Watch CBS News

Yogi Berra Nominated For Presidential Medal Of Freedom, Celebrates 90th Birthday

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Baseball great Yogi Berra turned 90 on Tuesday.

In his honor the day was dubbed Yogi Berra Day in New York and New Jersey.

As CBS2's Steve Overmyer explained, a wise man once said, 'you can observe a lot by watching.' On Tuesday, we observed the birthday of a man who goes beyond the title of legend.

"I wrote once in a birthday card that if we had grown up together he was the kind of guy we woulda been hanging out and been best friends forever," Bruce Harper said.

"It ain't over till it's over," and "it's deja vu all over again," are just some of the gems that might make Berra the most quoted living American. They are filled with humor and also a zen-like wisdom.

Yogi Berra Nominated For Presidential Medal Of Freedom, Celebrates 90th Birthday

"The funny thing is in some ways they don't make sense. You think they don't make sense, but you think about it over and over and they make plenty of sense," Mickey Rivers said.

Surrounded by friends and family, Berra still showed off that familiar smile. His museum just received replacements for the stolen World Series rings. It couldn't have been a better birthday present.

"He was so excited to be here today. He really wanted to take pictures with everyone. He loves being here. Sometimes he asks me if he can sleep here, but we don't want him to do that," Lindsay Berra said.

Yogi didn't speak on Tuesday, he didn't need to say anything. Then again, he "never said half the things he said."

His family was hoping to add one more honor to Yogi's museum. He has been recommended for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. He needs 92,000 signatures. Right now he has 7,000.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.