his presence and how he dealt with people were really the biggest thing.''

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JOE TORRE, MLB CHIEF BASEBALL OFFICER

''We've lost Yogi, but we will always have what he left for us: the memories of a lifetime filled with greatness, humility, integrity and a whole bunch of smiles. He was a lovable friend.''

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HAL STEINBRENNER, YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER

''Yogi Berra's legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.

''While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That's what made him such a national treasure.''

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DEREK JETER, FORMER SHORTSTOP, NEW YORK YANKEES

''To those who didn't know Yogi personally, he was one of the greatest baseball players and Yankees of all time. To those lucky ones who did, he was an even better person. To me he was a dear friend and mentor. He will always be remembered for his success on the field, but I believe his finest quality was how he treated everyone with sincerity and kindness. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.''

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NEW YORK METS

''Yogi Berra was a baseball legend who played a key part in our history. He was kind, compassionate and always found a way to make people laugh. With us he was a player, coach and managed the 1973 `Ya Gotta Believe' team to the National League pennant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.''

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BUCK SHOWALTER, MANAGER, BALTIMORE ORIOLES

''He wasn't afraid to like players. You go into a meeting and all they talk about is what a guy can't do. Yogi didn't talk about that. He talked about what people could do. For a guy that was as good as he was, that's a rare trait. Usually it becomes a negative feeding frenzy. Yogi wanted no part of that. He was always thinking good things about people.''

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TOM SEAVER, HALL OF FAME PITCHER

''They threw away the mold in regards to Yogi. He was one of a kind. He loved the game. As a manager, he never tried to complicate things. He let his players play. He respected what you did on the field. He was an utter delight to be around.''

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CAL RIPKEN, HALL OF FAME SHORTSTOP

''Yogi was a not just a Hall of Famer, he was a very special guy. When Yogi spoke, everyone was quiet and hung on every word. He owned the room. He was a legendary figure and will be missed by all of us baseball fans.''

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BOBBY RICHARDSON, FORMER SECOND BASEMAN, NEW YORK YANKEES

''What can I say about Yogi? He was a friend and a wonderful clutch hitter. He had so many accolades in the world of baseball that it is almost impossible to realize how many. He was a World War II veteran and a great friend. It's a deep loss.''

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JORGE POSADA, FORMER CATCHER, NEW YORK YANKEES

''When you were around Yogi, he had a way of bringing out the best in you. He made you feel good inside. That was his gift to so many of us, and why people always tended to gravitate to him. I don't care what team you play for or what team you root for, if you love baseball, then you love Yogi Berra.''

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CRAIG BIGGIO, HALL OF FAME CATCHER-SECOND BASEMAN

''Yogi is known a lot for his Yogi-isms, but he was one of the smartest baseball people I have ever been around. You don't win as many championships as he has by not being smart. He would say some things to me as a young kid, and I would kind of be scratching my head. And go: `What is he talking about?' Then the next half-inning, whatever he said, just happened, and the next inning after that and so on and so forth.

''He prioritized his life very well. He loved the game of baseball and he loved his family and he loved his faith. He lived his life right. If we could all just grab a little piece of that and live our lives like he lived (his) life, it would be pretty amazing. He just did everything right.''

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JEFF IDELSON, HALL OF FAME PRESIDENT

''The Hall of Fame mourns the loss of a baseball legend, great American, tremendous family man and modern day philosopher. His baseball abilities and acumen are evidenced by his Hall of Fame election in 1972 and as the only manager in history to take both the Yankees and Mets to the World Series. He joined the Navy at 18, was married to his beloved wife Carmen for 65 years, and had more fun with the English language than any player in history. He will especially be missed in Cooperstown where he was beloved by his fellow Hall of Famers and his adoring fans.''

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RED SCHOENDIENST, HALL OF FAME SECOND BASEMAN

''He told the story about the first year (Derek) Jeter came up, he went up to Yogi and said, `Hey Yogi, I'm having a little problem hitting the high pitch.' `So don't swing at it,' Yogi said. Jeter said, `Well, you swung at it.' Yogi said, `Yeah but I hit it.' That's Yogi.''

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JOE MADDON, MANAGER, CHICAGO CUBS

''Not many people are recognized by one name only, but he was special - he is special. All the stuff you've read about that he's said, he says. You sit there and he throws something at you and you just feel very fortunate. We're going to miss him.''

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