A Role Model for 90 Years and Counting

Full Article here:  http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/123743936/fans-can-back-medal-of-freedom-for-yogi

In the May 14th class (2nd module) we discussed why athletes are seen as role models and what characteristics constitute a role model.  Provided to us in the power point was a role model checklist containing characteristics which included: 

• Honesty
• Commitment
• Good sportsmanship
• A sense of humor
• Fairness
• Determination
• Good self-image
• High moral values  

In the article above about a petition to grant Yogi Berra the Medal of Freedom, not only does the author, Marty Noble, state the reasons why Berra should be rewarded with such an honor, but also why he is a role model to many people in America.  Noble mentions several of these characteristics in his article including

• Commitment
• Good sportsmanship
• Fairness
• Determination
• Good self-image
• High moral values

Besides Berra having an intense passion for the game of baseball, he displayed constant determination and commitment to succeed in the game and in life.  After the St. Louis Cardinals general manager, Branch Ricky, told Berra he wouldn't make it to Major League Baseball (MLB), he had the determination to prove them wrong.  Once he signed with the New York Yankees, he persevered to be the best catcher he could possibly be.

Berra has also displayed good self-image, another characteristic of a good role model.  He not only left the sport he loved to join the Navy and fight in the Normandy Invasion, but he aided in breaking the color bar in Major League Baseball.  He befriended some of the first black, and Latino baseball players in the MLB like Jackie Robinson, Elston Howard, and Minnie Miñoso.  Although Noble did not mention Berra's sense of humor in his article, many of Berra's family and friends can attest to the 90 year old's whit; his famous sayings were eventually coined as Yogisms.  

http://nypost.com/2015/05/12/mlbs-gracious-gift-to-now-90-year-old-yogi-berra/ 

Yogi Berra has many high moral values which is mentioned not only in the main article at the top of the page by Marty Noble, but also in the article right above by Kevin Kernan.  Yogi has a strong value for education due to the fact that he never really had one.  He also greatly values teamwork, leadership, respect, and justice.  Today he displays those values and provides programs to children in the community through his museum, the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center.  Berra also currently represents Athlete Ally which promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in sports.  Yogi Berra has all the qualities, and more, that are listed in the second module making him an inspiration to both the young and the old across America.

References

Berra, Y. (2005). Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved from Academy of Achievement Web site: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ber0int-5

Footer, A. (2014). Yogi and Athlete Ally Team up for LGBT Equality. MLB.com. Retrieved             from http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/84511654/yogi-berra-and-athlete-ally-team-up-for-lgbt-equality

Kernan, K. (2015). MLB righting a wrong for Yogi Berra's 90th birthday. New York Post. Retrieved from http://nypost.com/2015/05/12/mlbs-gracious-gift-to-now-90-year-old-yogi-berra/

Noble, M. (2015). Fans can back Medal of Freedom for Yogi. MLB.com. Retrieved from http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/123743936/fans-can-back-medal-of-freedom-for-yogi

Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center. (2015) Retrieved from http://yogiberramuseum.org/