The Yogi Book : I Really Didn't Say Everything I Said

by Yogi Berra

"It's déjà vu all over again"―only better. The Yogi Book , the New York Times bestseller, now has a fresh new design throughout, new photographs, a career timeline, and all-new appreciations by some of his greatest fans, including Billy Crystal. And it's timed to coincide with the 85th birthday of this American legend who's more beloved than ever.

As for the quotes, well, Yogi Berra's gift for saying the smartest things in the funniest, most memorable ways has made him a legend. Or, as The New Yorker put it, "Hardly anybody would quarrel that . . . Winston Churchill has been replaced by Yogi Berra as the favorite source of quotations." The Yogi Book brings all of his famous quotes together in one place―and even better, gives the story behind them. "It ain't over 'til it's over."―that’s Yogi's answer to a reporter when he was managing the Mets in July 1973, and they were nine games out of first place (not only quotable, but prophetic―they won the pennant). "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."―Yogi's comment to Stan Musial and Joe Garagiola about Ruggieri's Restaurant in St. Louis 1959. "It gets late early out there."―Yogi describing how shadows crept across Yankee Stadium's left field during late autumn afternoons.

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Humor, Nonfiction, Biography, Philosophy, Pop Culture

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra was an American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career (1946–1965) for the New York Yankees. Berra was one of only four players to be named the Most Valuable Player of the American League three times and is one of only six managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series. As a player, coach, or manager, Berra appeared in 21 World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Reviews

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

“Slump? I ain’t in no slump . . . I just ain’t hitting.”



I get asked quite frequently how I have time to read all of the books I read. The answer is pretty simple. I spend most of my free time doing this . . .



I was raised in the Church of Baseball by a family of loyal Cubs fans. P.S. Watch out world, we’re coming for you . . .



But I digress. In my present life I have the privilege of raising a couple of my own little leaguers. As Yogi Berra would say . . .

“Little league baseball is a good thing ‘cause it keeps the parents off streets and the kids out of the house!”

He ain’t lying. While other parents moan and groan about “how different things were when they were kids” my husband and I don’t have those experiences at all. In fact, we are the ones who still have to force the children to come back inside – neither rain nor snow or sleet nor hail keeps them indoors and as Yogi’s quotes will tell you, baseball teaches some valuable life lessons. Things like:

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”

and that . . .

“You can observe a lot by watching”

and . . .

“Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical”

and . . . .

“You can’t think and hit at the same time”

I cleaned out a closet a couple of weeks ago and discovered this little book. There wasn’t room in the organized hoard which is my “entertainment” bookshelf so I tossed this one on the coffee table in case the boys wanted to read it. When I heard Yogi Berra passed away, I immediately went downstairs and grabbed it. Reading Yogi’s quotes was like . . .

“Déjà vu all over again.”

While this book isn’t a real life-changer, I highly recommend it for any baseball superfan in your life - especially if he happens to be a catcher who wears the number 8 . . .


(as always, the part of small child is being played by Mitchell – this time he’s showing off his first over-the-fence homerun ball)

Yogi, thank you for being an example to my children – not only on the field, but especially off it. RIP and don’t forget . . .

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

[Gretchen Rubin]

I love aphorisms, proverbs, and koans, and I wanted to get my hands on a collection of Yogi Berra's sayings.

My favorite? Of a restaurant: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”

[Ricky Ginsburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliance comes in non sequiturs. I have only two books that I read constantly: this and the Tao. I'm constantly amazed at how similar they are.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book, but not quite as funny as his first book.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't have bought this book, but it's fine if you were waiting at the dentist or something. Nice little quips and some very good pictures.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really sure which is the title and which is the subtitle of The Yogi Book by Yogi Berra. But that really doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. This is a little book that takes about 10 minutes to read, one of those you might find near the checkout counter of a large book store chain. But it is filled with the delightful sayings of Yogi Berra, Hall of Fame catcher with the NY Yankees, Manager, and coach. Yogi goes through each one of his famous one-liners and cites the origin and the circumstances in which it "just came out." The sayings and explanations are accompanied by photographs of Yogi with some of the best know baseball players of his era, as well as friends, family members, childhood playmates, etc., many of them from his family's personal collection.

Who could forget great lines like these: "It ain't over 'till it's over"; "I wish I had an answer to that because I'm tired of answering that question"; "If I didn't wake up I'd still be sleeping"; "90% of the game is half mental"; or my favorite, when asked for directions, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Contrary to the subtitle, "I really didn't say everything I said," these are all legitimate quotes by Mr. Berra himself. Every one has an origin although a couple of them he doesn't remember saying but admits that he probably did.

