Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 155

catching as the Yankees won the American League Pennant. They faced the Dodgers in the World Series and defeated their cross town rivals with Berra becoming the first player to hit a pinch hit home run in Series history. Again in 1948 he caught and played outfield and batted .305 with 98 RBI.

Casey Stengel took over as Yankee manager in 1949 and immediately tabbed Berra as his starting catcher and had former catching great Bill Dickey work with Yogi on improving his defense. “He (Dickey) is learning me his experience,” is how Berra put it. That season the Yanks began their run of five

straight World Championships with Yogi, their offensive and defensive leader, becoming known for his clutch hitting and strong defense. He drove in 124 runs and scored 116 in 1950 and won the MVP in 1951. In 1952 Berra became the first AL catcher to slug 30 home runs and went deep twice in the World Series.

The following season Yogi reached the 100 RBI mark again – 108, and batted .429 in the Fall Classic as the Yankees won their record fifth consecutive title.

Berra was now a perennial All-Star and drawing praise for his hitting and play behind the plate from fellow Yankees and opponents. “To me,” Stengel said, “he is a great man. I am lucky

to have him and so are my pitchers.” Yogi was quick to understand the makeup of the Yank hurlers and was successful in