The Yankees honored Yogi Berra before Thursday’s game in The Bronx, as much for his military service as his history with the team.
Before the national anthem, a video honoring Berra was shown on the scoreboard and a wreath of flowers shaped like the number 8 was brought out and laid behind home plate by catchers Brian McCann, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez, as well as former catcher, manager Joe Girardi.
With the color guard displaying the flag in the outfield, a Naval officer played taps while the Yankees wore black No. 8s on their left uniform sleeves and a No. 8 was painted near each baseline.
Berra served in World War II as a Navy gunner’s mate and took fire on D-Day a few years before starting his career with the Yankees. Berra died late Tuesday at the age of 90.
“It’s been a tough couple of days for us,” Girardi said before the Yankees nipped the White Sox 3-2 after playing Wednesday in Toronto. “Yogi meant so much to the city, the organization, to all of us. For me, personally, I miss him. I had a chance to talk to him Saturday before the game. You never think that it’s gonna be the last time you’re gonna get to talk to someone.”
And with the Yankees trying to make it back to the playoffs after missing out the past two seasons, Girardi said he believed he knew what Berra would say to the team.
“Finish the job is what he would tell us,” Girardi said. “Our hearts are heavy.”
White Sox closer David Robertson also remembered Berra.
“I always used to love seeing Yogi walking down the hall and he’d always yell at me, ‘What’s up, slim?’ ” the former Yankee said. “I’m pretty skinny, but I’m not real tall or anything, but maybe I felt tall to him.”
“I miss having him around here,” Girardi said. “The knowledge he gave me. … It’s not going to be the same.”
— Additional reporting by Howie Kussoy