A fun book for all, but as Yogi would say (and did) "If you can't imitate him, don't copy him."

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to be sports fan to enjoy this book. It is pure delight from beginning to end. Some of the things Yogi came up make so much sense, you’ll wonder why no one said them before. No one can say it quite like Yogi did. Be sure to read the forwards; they, too, are good entertainment, as are the many pictures included with the text.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short sweet and to the point: the funniest lines recorded by Yogi, including many you have never heard or didn't know the context.

[Mike Kowis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, but FUN READ includes several amusing quips from the legendary MLB Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. A few of my favs include:

We're lost, but we're making good time!
It ain't over til it's over.
Little League baseball is a good thing 'cause it keeps the parents off the streets and the kids out of the house!

The end of the book also includes a timeline of Yogi's personal and professional milestones. The only downside is that I was hoping for more backstory about the man himself. Otherwise, it's a great read!

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has the game gone?

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?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a humorous little book about the funny things that Yogi Berra has said, but this turned out to be so much more than that. Yes, it's funny; yes, it's got cute stories and amusing anecdotes about some of Berra's more cryptic comments. But it's also a warm, vibrant picture of a cheerful man, who has loved his life, his career, and his family; and this love shines through in everything he has done. His optimistic, good-natured approach to life's problems is both refreshing and inspiring.

This little book is packed with pictures of Yogi playing with his children, relaxing with his friends (and other baseball superstars), and of course, working hard at America's favorite pasttime. It is not an autobiography; it doesn't even tell a single chronological story. Instead, this series of vignettes illuminates bits and pieces of Berra's life, particularly his famous Yogi-isms. I wasn't expecting the character of Berra to shine through so dramatically, but it's the heart and soul of this almost-memoir. I cannot think of a single other book I read, true or fictional, with a main character as genuinely cheerful and honest as Yogi Berra in this book. He was ambitious and hardworking, he was passionate about the game, and he was an inspiration. Through life's ups and downs, through the wins and the losses, Yogi maintained his positive outlook and his gentle good humor.

[William]

Yogi may have been a Yankee, but he never acted like it.

There are probably other books similar to this one--compilations of his often hilarious "Yogiisms"--but this one is fairly comprehensive and features the bonus of Yogi explaining the context in which each was said. . . provided he can remember.

Yogi Berra was an American treasure and his malapropistic wisdom is one of the key voices in baseball's rich narrative tradition. Even if he was a Yankee.

I recommend this to baseball nerds, Americans, people who speak the English language, and people with a sense of humor.

[Don LaFountaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a little biased as I am a Yankee fan, love their history, and enjoy almost everything about them. This is a simple book that has a number of Yogisms, and a description of how each came about. It was a quick book to read, and pretty funny. I especially enjoyed all of the classic photos that were included. It is a must read for any Yankee fan. I feel even Yankee haters and people who just dislike the Yankees will enjoy this book. I mean, after all, it's Yogi Berra!

[Read1000books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yogi Berra was well-known as both a major league baseball catcher who earned ten World Series rings (surely a record) and as a humorous home-spun philosopher whose "Yogi-isms" (such as "When you come to a fork in the road, take it") are known by many. This small book is full of these quotes, when and where they originated, plus lots of photos and biographical info. Good entertainment for the baseball fan. And educational too :).

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a lot of fun. All the famous Yogi-isms and a few more. And Yogi comments on some of the comments, which is even more fun. Plus pictures from his career. My favorite page was near the end where there is a picture of Yogi and his wife and their children/grandchildren, with a quotation from each of them saying their own Yogi-type phrase.

[Sara Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Susan Roden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost like reading a comic book.
Lots of photos, and all twelve of Berra's great quotes.
Aside from that it is fun - cute -
Seems like a great gift for Dad, Grandpa, a Yankee fan or a fan of baseball history.
Yogi sounds like he was a great guy liked by his fellow players as much as the fans.

I learned all that in about an hour ;)

[Marguerite MacLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like baseball and even if you don't this was a laugh out loud look at one of the most memorable personalities in baseball. Yogi Berra is famous for some of the most memorable utterances. "It's aint over till it's over" "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." There were so many, and even some I had never heard of. I will read this again and again when I need a pick me up.

[Bob Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love Yogi Berra?

Yogi was my favorite baseball player growing up. He had an amazing career as a player, coach and manager. It was a lot of fun to read his take on his famous quotes.

