Lawrence Peter Berra, born May 12th 1925 in St. Louis Missouri, grew up in a neighborhood called the Hill. His mother had trouble pronouncing Lawrence so his family nickname was "Lawdie."
He received his famous nickname Yogi from a friend by the name of Bobby Hofman while watching a movie about a snake charmer. Bobby said that Lawrence resembled a Hindu holy man (known as a Yogi).

As a boy, Yogi played baseball, soccer, football, hockey and even softball. He played his first organized baseball with the YMCA team and then later played with the American Legion.

After his service in World War II, Yogi Berra joined the Yankees late in the 1946 season. He hit a home run his first time up to bat -- a very uncommon feat. Yogi was the catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946 until 1963, was the league's most valuable player in 1951 and 1954, had a 358 home run career, and played in 14 World Series. All in all, Berra had an impressive baseball career. However, he is still known best for his accomplishments after he retired as a player.

Yogi managed the Yankees in 1964, winning the pennant, but losing the World Series. This resulted in him being fired. He then coached the New York Mets in the National League from 1965 until 1972, becoming the team manager from 1972 until 1975. He was once again a coach with the Yankees and then a manager again until he was fired for a second time in the 1985 season. As a coach and a manager, he led his teams to the World Series five times, of which he won three. Yogi Berra was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Yogi Berra was married in January of 1949. He and his wife have three children, and his two sons both play professional sports. Don Berra played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. His son Tim Berra played pro football for the Baltimore Colts in 1974.