Little League is is good thing because it keeps parents off the street and kids out of the house.

• Yogi never played Little League because there wasn’t anywhere he grew up in St. Louis but he did play a lot of what he calls “sandlot” baseball where kids just had fun and there was no pressure. He feels Little League can be a good thing when coaches and parents just let kids play and enjoy themselves. It’s too bad that many kids don’t play unless they are given uniforms, coaches, trophies, and banquets.

A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.

• As soon as Yogi and his three brothers were old enough, they had to look for jobs to help support the family. Since money was so hard to come by, Yogi became serious about it. “Whenever you negotiate you should leave room for compromise but stick to your guns. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you and use whatever leverage you have…I’ve always been serious about money. Maybe because it was hard to get, and it’s never worth what it once was.”

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

• “I’ve always lived by this rule, especially when things look darkest.” At the age of sixteen, Branch Rickey (the smartest man in baseball) told Yogi that he was too awkward and should find another career. He couldn’t accept that his great hope was over before it started so he worked hard to improve and get another chance. He cites Harry Truman as saying “I wonder how far Moses would have gone if he’d taken a poll in Egypt?”

It gets late early out here.

• This quote was in reference to the shadows the showed up early in the afternoon when Yogi started playing left field in Yankee Stadium. Since then many people have seen how it applies to life when things come earlier than you expect. Yogi’s advice is to take care of yourself, exercise, watch what you eat and drink, and continue to set goals. If you don’t set them you can’t regret not reaching them.

If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him.

• Always be true to yourself. Be your own person. It’s ok to idolize somebody, but you have to do things that are right for you. Role models are very important. Being a good role model means living a positive life, taking care of your family, and doing well for society. If you can copy someone with the same result, that’s fine. If you can’t, then do it your way.

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