[Gary Emig · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a genius. Fun read. I think we can all relate to saying things that are similar. One night I was driving back from a ball game with my family and I said, "I'm not lost, I just don't know where I am." I knew exactly what I meant :)

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice, brief compilation of many of Yogi's more famous sayings. The book provides some context to the quotes, and is loaded with pictures. A fun way to look at Yogi's legacy.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, just like this Yankee giant. We miss you Yogi.

[Abby Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny and very Yogi. I loved "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree section at the end."

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember giving my father this book, maybe for Christmas, a number of years ago. It wound up back in my hands after he passed away seven years ago. My dad and I shared a great love of baseball, and he grew up back in the era of the great Yankees teams that included Yogi, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and others.

The Yogi Book is a compendium of all of the crazy things that Yogi is said to have said in his lifetime.

"It ain't over till it's over," is one of those famous quotes. And in this little book, he gives a little bit of explanation of why those things were said, and in what context. This makes some of them make more sense, and some of them not. It's a funny little book, and gives a great deal of insight into who Yogi Berra was.

He had a great, illustrious career with the Yankees as a player, and then went on to coach and manage several teams, including the Yankees, which he managed more than once. The last time he managed the Yankees, he was fired in April of 1985, which spared a feud between him and owner Steinbrenner. Berra refused to set foot in Yankees stadium for another 14 years, and even missed a ceremony in which he was given a plaque in Monument Park in the stadium.

Berra had a record of appearing in 14 World Series, and 10 championships. He caught the only perfect game in World Series history, pitched by Don Larsen. All of this and more is included in a time line of his life in the back of the book.

It's a fun little book, with testimonials by other people with whom he played, as well as coaches and broadcasters. But the best part is all of the quotes. Here is a sample of the best ones.

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded," said about a restaurant in his old neighborhood in St. Louis.

"The other team could make trouble for us if they win."

"It's deja vu all over again."

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." This was said to Joe Garagiola, as he was trying to give directions to his house. He also told Joe, "I know just where you are. Don't go the other way, come this way."

"90% of the game is half mental."

"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours."

There are plenty others in this enjoyable book. This would be a great addition to any true lover of the game.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would categorize this as a book that isn't necessary to read cover-to-cover, but in fact after paging around a bit, that is what I did - read it like a "regular" book. For one thing, it is a nice thing once in a while to read a book completely in one sitting (and given how slowly I read, it doesn't happen often).

At first, this book doesn't look all that promising, with pages of quotes from Yogi Berra who sometimes expressed himself . . . oddly. But then people might see some Zen-like cleverness in his expressions, such as, "It ain't over till it's over" and "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." And there is more to it than that, since it also has things to say about baseball (or baseball history) and for each quote, there is some more or less straight commentary (usually not humorous) from Berra and occasionally quotes or information from others. Plenty of photographs are also included.

[Ned Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yogi Berra was a great ball player usually remembered more for his seemingly daffy expressions than his skills at and behind the plate. Easy to understand how many people would tilt their heads like a Retriever upon hearing his most quotable quotables, like, "it gets late early out there." But maybe I’ve got a bit of Yogi in me, because most of his supposed malapropisms make perfect sense to me. " It’s not over till it’s over." "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." And, "it’s Deja Vu all over again." I get why they called him Yogi! Whether you’re a Retriever or a Believer, you can’t lose. You’ll either be bemused or amused.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yogi explains "Yogi-isms". Yogi had a way of expressing himself that no one after him could match. However, many of us graybeards remember that the original master of malaprops was Yogi's manager, Casey Stengel. Yogi learned at the feet of a true master. Stengel once told his players to line up, alphabetically, by height. A fun book with great pictures of some of baseball's finest. The last photo of Yogi and his family and their malaprops is delightful. Enjoy.

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Yogi Book: I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said” by Yogi Berra was released by Workman Publishing in 2010. This very collectible book will have an honored place on my sports book shelf. Yogi is a special personality, a sports philosopher, and a legendary athlete. The pictures, timelines, and Yogi wisdom I will long remember and share with my friends. (P)

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't imagine any American not liking Yogi Berra. Despite his celebrity status, he was one of the most down-to-earth guys who ever earned fame as an athlete. If you want a reason to smile, you should read this quick-to-read quote book.

[Johnnysbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, quick book to read about Yogi's quotes he has said. The yogisms that will change your life. If you see a fork in the road, take it! 

Highly recommend getting this book. It was a fun read, and I'll probably come back to again and again.