Yogi Berra: O Jogo Continua

A portrait of a beautiful human being and baseball legend that will surprise you, even if you think you know all about Yogi. As the film shows, Yogi's baseball talent, intelligence, and accomplishments have long been overshadowed by his endearing and iconic personality and his infamous Yogi-isms. This film finally gives Yogi the tribute he deserves. Viewers may be surprised to learn or be reminded of Yogi's many legendary baseball achievements that have been ignored or forgotten over the years. The interviews with his teammates, latter-day baseball legends, as well as his friends and family, weave a beautiful story about this amazing and unassuming hero. It will remind you of everything that is wonderful and special about baseball, and about life. Go see this movie!!

I had wanted to see this since I saw a trailer in the theatre. If you are a baseball fan this is a must. I grew up as a NY Mets fan but liked the Yankees too. I am not from the generation these older players are from, so I didn't see them play. I only knew Yogi Berra as a manager and knew his one son was a baseball player also. I didn't realize that Yogi was one of the greatest players ever. This documentary was lovingly produced by his granddaughter and we see interviews with other players of his generation, players that he managed and mentored and also his loving family. You could tell how much the family meant to each other and how much he adored his wife Carmen. Yogi's granddaughter reads love letters from Yogi to Carmen which was very moving. Other events touched upon was Yogi's feud with George Steinbrenner and his return to Yankee Stadium. I can't recommend this documentary enough especially if you love baseball. Yogi was a humble, kind man and I had so much respect for him and tears in my eyes at the end.

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?

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.

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.