Yogi Berra, perhaps the greatest catcher in New York Yankees history, died Tuesday evening at the age of 90 of natural causes.
The catcher was well known for his accomplishments during his playing career -- 10 World Series titles, 15 All-Star Game selections, three American League MVPs -- but if we're being honest, he'll always be more famous for his "Yogi-isms" -- turns of phrase that were sometimes paradoxical, sometimes genius and oftentimes both.
The problem is, whether or not he actually said a number of these "Yogi-isms" remains a matter of dispute. But there are a few we definitely know he said, and that display all the wit we loved and will miss about him.
1. "It ain't over till it's over."
Berra said his most famous quote in the summer of 1973 while managing the New York Mets. His team way back in the standings, Berra said simply, "It ain't over till it's over." His Mets came back to win the division and made it to the World Series.
2. "When you come to a fork in the road ... take it.”
Berra was giving driving directions to former catcher Joe Garagiola when he is said to have dropped the gem. The quote appears in the book Yogi: It Ain't Over, one of the catcher's three books.
3. “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
Berra told this one to Forbes Magazine in 1985. He said the quote after "Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit back-to-back home runs for the umpteenth time."
4. “We made too many wrong mistakes.”
Said after the Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
5. "You only use it when you travel."
The Hall of Fame catcher responded with this when was asked why he didn't want to buy new luggage. The quote appears in Phil Pepe's 1974 book, The Wit and Wisdom of Yogi Berra.
6. "Better make it four ... I don't think I can eat eight."
According to the The Yale Book Of Quotations, Berra reportedly said this when he was asked whether he wanted a pizza pie split into four or eight pieces.
7. “You can observe a lot by watchin'.”
This quote appeared in a New York Times article on Oct. 25, 1963. Berra later published a book with the same mantra.
8. “I really didn't say everything I said.”
And this one appeared in Sports Illustrated on March 17, 1986.
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