The legendary Yogi Berra is baseball's greatest champion, winning more World Series (10) than any other player. The Yankees teams that Berra played on won the Series in 1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, and 1962. On top of that, his teams won the American League championship 14 times.

Lawrence Berra was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 12, 1925. He got the nickname "Yogi" from a childhood friend who said he looked like a yogi in a Hindu-themed movie.

After serving in the Navy during World War II as a machine gunman on a rocket boat, Berra joined the New York Yankees minor league team, the Newark Bears, in 1946. He was promoted to the Yankees the next year.

Berra quickly established himself as one of the game's great players. On teams with superstars such as Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, he set himself apart with his ability to hit any pitch, even those that were way outside the strike zone. Describing his hitting philosophy, Berra said, "If I can see it, I can hit it," and "When you're going well, everything looks good."

In 1951, 1954, and 1955, Berra was named American League Most Valuable Player (MVP). His 1954 and 1955 MVP seasons made him the only player to win the award in back-to-back seasons. He played in the All-Star Game for 15 consecutive seasons from 1948 to 1962. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Equally as impressive as Berra's baseball career is his cultural impact. Berra is well known for his quotes, often called Yogi-isms. Berra has also made a big impact on television. Hanna Barbera Studios named the cartoon character Yogi Bear after him, and he continues to appear in many television commercials.

Berra currently lives in Montclair and has called New Jersey home since 1952.

Next: The Yogi Berra Museum