CARMEN & YOGI BERRA: A LEGENDARY LOVE STORY

As Yankees fans we hear about all kinds of love stories between our great legends, and their lady loves. Films have been dedicated to Joe DiMaggio and the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. The couple who eloped in 1954, divorced only 274 days later, and were reunited in 1961 until her death had nothing short of a whirlwind relationship. In 1999, when he passed, it is said his last words were "I will finally get to see Marilyn." It was an epic love story, mainly because it was with Marilyn. She was truly a beauty in her time, and it seemed impossible to really claim her heart. But that wasn't a lasting love story. There is one love story that is even more beautiful, and even more worthy of being celebrated. A love story that is truly legendary. The story of Yogi Berra, and his beautiful wife, Carmen.

Yogi met Carmen in the late 1940's, after his return to the Yankees upon returning from World War II. She was a waitress at a restaurant in St. Louis, and served him lunch. He asked her name, and whether she was married. She responded no, with a laugh, and the rest is beautiful history.

The New York Times quoted Yogi's book where he wrote "I was bashful, nervous, not-good looking. I could hardly believe my luck that Carmen liked me as much as I liked her." He often made it very clear that despite all his sports accolades, this greatest accomplishment was marrying Carmen. "Getting her to marry me? Who'd have thought?" (HERE)

It was always plain to see how much Carmen and Yogi loved one another. In the years that Yogi stayed away from the team, Carmen repeatedly was quoted as saying "Who would want to be mean to Yogi?" She adored her husband as much as he loved her. There was a happiness that radiated out of the couple whenever they were together. As a married woman, I know the kind of commitment and love that goes into my marriage everyday. Yogi and Carmen were married for 65 years! That kind of love is awe-inspiring. It is rare, and precious, and breathtakingly beautiful. It deserves the utmost celebration. These two people looked at each other and just knew that the other person made their life fuller, and happier. In her later years she helped run Yogi's baseball museum, and even contributed love letters Yogi had written her from the road. She was not ashamed to show the world their love.

I could gush on and on. I'm sure the word "love" shows up in this piece enough times to make we wish I had a better thesaurus. But really, is there any other way to describe the relationship? They raised a beautiful family together. They have three sons, eleven grandchildren, and a great grandchild.   There is living proof that these two people adored one another. How incredible it must be to share all that with someone! On March 6th the light that radiated from Mrs. Berra was called home to rest. I cannot possibly imagine how Yogi feels. I only know that Carmen was one of the most well respected, and well loved baseball wives, Yogi is adored by all of Yankees nation, and their love is legendary. Better than any fairy tale. I worry about Yogi now. I'm sure a lot of us do. I hope that he, and his family, find some peace within each other to make it through this difficult time. We all continue to have them all in our thoughts and prayers.

 --Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer

Twitter: @e_morales1804

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!

THE FULL POSADA INTERVIEW

To make life easier, I have compiled both Parts 1 & 2 of the interview Bleeding Yankee Blue conducted with Jorge & Laura Posada for our audience.  It's easier to read, it's in one place and easier to share with friends. Once again, a special Thank you to the Posadas. --Casey

BYB: Laura, Bleeding Yankee Blue have been huge fans of the Posada family.  Many were sad once Jorge retired. That being said, you've been great keeping us in the loop since his retirement through social networks.  Tell our audience, what is a typical day is like in the Posada house these days?   

Laura Posada: Right now we are already on summer break.  We take it easy in the summer and focus on outdoor activities.  Jorge takes our son to baseball and Paulina plays softball.  We're also taking a trip to Italy which will be Jorge's first visit, so he's looking forward to it.  Around the house, it’s great to have him!  He has become a BBQ expert and surprises us with his grilling skills!

BYB: Bleeding Yankee Blue is geared toward the New York Yankees and family.  What makes a family successful to you?   

Laura: I've always said that families need to work as a team.  It is very important to learn how to work together and learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to support each other to achieve their dreams.  Selfishness never works to benefit the family unit.  Finally, as parents, we need to teach our children by example!

BYB: My 10 year is passionate about baseball. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of you Jorge. What phrase could you tell my son to keep him inspired on the baseball field, even when he may have a discouraging day at the plate?   

Jorge Posada: I would always say "Grind it!"

 
BYB: My son asked me to also ask you "What made Mr. Posada want to become a catcher?"

Jorge: I loved Thurman Munson and he inspired me with his actions on and off the field.  I wanted to model my career after him and of course Yogi Berra.

