The Perfect Little Story About Yogi Berra And The Pope

Today, as news of Yankee great Yogi Berra’s death reaches the far corners of the baseball world, stories of Berra’s witticisms will trickle in from grandstands across the country. Stories about “déjà vu” and six slices of pizza, about forks in the road and about hitting, not thinking.

But a lesser-known anecdote perhaps best typifies the unusual blend of seriousness and spontaneity, humor and earnestness that characterized Berra’s 90-year life.

As Roy Blount Jr. wrote for a Sports Illustrated story published over three decades ago, despite the catcher’s Eastern-inspired nickname, “Yogi,” Berra was a practicing Roman Catholic throughout his playing days.

And, in typical Berra fashion, even his time with the pontiff wasn’t immune to his circuitous way with words.

In an exchange with a reporter discussing his conference with Pope John XXIII, he showed that he wasn't afraid to be himself around anyone, even the Pope:

Reporter: "I understand you had an audience with the Pope."

Yogi: "No, but I saw him."

Reporter: "Did you get to talk to him?"

Yogi: "I sure did. We had a nice little chat."

Reporter: "What did he say?"

Yogi: "You know, he must read the papers a lot, because he said, 'Hello, Yogi.'"

Reporter: "And what did you say?"

Yogi: "I said, 'Hello, Pope.'"

As the current pontiff, Pope Francis, touched ground in the United States just yesterday, Berra’s words have once again proven to be always relevant, always applicable.

Rest in peace, Yogi. We’ll meet you at the fork in the road.

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