The Yogi Book

The recipient loved it! I read most of it before I had to give it up for a Christmas present, it features Yogi's best gems, plus some backstory on the context, which was really neat. A great gift for fans of old-school baseball and the crazy men who played it.

Yogi Berra passed away September 22, 2015 and was a legend in his own time. Even though he seems to be most known for his unusual quotes and sense of humor; nevertheless, his true fame are his numerous accomplishments in baseball. This amazing baseball star played on ten world championship teams and won the American League MVP award three times. In 1972 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I picked up this witty and humorous soft cover book (The Yogi Book: “I really didn’t say everything I said.” by Yogi Berra) at our library. He grew up in an Italian-American section of St. Louis called “The Hill.” His love of baseball began in his youth and he developed into one of the greatest ball players in American Baseball. There are many books on Yogi with numerous quotations that supposedly he made, but this book has the actual quotes he made in his lifetime.

This wonderful book includes how some of the actual quotes came about in his life. His reputation for saying smart things in, shall we say unusual ways, will live on forever. Interestingly, if you think about some of his most famous quotes they are true but said in his own unique way. Here are just a few examples of his special talent using the English language. “It ain’t over till it’s over.” “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” “You can observe a lot by watching.” “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours.”

Whether you are a Yogi Berra fan or not this book is humorous and an enjoyable read.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute).

A few years ago I picked a copy of the "Yogi Book" off a bookstore shelf. I couldn't put it down. It contains all the classic Yogi-isms, including a few I hadn't heard before, as well as a description of the occasion on which he said them. Although I thought I was an expert on Yogi Berra's quotes, I discovered that I didn't know half of what I knew. (Example: I had been told that his classic statement about nobody eating in the restaurant because it's too crowded was a reference to Toot Shor's restaurant in New York. It wasn't. It was to a reference to a restaurant in St. Louis.) So, reading this book was a learning experience.

The truth is that as one thinks through what Yogi is saying, some of it actually makes sense. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I've had several of them myself." Sounds strange, doesn't it? But think a moment. It really is possible to have several once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so long as they're in a different area of life. And that's the way it is with a lot of these memorable statements. Yogi is a lot more perceptive than we think. This book helps us to understand this.

In closing, let me leave you with a quote from Berra relayed by Joe Garagiola (which didn't make it into this book): "Do you know how long I had to wait for those air conditioners that never came?" (Ponder that one for a while.)

I glanced through a few of the reviews and was really stunned to see 1 and 2 star reviews. Also, many of the reviewers are for some reason quoting the book. One might think twice before buying it because 50% of the material is already quoted in the reviews. Why are we attempting to steel the limelight from the man? That's like dropping the curtain before the first act. But don't be deterred. Yogi's book is worthy of any Baseball Book Collection.

I grew up watching Yogi and Joe call ball games for NBC's game of the week. Obviously Yogi didn't do as many games as Joe, I think he would show-up on an off day just to make sure Joe was still awake.
It was the Golden Era of Baseball. Where have those days gone? I'm sure Yogi would have a very profound saying for just such an occasion: "There not lost, maybe misplaced," or "The good old days. Did I miss them?"

What I really liked about this very quick read is the humbleness and closeness of family depicted in all of the pictures and narrations. The last page sums up his playing/managing and life--"My Pride and Joy." A picture of the entire Bera family. I can't think of a better way to end a book. It's not a picture of him wearing one of the many World Series Rings or of him making a great play at the plate, it's his family. Isn't that the heart and soul of the Greatest Game?

Will those days ever return?

THE YOGI BOOK is a great coffee table book that could really be read in about 15 minutes. It's fascinating to discover what YOGI BERRA actually did say because so many of the things people said he said he really didn't say. I was happy to discover my favorite YOGI-ism was authentic. On a day when Yogi received the key to New York City, the Mayor's wife commented on how "cool" he was dressed. He said, "Thanks, Lady. You don't look so hot yourself." Yogi's commentary in the book suggested that his comment slipped out because he was nervous about the speech he had to make (p.54). Yogi's commentary is a nice feature of the book; it was interesting to hear his reasoning and background behind all the things he said. You will definitely chuckle, and best of all, the next time people start citing their favorite YOGI-isms, you will be able to add a few lesser known quotes while clarifying any that were mentioned that he really didn't say. Buy the book and let Yogi enlighten you. Afterall, not buying this book would be another "...wrong mistake."

