It Ain't Over

We often don't realize until much later that we were blessed to be alive while a true legend walked among us.

Yogi Berra fit that description, and then some!

This amazing documentary film chronicles the many accomplishments on and off the field of the pre-1990s Yogi Berra that some have overlooked in favor of the bigger than life elder statesman and beloved cartoony image he became later in life.

Director Sean Mullin did his homework and got lots of archival footage and interviews to build a solid case for Yogi's status as a true American hero and icon. Not a moment of footage seems out of place or strikes a false note.

From D-Day in 1944 to Yogi Berra Day in 1999, it's all included, including some of the more controversial, heartfelt and personal moments in the life of Yogi and his family, friends and teammates.

Baseball is the backdrop, but this film is really a call and challenge to all of us to live like Yogi did, up to the best of our abilities even in the face of doubters, to spread kindness and joy, and to leave the world a better place than we found it.

It's a movie full of laughter, tears, inspiration and love. A true valentine to a class act.

I highly recommend it!

Everyone knows Yogi Berra. Well, they know the myth or legend of Yogi Berra. The nonsensical (albeit hilarious) sayings--the distinct caricature--the commercial pitchman--the resemblance to an animated bear we all remember from childhood. But sometimes those larger-than-life capacities obscure the greatness of Berra the baseball player, man, and father. That is an oversight "It Ain't Over" strives to correct.

Basically, this doc springs from the premise that Berra's granddaughter Lindsay wasn't exactly thrilled when Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays were voted the "Greatest Living Ballplayers" in 2015--with Yogi sitting beside her watching it on TV. So, Lindsay began championing for this doc to be made--and it ultimately turns into one of the best sports figure docs I've ever seen!

Though not at all affiliated with HBO, "It Ain't Over" has the feel of that prestige network's sports docs. The production value and graphics are extremely high and poignant/entertaining, while the amount of figures interviewed is truly staggering. From Berra's teammates to those he coached to family members and baseball luminaries such as Vin Scully, Billy Crystal, Joe Torre & Bob Costas, everyone gets a word in on Yogi's baseball legacy.

Director Sean Mullin does a remarkable job here of sorting out "fact from myth", so to speak. The doc tells a compelling story of how Yogi was a tremendous player (his batting average & power combined with lack of strikeouts is astounding), won championships almost everywhere he landed as a player, coach, or manager, and served his country (notably in the D-Day invasion). Not only that, but Yogi was a family man who is spoken of lovingly by all who knew him. It is a bit of shame, then, to see his legacy somewhat adapted to fit the malapropisms and odd phrases that would come to be attached to him (some legitimate, some not).

Overall, "It Ain't Over" is a remarkably achievement on making sure baseball fans remember Yogi's greatness besides the "silly stuff". This is a man who shook hands with Babe Ruth, played beside Joe DiMaggio & Mickey Mantle, coached Don Mattingly, and traded good-natured barbs with Derek Jeter. He was a good-natured winner both on and off the field--so affable that he didn't mind being a goofy pitchman for Yoo-Hoo or Aflac. I cannot recommend "It Ain't Over" highly enough to any sports/baseball fan who is even mildly intrigued. It had me belly laughing, weeping, and shaking my head in amazement in equal measure.

Greetings again from the darkness. In a perfect world we would judge each other by character, personality, integrity, and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many still judge the book by its cover, and therein lies the only explanation for why Yogi Berra was not on the field at the 2015 All-Star game with Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Johnny Bench as one of the greatest living players. Berra, though he never cut the imposing athletic figure as those players, certainly fulfilled the four attributes listed above ... including his accomplishments in the very game that was offering tribute to the greats of the game. Director Sean Mullin expertly proceeds to prove that Lorenzo Pietro "Yogi" Berra was not just one of the best baseball players of all-time, he was also a war hero, beloved father, grandfather, husband, public figure, and above all, a world-class person.

