1 Yogi, 2 stadiums

Yogi Berra will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday afternoon at the Yankees’ home opener in their new stadium.











At Yankee Stadium, a shot of Berra and Larsen embracing after the perfect game
















At Citi Field, fans can see Yogi Berra on Jackie Robinson’s steal of home in the 1955 World Series












Yankee Stadium’s museum has a statue of Yogi Berra catching Don Larsen, right, who threw a perfect game in the 1956 Series.













He lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II, played on 10 World Series champions, won three American League Most Valuable Player awards as a catcher, managed both the Yankees and theMets into the World Series, and has met all but one United States president since Harry S. Truman.

“Truman’s from Missouri,” said Berra, who was born in St. Louis and sometimes speaks of departed people in the present tense. The only president since 1945 that Berra has not met is Barack Obama. “Not yet,” Berra said with a smile. “He’s been traveling.”

Lou Gehrig: Iron Horse

A little maudlin, rather romanticized piece; clearly the man idolizes Gehrig, which ain't bad. The picture in the newspaper has a sepia tone, which makes it great. Still, it's Gehrig.

At the end of this baseball season, we will say goodbye to Yankee Stadium. My favorite memory of the ballpark comes from a game played 70 years ago this month. I wasn't there, but I have a picture of it in my mind, and I will cling to it when they tear up the sod and knock down the walls this winter.

I was so out of touch with baseball that I didn't even realize the Stadium was being replaced. My great memory is going to the Stadium for a double-header the Yankees played against the Red Sox: Elston Howard Day. Pepitone hit a grand-slammer in the first inning. After the second game, we walked out onto the warning track to get out of the Stadium; I remember standing by the 463ft. sign, looking toward home plate, and thinking it seemed very far away.

Ex-Yanks star, broadcaster Bobby Murcer dies at 62

Dang! I remember Bobby Murcer coming up to Yankee Stadium as a peach-fuzzed, fair-faced youngster, slated (unfairly and impossibly) as Mantle's successor. Now he's gone.

I also remember he was Munson's great friend, and delivered an eulogy after Munson dies in a plane accident. That happened in 1979 -- dang! I thought it'd happened whilst I was in college. but, no, I was already working at Hess.