Many New Yorkers awoke this morning to learn that beloved Yankee legend, Yogi Berra, had passed away at the age of 90. 

Yogi Berra, aka Lawrence Peter Berra, was a member of 10 Yankee championship teams, a three time American League MVP, and a Hall of Famer. 

  In his 18-year career, from 1946-1963, Yogi played in the World Series 14 times. Yes, again, the world championship was within reach nearly every single year Yogi Berra donned pinstripes. 

The closest comparison you can make to that level of achievement is maybe Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics, or Jack Nicklaus, who had 73 PGA Tour wins in a 41-year career.

Apart from playing for the Yankees, Berra spent two seasons as manager for the Yankees, and one as the Met's.

Off the field, he was well known as an eclectic wordsmith, creating "Yogi-isms," such as, "It ain't over till it's over", "Baseball is 90% mental, and the other half is physical", and, "I might've said 'em, but you never know." He was also the inspiration for Yogi Bear, a cartoon bear who debuted in 1958. 

Prior to his successful career in baseball, Berra had served two years in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served as a gunner's mate in the D-Day invasion. Like Yankee's owner Hal Steinbrenner said, Berra's "legacy transcends baseball." 

He will be greatly missed by all New Yorkers and baseball fans everywhere. 

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[via NY Times]

[Feature Image Courtesy of ESPN]