(Hockey writer Randy Schultz has covered the hockey scene at all levels for over 50 years. He has interviewed people about hockey from all walks of life during that time. Players, coaches, executives, celebrities, college and high school players have been interviewed over the five decades of hockey writing. He hopes you enjoy his memories.)
BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
With the World Series almost upon us, I thought it might be a good idea to open my column with one of the many baseball players I talked to over the years who had a love for hockey.
Yogi Berra was one of America’s most beloved athletes. A member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame, Berra spent most of his career with the New York Yankees.
But what a lot of people never knew about Berra, who passed away in 2015, was his love of hockey and being a big hockey fan. That love went back almost eight decades, back to his days growing up in his native St. Louis, MO.
Nineteen years have passed since I had the opportunity to talk to Yogi by phone at his home in Montclair, NJ. He was a big fan of the National Hockey League. When Berra was at home, he could be watching NHL hockey on TV and it didn’t matter if it was the New York Rangers, New York Islanders or New Jersey Devils.
“I never played ice hockey growing up in St. Louis,” recalled Berra at the time of our interview. “I played street hockey and roller hockey.
“We didn’t have any place to play ice hockey. And if we had, we really didn’t have the money for skates or some of the other hockey equipment needed.
“We had sticks. We used old rolled up magazines as shin guards. And we used wooden pucks. That’s right, wooden pucks. We couldn’t afford a real puck. So we made one.
“That’s why roller and street hockey were easier to play. And all kids in the neighborhood, including Joe Garagiola.
“We played all different kinds of sports depending on the time of the year. We played baseball, football, basketball and hockey. We would just choose up sides and play.”
Of course, Berra admitted that he wasn’t the greatest skater in the world.
“I can skate, but I can’t skate very well,” stated Berra. “I can’t stop as easy as the hockey players do.”
Berra also followed pro hockey while growing up in St. Louis with the Flyers of the old American Hockey Association.
“I used to follow the Flyers when I was a kid,” remembered Berra, who played 18 seasons (1846-1963) with the Yankees. “I remember the day of a game, I used to take a nap in the afternoon so I could go with my brother to the hockey game that night at the old St. Louis Arena.”
When Berra made it to the majors with the Yankees at the end of the 1946 season, he instantly became a fan of the NHL’s New York Rangers. One of the Hall of Famers favorite hangouts in New York became the old Madison Square Garden.
“I really enjoyed the Rangers,” said Berra. “I went to their games every chance I got down at the old Gardens. I really like the old Gardens.”
The players in the Rangers that Berra got to know was like a “Who’s Who” of hockey. It included Emile Francis, Harry Howell, Eddie Giacomin, Jacques Plante, Gump Worsley and Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion.
“I know the Rangers didn’t really have great teams back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s,” recalled Berra. “But they were still entertaining.”
Berra and his wife, Carmen, were also your typical hockey parents, getting up at $:30 in the morning to drive their boys to practice or a game. That tradition continued to include the Berra’s granddaughter, Lindsay, who turned out to be a very good player in her own right.
Berra followed pro hockey right up until he passed. At one time he was a neighbor of former New Jersey Devils owner, the late John McMullen.
One of the changes Berra saw come into the NHL in his later years was the shootout.
At the time Berra thought it was a good change.
“I guess that a lot of fans like it,” concluded Berra.
One might say, using an original Yogism, “the game’s not over now until it’s over.”
(Photo by AP)