What Mr. Mullin does to elevate this documentary is not just focus on Yogi's fabulous career as a player, but also on the rest of his life. This allows us to understand what a special man he was. Yogi's granddaughter Lindsay frequently pops up for commentary, and she makes it abundantly clear that while Yogi learned to accept being baseball's most overlooked superstar, she certainly has not. After all, Berra is the all-time leader in World Series championships as a player with 10, and has 13 rings total, including his time coaching. He was an 18 time All-Star and was voted onto the All-Century team. Remarkably, Yogi caught both ends of 117 doubleheaders in his career, and of course, caught Don Larsen's World Series Perfect Game. As a New York Yankees player and coach, his presence in pinstripes linked the careers of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, and Don Mattingly.

Those are some of the pieces of a life that are indelibly linked to baseball history, and in this documentary, we learn even more. He grew up on the same St Louis street as (another future major league catcher) Joe Garagiola, and the Branch Rickey story involving the two is fascinating. After signing with the Yankees for $500, Berra enlisted in the Navy, and found himself in the middle of the Normandy landings. Lindsay recounts the story of why Berra never received his Purple Heart, and the process she went through to ensure that he received a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was married to Carmen for 65 years, and they raised three sons, Dale (a Major Leaguer), Tim, and Larry. The story of how Carmen named Dale is one of the highlights of the film.

Lest you buy into the image of Yogi as the cartoon character (Yogi Bear) in Yellowstone, or the lovable post-career pitchman for Amtrak, Aflac, YooHoo, and Miller Lite, pay particular attention to the segment on Jackie Robinson's steal of home in the World Series. This will clue you in on what an intense competitor Yogi was - helping to explain his incredible track record of winning. Of course, none of this is meant to minimize Yogi's creative use of the English language. He became iconic for his malapropisms ... often referred to as "Yogiisms". This includes the famous one from which this film's title was derived, "It ain't over till it's over" ... right up there with "I really didn't say everything I said."

Berra's rift with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is analyzed, leaving us respecting Yogi's years-long stance over being disrespected. Their eventual make-up led to an incredible "Yogi Berra Day" at Yankee Stadium, where the game remarkably lived up to the pre-game moment when Don Larsen threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Yogi. Director Mullin capitalizes on a long stream of former teammates, opponents, players, writers, and family members to provide insight into Yogi Berra. There is little doubt even more would have loved to contribute, as much in the way Yogi gives credit to Hall of Famer Bill Dickey for tutoring him on catching, so many are anxious to offer stories on how Yogi Berra influenced them. Let's end this with more of Yogi's wisdom. "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." And when it comes to this excellent and entertaining documentary from Sean Mullin, keep in mind that "You can observe a lot by watching." Opens in theaters on May 26, 2023.

How can you not rate this a 10? Yogi was not just an incredible athlete and outstanding competitor, but the biggest mark he left on life was the lives he touched. I am incredibly happy to find out that he was the man I hoped he was. I remember his managing and coaching days and of course his commercials and talk show appearances but many times those are just performances that hide the messy lives we all live. But Yogi was the real deal often imitated but never duplicated.

Of course this Doc was biased toward Yogi and many of the flaws and warts were hidden or not really discussed but to be honest I don't need or want to know about that. He lived an extraordinary life which reached the pinnacle of this profession and a loving extended family that adored him. What more could on ask for?

This documentary about the Great and Late Yogi Berra is something that spoke to me and help me understand why my grandfather loved him so much. Back in 2009 my grandfather, dad, brother and I went to New York for a week to watch the Yankees. Coming from Ohio it was a long drive. While we were there we went to both the baseball hall of fame and the Yogi Berra museum. We were leaving his museum while a limo was pulling up and there he was Yogi Berra my grandfather acted like a kid and cried. This documentary helped me understand why he loved the man so much, he was a man that was a normal person but showed how much he loved the game of baseball even through war. Rest in peace Wayne Thallman and Yogi Berra.