BYB: Laura, What makes your marriage with Jorge work so well?   

Laura: I think we respect and support each other even though we might not agree on everything.  It also helps that we share the same interests regarding health and fitness. We understand the things in life that are really important to us; Love,  family and health and we live life to the fullest.

BYB: Laura, you obviously love Jorge home with the family, but what if the Miami Marlins or the Los Angeles Dodgers called one day to interview Jorge as a new manager, is that a good or bad thing?   

Laura: I have always supported him in his baseball career and I think it would be his decision.  In life, you need to be content with your choices and if he feels ready then let's play ball!

BYB: OK, You and Jorge can have a choice of 3 couples to have dinner with, living or dead in baseball and other.  Who would those couples be? And yes, my wife and I are available...     

Laura: I think we should definitely make it happen, but just for fun, I'll give you 3 others.  I would say Thurman Munson and his lovely wife Diana, Roberto Clemente and his wife Vera and Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe.

BYB: We have to know... How did you and Jorge meet?  

Laura: We met when we were teenagers on a baseball field where he was the umpire for my softball game.  After the game ended, we both went our separate ways until we met again at a restaurant in Puerto Rico.  After a mutual friend introduced us, he remembered he had met me at the softball game and told his roommate I was the girl he wanted to marry.

BYB: Tell our audience your favorite moment of Jorge as a New York Yankee?

Laura: Honestly, it was an honor for me to watch him grow as baseball player every year and in many different situations.  However, I think for me, the most special moment was his last year.  Even though he struggled, it was amazing for me to see the love and support that his fans continued to give him every single time he stepped out on the field.  It gave me chills to hear the stadium cheer as they did for Jorge with their “Hip Hip Jorge!”

BYB: Personally, my favorite moment of Jorge's was him clinching his fists during the 2003 ALCS tying the game with a double against Pedro Martinez. Where were you when it happened?

Laura: Yes, I was right there and that was an Epic moment!  Getting a hit off Pedro in 2003 was not an easy task and due to the history of "love" between them, it just made it a little sweeter!  As a spectator, you could feel the electricity in your body when he got that double.

BYB: Laura, please tell us some of the projects you are working on now and where our audience can get more information about them and you!  

Laura: Right now, the second season of my show Manual de Supervivencia is airing in South America on Utilisma which is part of the Fox Family.  Soon it will also start airing in the US market.

BYB: Jorge, Who did you have the best chemistry with when it came to your battery mate in all your years as a catcher?   

Jorge: My definite best was Andy Pettitte.  I also enjoyed Roger Clemens, David Wells and CC Sabathia, of course.

BYB: Jorge, how do you feel about the phrase "Cour Four" describing you, Jeet, Mariano and Andy?

Jorge: It's an honor because they are my brothers.  We grew up together and spending so many years as teammates is something I will never forget.

BYB: We've stated here how we'd love you to be a personality on YES, maybe even ave your own show. Would you ever consider pitching something like that? Hey, I'll help you with a treatment, what do you say?  

Laura: I have never explored that possibility, but if you have an idea don't be shy...

BYB: Finally. I know you've read Bleeding Yankee Blue, and you also know I'm a dad who does this with a bunch of smart Yankee fans and writers.  First, what do you think of BYB?  Secondly, how can we improve?  

Laura: I think you do an amazing job with your pieces.  You are honest and you keep things  real!  I know it is sometimes difficult to find the inspiration to put into words exactly what your thoughts are, but if you just start writing from your heart the words will flow!

 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JORGE & LAURA POSADA: PART 1

There’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time.  But in the world of family and life… things get away from you.  You know how long this Bleeding Yankee Blue thing has been going on, right?  Since September 14, 2010 if you need a reference point.  Since then, we’ve built a pretty smart audience, men and women joining a conversation about the Yankees, family and life.  In other words, "Life... Love... Yankees", our slogan of 2013.  We’re a family here and while you are not my “real” family, it sure is good to know you’re there for each other after a long day. We chat with each other. we bounce ideas off each other and we even fight… like a real family here at BYB.

That being said, I’m constantly thinking… “What would my audience really love to read today?” Sure, not every idea we come up with is as terrific as it was in my mind, but you still support us knowing that we’re out there trying to keep you engaged daily.  After all, I can honestly say that with the hard work of the BYB staff, we have cranked out more solid material on a daily basis than any other Yankee website or blog out there. And by the way... that's a fact!  But why do we do it you ask? Because we’re Yankee fans… we’re real, like you.  So, about 9 months ago… I started my pursuit of my of my favorite couples that I’ve never actually met… but truth be told, they are "friends in my head."

