Yogi Berra, who passed away last night at the age of 90, was one of baseball’s biggest stars and greatest legends. But did you know he had connections to the game of hockey as well?
Pictures of him practicing with the St. Louis Flyers, a minor league team in the AHL in the 40’s and 50’s (and the AHA before that) were unearthed recently, and they’re true gems. (Berra was a native of St. Louis.)
#NHL & #MLB have been mixing for years! Gramp w/ St. Louis Flyers in late ’40s. #WinterClassic #Yankees pic.twitter.com/5OHvccqvP8
— Lindsay Berra (@lindsayberra) January 1, 2015
A couple more of Yogi skating with @TheAHL‘s St. Louis Flyers pic.twitter.com/mfY0lRWKnd
— Jason Chaimovitch (@JChaimo) September 23, 2015
Berra, who lived in New Jersey, was also a huge Devils fan as he had a relationship with Dr. John McMullen, who owned the Devils along with the Houston Astros, who brought Berra in as a coach in the 80’s. Lou Lamiorello reflected on his relationship with Yogi:
“He was almost synonymous with the Devils every day in my early days there. Every morning I’d walk in and he’d be there at South Mountain (Arena). He’d work out with Dr. McMullen. We’d sit down and have a coffee. I must have seen him six days a week for several years. He was just a good friend. He loved the game of hockey.”
He loved hockey so much that he wrote an op-ed about the Devils in the New York Times in 2003 after their third Stanley Cup championship:
Maybe a few more people should appreciate the Devils. The team gets criticized just for being good. A former Rangers coach said they’re just a bunch of interchangeable parts. Well, I’ve always been a Rangers fan, too, and I wish they had more interchangeable parts. Good teams always have them — guys who play for the team, not for themselves, and the Devils typify teamwork at its best. (…)
New York Rangers legend Rod Gilbert posted this on Wednesday:
How lucky I am to have been friends w #Yogi. pix:lost a bet in 94 when @NYRangers beat the Devils. RIP Yogi. pic.twitter.com/R4JV7rHrxb — Rod Gilbert (@rodgilbert7) September 23, 2015
That’s an awesome and unique piece of memorabilia.
Berra was universally loved, in his own sport, and in the hockey world. The latter poured out their tributes to him:
“The thing you say about him is I have never heard anybody say a negative word about him, anywhere, no matter what, or anything written negative,” Lamoriello said. “Everything was so positive.”
The #NJDevils mourn the loss of the legendary Yogi Berra. pic.twitter.com/ilcBaCXAeP
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) September 23, 2015
Condolences to @lindsayberra and her family on the passing of Yogi. Everybody’s favorite ball player. #legend
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 23, 2015
Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Yogi Berra! He was a great influence and good luck charm in our @NHLDevils championship years! — Ken Daneyko (@KenDaneykoMSG) September 23, 2015
Imagine as a young kid, getting to walk in the @NHLDevils locker room and seeing the Legendary Yogi working out every morning! #priceless — Ken Daneyko (@KenDaneykoMSG) September 23, 2015
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of North American sporting icon Yogi Berra who passed away last night at 90 years old. — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 23, 2015
“It ain’t over till it’s over.” Truer words were never spoken. RIP Yogi Berra
— Jim Craig (@JimCraigUSA) September 23, 2015
Rest in peace, Yogi. New York legend. pic.twitter.com/SkH3SADgR8 — New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 23, 2015
He was in our @NHLDevils locker room a lot as he was friends w/owner Dr McMullen. RIP Yogi https://t.co/y4boUkfrMp
— Tom Chorske (@hockeylogic) September 23, 2015
“We made too many wrong mistakes.” – Yogi Berra (this actually makes a lot of sense to experienced coaches & athletes) — Tom Chorske (@hockeylogic) September 23, 2015
Sympathies to the entire @Yankees family on the passing of Yogi Berra. His words will forever live on in all of sports.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 23, 2015
Spring training, 78, when I had a bad cold and was literally shaking, Yogi Berra took off his NYY warmup jacket and said, “Here, kid.” RIP.
— Michael Farber (@MichaelFarber3) September 23, 2015
The #NYR Organization would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Yogi Berra, a true New York sports icon. — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 23, 2015
Yogi passes. I guess it’s really “over”. RIP — The Hockey Rodent (@HockeyRodent) September 23, 2015
We tap our sticks to you, #Yogi. pic.twitter.com/WQNuGXieqj — St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 23, 2015
