Yogi Berra, the legendary US Hall of Fame catcher, has died aged 90.
His death was announced by the Yogi Berra Museum, who said Berra passed away on Tuesday night.
Berra was widely considered to be one of the best catchers in US baseball. He played for the New York Yankees throughout his 19-year-career and was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Yogi Berra passed away Tuesday night at the age of 90. #YogiBerra pic.twitter.com/0BSctBzhTb
; Yogi Berra Museum (@Yogi_Museum) September 23, 2015
He became known for using paradoxical catchphrases such as "it ain't over 'til it's over” and “when you come to a fork in the road, take it," while speaking to reporters.
The New York Yankees said they were “deeply saddened by the loss of a Yankees legend and American hero”.
We have lost an icon: http://t.co/bqLwILR1bb pic.twitter.com/h0SDSvUzkw
; New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 23, 2015
Born Lawrence Peter Berra in St Louis, Missouri to Italian parents, Berra left school in the eighth grade and began paying baseball with local American Legion teams. He was eventually signed to the Yankees in 1946 and went on to help them win five consecutive world championships. He also held a number of World Series records, including most games by a catcher and most hits.
Berra’s nickname was given to him by his close friend Bobby Hofman, who compared him to a Hindu Yogi when he sat with his legs crossed waiting to bat. He is believed to have inspired the much-loved children’s cartoon character and launched a defamation suit against it, which he later dropped.