Enter... the Posadas.  Now, I have mad skills when it comes to human observation and I look at Jorge and Laura and know they are solid people and solid parents.  They have the make up for the perfect family formula. As Jorge would say, “Grind it” and  that means get out there, shoot for the stars and give it your all.  That’s not just a baseball thing, that’s a life thing.  It’s also something that we all should subscribe to.  From the outside looking in, I know these 2 are strong individuals with a positive makeup for their family… and it makes me smile knowing that that is still happening in today’s society, especially with the constant hustle and bustle, the video games, the hectic schedules… in the end, you need to make time for your family and they do that!  How do I know? I know.  It’s family first... it's the Posadas after all!

So, I’m thrilled to share with you what will be a 2 part interview with one of our favorite Yankee families… the Posada Family.  Laura and Jorge, thank you for taking the time to chat with Bleeding Yankee Blue.  You are great people and keep doing what your doing because we approve!

To our audience, Part 1 will run today.  Part 2 will run on July 4^th.  2 big days for 2 great people. So, without further ado… I bring you the Posada Family. Enjoy this… I certainly did!

BYB: Laura, Bleeding Yankee Blue have been huge fans of the Posada family.  Many were sad once Jorge retired. That being said, you've been great keeping us in the loop since his retirement through social networks.  Tell our audience, what is a typical day is like in the Posada house these days?  

Laura Posada: Right now we are already on summer break.  We take it easy in the summer and focus on outdoor activities.  Jorge takes our son to baseball and Paulina plays softball.  We're also taking a trip to Italy which will be Jorge's first visit, so he's looking forward to it.  Around the house, it’s great to have him!  He has become a BBQ expert and surprises us with his grilling skills!

BYB: Bleeding Yankee Blue is geared toward the New York Yankees and family.  What makes a family successful to you?  

Laura  Posada: I've always said that families need to work as a team.  It is very important to learn how to work together and learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to support each other to achieve their dreams.  Selfishness never works to benefit the family unit.  Finally, as parents, we need to teach our children by example!

BYB: My 10 year is passionate about baseball. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of you Jorge. What phrase could you tell my son to keep him inspired on the baseball field, even when he may have a discouraging day at the plate?  

Jorge Posada: I would always say "Grind it!"

 
BYB: My son asked me to also ask you "What made Mr. Posada want to become a catcher?"  

Jorge Posada: I loved Thurman Munson and he inspired me with his actions on and off the field.  I wanted to model my career after him and of course Yogi Berra.

BYB: Laura, What makes your marriage with Jorge work so well?  

Laura Posada: I think we respect and support each other even though we might not agree on everything.  It also helps that we share the same interests regarding health and fitness.  We understand the things in life that are really important to us; Love,  family and health and we live life to the fullest.

BYB: Laura, you obviously love Jorge home with the family, but what if the Miami Marlins or the Los Angeles Dodgers called one day to interview Jorge as a new manager, is that a good or bad thing?  

Laura Posada: I have always supported him in his baseball career and I think it would be his decision.  In life, you need to be content with your choices and if he feels ready then let's play ball!

BYB: OK, You and Jorge can have a choice of 3 couples to have dinner with, living or dead in baseball and other.  Who would those couples be? And yes, my wife and I are available...  

Laura Posada: I think we should definitely make it happen, but just for fun, I'll give you 3 others.  I would say Thurman Munson and his lovely wife Diana, Roberto Clemente and his wife Vera and Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe.

No... seriously, we're available!  Anyway. There are so many more great moments in this interview with the Posadas, including... Did you know how Laura and Jorge met? I do and you will too next week.  On July 4th, we will release Part 2 of our interview with Laura and Jorge and you will find out some great nuggets that you never new before, including how Jorge REALLY feels about the phrase CORE FOUR!

Look for it next week. In the meantime, reach out and let Laura know just how much you loved hearing from them in our Bleeding Yankee Blue interview! Laura's twitter is @DLauraPosada.

Laura and Jorge... thanks again, from all of us here at Bleeding Yankee Blue!

-Robert Casey, CEO & Writer for BleedingYankeeBlue.com
Follow me: @BleednYankeeBlu



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