Yankees legend Yogi Berra dies at 90

Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, renowned as much for his lovable, linguistically dizzying ''Yogi-isms'' as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, died Tuesday. He was 90.

Berra, who filled baseball's record book as well as ''Bartlett's Familiar Quotations,'' died of natural causes at his home in New Jersey, according to Dave Kaplan, the director of the Yogi Berra Museum.

Berra, one of the most beloved figures in baseball history, was an 18-time All-Star, and 13-time World Series champion, including three as a manager, that played all but four of his 2,120 career games for the Yankees. He was also a a three-time MVP, and managed both the Yankees and New York Mets. He played in more World Series games than any other major leaguer.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Yankees legend and American hero, Yogi Berra," the Yankees tweeted.

Berra was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, and his No. 8 was retired by the Yankees the same year.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The 5-foot-7, 185-pound backstop hit .285 with 358 home runs and 1,430 RBIs over his 19-year career, but is perhaps best known for his Yogi-isms - a witty comment or statement said in jest to inspire a laugh.

FAMOUS YOGI-ISMS

• "It ain't over 'till it's over."

• "Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

• "Little League Baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets."

• "We made too many wrong mistakes."

• "It's like deja-vu, all over again."

Related - Top 20 Yogi-isms: Berra's most memorable quotes

Berra was a fan favorite, especially with children, and the cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him.

Until recent years, he remained a fixture at Yankee Stadium and in the clubhouse, where the likes of Derek Jeter, Joe Torre and others in pinstripes looked up to the diminutive old-timer.

In 1956, Berra caught the only perfect game in World Series history and after the last out leaped into pitcher Don Larsen's arms. The famous moment is still often replayed on baseball broadcasts.

After his playing days, Berra coached or managed the Yankees, Mets and Houston Astros. He led both the Yankees and Mets to pennants.

In 1985, his firing as manager by the Yankees 16 games into the season sparked a feud with George Steinbrenner. Berra vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium as long as Steinbrenner owned the team.

But in 1999, Berra finally relented, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the Yankees' season-opener.

Berra, who played in 15 straight All-Star Games, never earned more than $65,000 a season. He died on the same date, Sept. 22, as his big league debut 69 years earlier.

- With files from theScore