This small book contains many of Yogi Berra's humorous, and sometimes thought-provoking, statements. I added over 30 to my quotes collection. He explains how many originated and that he did not say some of the sayings attributed to him (p. 9: I really didn't say everything I said). Quite a few of them have been quoted so often as to have become part of our culture:

p. 30: It's dèja vu all over again!

p. 95: You can learn a lot by watching.

p. 118: The future ain't what it used to be.

But some were new to me:

p. 64: It gets late early out here.

p. 73: Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours.

p. 93: Never answer an anonymous letter.

Finally, Yogi's family contributed some of their own:

p. 125: Tim-I knew exactly where it was, I just couldn't find it.

p. 125: Betsy-Sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself.

p. 125: Mario-I've double checked it six times.

What I liked about The Yogi Book is that it was a book about the man, by the man and for the man. It is a very simple book with a promising concept that had great pictures and timeless memories. The cut and dry attitude answers and explains the questions about his famous quotes in a way that is most delightful. The lack of nonsense and filler made the experience much more enjoyable and, combined with the fact that it was actually Yogi talking, made everything feel much more authentic and pure.
The one factor that seems to be a downside of the book is that is a very quick read. I was able to finish it in one hasty sitting and, being about as cheap as the day is long, I saw no need to purchase the book. For those that are fans as frugal as myself, I would recommend not purchasing but definitely reading.
Don't get me wrong, sure I'm a cheap [expletive], but that doesn't take away from this great read. You will be smiling the entire time you are reading and will be pleased that you took the time to go through all the classic quotes and great memories. Short and sweet, there's nothing wrong with that.

One of my favorite Yogi-isms isn't from any of these books--it appeared in an insurance commercial he starred in, where he remarks that the policy they sell has this feature: "If you get hurt and miss work, it doesn't hurt to miss work." Everybody in the barber shop where he is at the time goes "huh?" If I'd been one of those customers, I wouldn't have had that reaction.

At the moment people in Major League Baseball are lobbying for him to get the Congressional Medal of Freedom, based on his contributions to society not necessarily confined to his Big League career. Last I knew, the online petition had passed the chief hurdle. One thing books like this one illustrates is that Yogi is a folk philosopher easily in the league of Mark Twain and Will Rogers, to name a couple.

This book has a lot of Yogi's famous sayings and how they first originated. While I was too young to see Yogi play, I've always admired him. Not just because of his apparent intent to destroy the English language with all of his malaprops, but also because of his Hall of Fame baseball career and his overall intelligence. When I was young and first heard some of his now famous quotes, I used to derive hours of giggles from them. Now that I am much older and hopefully wiser, I realize that Yogi makes a tremendous amount of sense with his observations. Essentially he's saying things in a short sentence that most of us spend an hour saying.
For example, "When You Come To a Fork in the Road, Take it," he's saying if you have a great chance for something, go after it and don't look back. Or when he says "It Ain't Over Til It's Over," he's saying the game is never over until the final out or the clock runs out on you. Or "You Can Observe A Lot By Watching," he's telling his former Yankee players to pay attention to the game they're playing in! After having read this short but fascinating and at times hilarious book, I've gained a new respect for Yogi as one of the truly great minds and people major league baseball has ever been lucky enough to have. While his quotes may prompt English teachers to jump out windows, I hope we get to hear a lot more of them.

What I liked about The Yogi Book is that it was a book about the man, by the man and for the man. It is a very simple book with a promising concept that had great pictures and timeless memories. The cut and dry attitude answers and explains the questions about his famous quotes in a way that is most delightful. The lack of nonsense and filler made the experience much more enjoyable and, combined with the fact that it was actually Yogi talking, made everything feel much more authentic and pure.
The one factor that seems to be a downside of the book is that is a very quick read. I was able to finish it in one hasty sitting and, being about as cheap as the day is long, I saw no need to purchase the book. For those that are fans as frugal as myself, I would recommend not purchasing but definitely reading.
Don't get me wrong, sure I'm a cheap [expletive], but that doesn't take away from this great read. You will be smiling the entire time you are reading and will be pleased that you took the time to go through all the classic quotes and great memories. Short and sweet, there's nothing wrong with that.

