The Baseball World Celebrates Yogi Berra’s 100th Birthday- With A World Record Attempt This Fall
Written by cupor1 on May 14, 2025
On Monday, May 12th, 2025, hundreds gathered on the concourse of Yogi Berra Stadium to celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary New York Yankees Catcher, Yogi Berra. Members of the Berra family, close friends, such as Willie Randolph, and die-hard Yankees fans showed up for the occasion.
Not only was Berra one of the greatest to ever play the game, with his 10 World Series rings and 18 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, but his character is what made him even more lovable.
“What you have is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yogi Berra- not just a Hall of Fame athlete, but a Hall of Fame human being who also happened to raise his family in Montclair,” Yogi Berra Meuseum’s Executive Director Eve Schaenen said. “It just feels like the right place to celebrate this day.”
Legendary Sports Broadcaster Bob Costas, a longtime friend of Berra, hosted the event. He had nothing but kindness to share.
“For such a legendary person, he [Yogi Berra] was the most humble, kind, down-to-earth person you could ever spend time with. And I think that opinion is unanimous.”
Tony Clark, Executive Director of Major League Baseball’s Player Association (MLBPA) and 2001 MLB All-Star with the Detroit Tigers, also shared his time spent with Berra.
“I had an opportunity to spend a little time with him when I was with the Yankees in ’04, and there’s nothing that turns you into a little kid quicker than having an opportunity to be alongside an icon in our game,” Clark said. “Having a conversation with him and hearing him tell stories in the dugout or in the locker room is something I’ll never forget.”
During the event, Costas announced a unique celebration scheduled for later this year. On September 21st, the eve of the 10th anniversary of Berra’s passing, fans will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of catch, held on the field of Yogi Berra Stadium. Costas encouraged fans nationwide to join in by playing catch in their communities if they can’t attend in person.
With Yogi no longer here to celebrate in person, his sons, Larry and Dale Berra, harped on the amazing man he was, even outside of being a great father.
“He [Yogi] can just wave at a person and that person’s day or year was made,” said oldest son Larry Berra. “It’s just the way he was. He was just incredible, and he taught us that way. But for him, everybody was the same.”
Yogi’s other son, Dale Berra, had a lot in common with his father, a 10-year Major League player who even had a short stint in Pinstripes.
““Dad’s an American Icon and a war hero. It’s not difficult to celebrate and praise him. He’s looking down right now, very proud and happy.”
This event was a fantastic tribute to one of baseball’s greatest players. Family, friends, and other community members celebrated Yogi Berra’s 100th birthday and life.
If Berra were still here, there’s a chance he would’ve repeated his famous quote, from when he was honored in his hometown of St. Louis in his Rookie season.
“I want to thank everybody for making this day necessary.”
