Yogi Berra Remembered: Notable Figures on Hall of Fame Catcher

NEW YORK — Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his lovable, linguistically dizzying “Yogi-isms” as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, has died at 90. Here’s how he is being remembered:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

“Yogi Berra was an American original — a Hall of Famer and humble veteran; prolific jokester and jovial prophet. He epitomized what it meant to be a sportsman and a citizen, with a big heart, competitive spirit, and a selfless desire to open baseball to everyone, no matter their background. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans in New York and across the world.”

ROB MANFRED, MLB COMMISSIONER

“Renowned as a great teammate, Yogi stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all. With his trademark humility and good humor, Yogi represented only goodwill to baseball fans. His proud American story will endure at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

“Yogi Berra was a beacon of Americana, and today Major League Baseball and all of its Clubs stand together in mourning his passing and celebrating his memory. On behalf of the game he served with excellence and dignity, I extend my deepest condolences to Yogi’s children and grandchildren, his many friends throughout our game and his countless admirers.”

ROBIN VENTURA, MANAGER, CHICAGO WHITE SOX

“It’s sad, his passing, but anyone who starts thinking about him will smile. I was fortunate enough to play a couple of years with the Yankees and he spent a lot of time in the clubhouse. He lit up the room.

“Just a beautiful person all the way around. His numbers are incredible, but his presence and how he dealt with people were really the biggest thing.”

JOE TORRE, MLB CHIEF BASEBALL OFFICER

“We’ve lost Yogi, but we will always have what he left for us: the memories of a lifetime filled with greatness, humility, integrity and a whole bunch of smiles. He was a lovable friend.”

HAL STEINBRENNER, YANKEES GENERAL MANAGING PARTNER

“Yogi Berra’s legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.

“While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That’s what made him such a national treasure.”

NEW YORK METS

“Yogi Berra was a baseball legend who played a key part in our history. He was kind, compassionate and always found a way to make people laugh. With us he was a player, coach and managed the 1973 ‘Ya Gotta Believe’ team to the National League pennant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”