Yogisms are a special kind of aphorism which usually involve a certain surface absurdity , and perhaps grammatical error- a cliche mispoken- but which add up somehow to something funny and wise at the same time.
Hearing that the mayor of Dublin Robert Briscoe was Jewish , Yogi said, "Only in America".
When Mantle and Maris hit back- to - back home runs in their famous duel to hit sixty homers, Yogi said "It's Deja- Vu again"
I somehow thought it was Casey Stengel another aphorist of note, but this book says it's Yogi who said ," It ain't over till it's over".
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
"You should always go to other peoples' funerals , otherwise they won't go to yours."
About Yogi himself it might be said " They broke the mold when they made him" Or with a word of apology to Leo the Lip " Nice guys are funny first."

This book is humorous even if you know little about baseball or Yogi Berra. My brother is a baseball fanatic, and he owns this book. He graciously allowed me to read it, and I couldn't stop laughing. Of course he loved it way more than I did, and I'm sure he'd give it five stars. Therefore I am giving it four, which is halfway between my three and his five. Math.

Even people who don't care for baseball love Yogi Berra and his way with words. For years I've hoped that someone would do a book like this one, and here it is at last. Not only does it collect and present the best comments of baseball's great philosopher -- it provides background and context for every Yogi-ism. Those who complain that the book has big type and lots of pictures just don't get the point. Sometimes there's a lot in a little book, and this is one of those books. Highly, and delightedly, recommended. -- Richard B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School

This short book contains many of our favorite Yogi-isms. (If I have to define that term, this book may not be for you. On the other hand, maybe this would be a nice exposure to them!) It even contains a little background on where the quote came from, or what Yogi was trying to communicate – plus some anecdotes from friends and former teammates. It also has some nice photographs, taken both on and off the field.

Unfortunately, there is so little content to this book that it felt like a quick money-grab by the publishers. I would have preferred a LITTLE more substance – something that took me more than an hour to go through cover-to-cover.

It is what it is.

RATING: 3 stars.

You always hear yogiisms pop up like "you can observe a lot by watching" - they combine homespun wisdom, unique humor, and gramatical error. In this book, Yogi puts it all together in a wonderful excursion into his life and mind, and the result is very very fun and funny. He is really from a less cynical time, when it was easier to believe in heros and you could take things more at face value. I love this book and have perused it many times for a chuckle as well as a good quote to post around the office. Great gift book.

This book is a great, but short read. It has most of Yogi's famous quotes and some that are not so famous, like something he may have said to his wife. If you are a Yogi Berra fan from way back or you just like him because of his different way of putting things, this is a must have. I got it yesterday and I finished it in a half-hour or so. So like I said it is not a long read but very enjoyable and will make you chuckle.

This is a must have for Yogi Berra fans or just anybody who appreciates baseball in an older, more pure era. This book contains not only his most famous quotes, but many from his personal life at home as well. The book is short (30 minute read). It is definately well worth reading or at least scanning through.

While Yogi may not have intended it, some of his statements are absolute gems in a business setting. For example, "When you reach the fork in the road, take it" is very useful in explaining the importance of making decisions. I use Yogi quotes all the time in speeches on serious subjects and they work very well.

This is a great little book to leave in the bathroom for a few laughs from the inimitable Yogi.
Lots of good pics and a little insight to the circumstances in which he uttered many of those now infamous "quotes"

I HAVE HEARD YOGI'S "WORDS OF WISDOM" HERE AND THERE FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER. IT'S AWESOME TO FIND THEM ALL GATHERED IN ONE PLACE AND TO LEARN THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND BACKGROUND STORY ON ALL OF THEM. FOR ANYONE THAT HAS EVER WONDERED WHY HE SAID WHAT HE SAID, THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!

Yogi really DIDN'T say everything that's attributed to him. A whole cottage industry for sports writers has sprung up inventing way too clever stuff and putting it in Yogi's mouth.
Unfortunately, it may be too late to correct the record. How can Yogi disown such gems as "It's deja vu all over again" when everybody WANTS to believe he said it?
In the early 1980's I read an interview with Berra in which a journalist walked him through the fifty best known Berraisms, and Yogi disowned about half of them. Included in the spurious Berraisms was the world-renowned "It's deja vu all over again."
Sorry to be a spoilsport, but let's have a little truth here. Does anyone seriously believe that during his playing days this guy, who had such a shaky command of basic English, had the French expession "deja vu" in his word stock to draw upon when needed?