Yogi Berra to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
The death of Yankees legend Yogi Berra found stars from Billy Crystal to Donald Trump taking to Twitter to express their sentiments. Pictured: Berra throws out the first pitch to start the home season for the New York Yankees on April 12, 2000. Credit: Getty Images / Henry Ray Abrams
Yogi Berra will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Monday.
It is the highest honor a U.S. civilian can receive.
Berra, a Hall of Fame baseball player with 10 World Series titles who died in September at age 90, is one of 17 people who will be honored at a Nov. 24 ceremony. Other honorees will include Hall of Fame centerfielder Willie Mays; the late New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress; Barbra Streisand; Steven Spielberg; composer Stephen Sondheim; violinist Itzhak Perlman; Gloria and Emilio Estefan; and James Taylor.
This summer an online petition sought the honor for Berra, citing his "unimpeachable integrity and respect," his service to his country as a member of the U.S. Navy and his charitable works. The petition reached the 100,000 signatures required to automatically receive a response, and the White House issued one in July, noting the award is at the discretion of the president.
On Monday Barack Obama exercised his discretion: Berra will receive the medal.
"On behalf of the entire Yankees organization, we congratulate the family of Yogi Berra for his inclusion among upcoming recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said. "This honor is a fitting tribute to a man who not only represented the sport of baseball with unequaled dignity and humor, but exemplified the best virtues of our country through his military service and compassion for others. His life was truly the embodiment of the American dream."
Berra, one of the most accomplished players and most colorful personalities in baseball history, played 18 years with the Yankees and is baseball's all-time leader in World Series games, at-bats and hits. He was voted to 15 All-Star teams and was named Most Valuable Player of the American League three times.
Mays was a 20-time All-Star who played 22 years for the New York and San Francisco Giants before ending his career with the Mets. He was the National League's MVP twice.
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