Yogi Fully Insured by Hearts Across America

Yogi Berra
Image/Fimho.com

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”

Thinking of one of the many contradictory head scratching statements we all loved him for, we fondly remember the great Yogi Berra, perhaps the greatest New York Yankee and a true American Classic, who died yesterday at 90.

An All Star catcher with his beloved Yankees, it was Yogi Berra who won more championship rings than any other, and also won as a manager as well, even with a stint with the crosstown New York Mets.

Berra was a Yankee legend to be sure, but with his famous Yogi-isms and wonderful smile, he was beloved by not only the baseball community, but all across America. Berra quit playing the year before I was born, so I never got to see him play.

But I sure knew him from following America's past time from a very early age.  He made me laugh, and sincerely making people laugh is a wonderful trait for anyone to have.

Perhaps his greatest quip was, "It ain't over 'till it's over", is repeated frequently as recently as yesterday in a ball park somewhere.  However, he gave me the greatest enjoyment during his commercial for AFLAC Insurance, which friends and I continuously quote from.

 

God Bless You Yogi!  It ain't over 'till it's over.

Playing Ball

Derek Jeter

Without question, sports has always been deeply embedded in the fabric of our nation.  Lessons that are learned on the diamond, in the gym and on the gridiron assist participants in all aspects of their life. Discipline, responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, passion, work ethic and sportsmanship are among the many attributes on display.

Last evening at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter played his last home game in Yankee pinstripes in front of an adoring crowd.  Jeter, who had previously announced he would be retiring at seasons end, had been on a farewell tour which ended for the home crowd on this evening threatened by rain.

You see, this was special.  Jeter will not be considered the best Yankee of all time, as there are legends of the first order for this storied franchise, but Jeter is no doubt among the best.  However, it is worth noting that Jeter is representative of all the aforementioned attributes you can find in a player.

With the media focusing on so many stories about players in various sports who  are having difficulties like the rest of society, fans and parents can point to Jeter to see an example of doing it right.  Jeter, an instant Hall of Famer when eligible, is a class act, and what went on last night was story book.

Jeter hit a walk off single to score a run and give the Yankees a victory of AL East Champion Baltimore.  The Orioles players and staff did not seem to mind, as they were taken in by the events of the evening that put a smile on sports fans everywhere.  Jeter thanked and congratulated the Orioles.

For those who embrace the romance of the game, and those who appreciate the example Jeter set in the world of professional sports, we can all tip out hat to one of the best, Derek Jeter.


The Yankees are not my favorite baseball team, but I do like them and have great appreciation for their storied history.  My favorite team is the Kansas City Royals, with whom the Yankees had legendary battles with in the late seventies and early eighties.

It has been quite a long time since Kansas City was relevant in the game, owning the longest post-season drought in MLB, or any major sport for that matter.  But, behind Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer, the long drought appears on the brink of ending.

The Hunt for Blue October. My family and I really enjoyed attending a Kansas City Royals game a couple of weeks ago as they attempt to make the postseason for the first time since 1985. Alex Gordon hit a two run homer to knock of the Texas Rangers.

Optimism is high, and with another victory or two, the Royals will be in postseason.  I hop they can make it. #Be Royal #KCR

Kauffman Stadium at The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, Kansas City MO

The House That Ruth Built

Prior to the 2008 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium, many Hall of Famers were honored which turned out to be the most stout collections of baseballs greats ever to be on the same field.

This is the final season for The House That Ruth Built as a new Yankee Stadium will be ready next spring. Although I like the Yankees and appreciate the history of the franchise, my favorite player of all time had tremendous success and fame at Yankee Stadium, Kansas City's George Brett. Brett, pictured at left, was one of the HOF players honored tonight. Over the years, he blasted towering home runs and got up close and personal with pine tar at Yankee Stadium.

Among the Yankee greats, and there are many of them, one of my favorites is Yogi Berra, a great New Yorker indeed. Yogi Berra is quite a character and participated in one the greatest television commercials of all time. Yogi at his finest!



If you get hurt and miss work, it don't hurt to miss work!