I really didn’t say everything I said

Yesterday heaven welcomed its newest citizen, Yogi Berra. Upon hearing news about the passing of this 90 year-old icon, I couldn’t help but reflect back to my own childhood when I faithfully watched every Yankees baseball game I possibly could.
Yogi was a symbol of excellence and much else that really matters in life. As a teammate of greats like, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Marris, and Whitey Ford, to name a few, Yogi’s number 8 was never overshadowed by any these other superstars as he won the hearts of people both inside and outside of baseball. Although a member of the baseball Hall of Fame and holder of numerous MVP awards, Berra may ultimately be better known for his wit and wisdom, especially his unique way to express a thought. In fact, he even had his own brand of articulation referred to as a “Yogism” (pronounced yogi-ism) and defined as, stating truth in a humorous manner.
He’s the one who said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.” And, “It ain’t over ’till it’s over.” Known to be good natured, Yogi put others at ease with his unpretentious persona. He once had the opportunity to meet the Pope. While most would correctly greet him with, “Your Holiness,” “Most Holy Father,” or “Holy Father,” when Yogi approached the Pontiff, who spoke first with, “Hello Yogi,” he responded with a simple, “Hello Pope.” Similarly my father, Samuel Brown met Yogi once in a large chain store in New Jersey. Yogi was behind a table promoting the soft drink, Yoo-hoo. My father felt at ease enough to walk up to the man with his hand outstretched and say, “Why it’s Yogala Berrala!” Unoffended, Yogi warmly reached his hand out to the stranger and greeted dad just like he might an old friend. By all reports that’s just the kind of man he was.
For your reading enjoyment and to his honor, here are just a few of my favorite Yogisms:
Giving baseball advice: “You can’t think and hit at the same time.” And, “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”
Also: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
“A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” And of course, “It’s deja vu all over again!”
“When you come to a fork in the road take it.”
Finally, when speaking of his expressions Yogi said, “I really didn’t say everything I said.”