A while ago, LIFE.com asked Hall of Famer and Yankee legend Yogi Berra to flip through some old photos and share a few of his fondest baseball memories. Our first question: Looking back, what was the most satisfying aspect of his entire storied career?
“Playing in fourteen World Series in seventeen seasons,” he said. “That wasn’t too bad.” Then, in perfectly understated Yogi fashion, he added, “Winning ten of those World Series wasn’t so bad, either.”
Above, in the captions to these classic baseball pictures, the one and only Yogi Berra offers his thoughts on some of his teammates and rivals through the years.
Yogi Berra, 1953.Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesToughest pitcher Yogi ever faced? "Herb Score," Yogi says. "Herb Score was pretty darn good before he got hurt." If the name doesn't ring a bell, back in the 1950s, Score was an overpowering southpaw for the Indians. In his first year in the bigs, 1955, he struck out 245, a rookie record that stood until 1984. George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesYogi likes this picture of teammate Hank Bauer from the 1952 World Series. Bauer, it's often said, had the most intense glare of any ballplayer who ever laced up spikes. "Hank wasn't so extra intense," Yogi points out. "He just wanted to win."Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesWhitey Ford, a fellow Hall of Famer, pitched to Yogi for more than a decade. "Great control. Great curveball. Great poise. Nothing bothered him." Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesYogi's respect for Jackie Robinson's talent and grit is obvious -- and comes at the cost of having been burned a few times by the Dodger's incredible speed and even more incredible feel for the game. "You had to be aware of Jackie," he says.Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images"I knew Jackie from the minors [Robinson played for Montreal in 1946 when Yogi played for Newark] and I knew he'd disrupt you if you let him." Here, Yogi screams in the face of the home plate umpire, protesting the "safe" call on Robinson (left) after an electrifying steal of home in the first game of the 1955 World Series -- the only Series the Dodgers ever won while still in Brooklyn. Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesOf all his legendary teammates, who was the greatest? "Joe DiMaggio (above in 1947)," Yogi says, without hesitation. "I played with him for five seasons, and never saw him do anything wrong."Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCasey Stengel was manager of the Yankees from 1949 to 1960, during which time they won seven World Series titles and 10 American League pennants. What does Yogi have to say about his old skipper? "Casey was a smart baseball man who knew what he was doing. He could be a little unorthodox, but made a lot of sense. He also had some good players, and that didn't hurt." Mark Kauffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesHow does he want to be remembered? "I guess that's for the fans to decide. I hope they remember the things we teach kids at our museum and learning center. Respect. Hard Work. Sportsmanship. To me, that's as important as anything." Here Yogi shares a laugh with Cardinals manager Johnny Keane after the Cards beat the Yankees in the 1964 World Series -- more evidence, if any were needed, that Yogi Berra was always a fierce competitor, and an even greater sportsman. Henry Groskinsky—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesYogi Berra and his wife Carmen at home, 1949. Yogi and Carmen were married for 65 years; she died in March 2014 at 85.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
