Julien, Lamoriello among many in hockey world mourning baseball legend Yogi Berra
Wednesday was a tough day in the baseball world as the news of legend Yogi Berra's death at age 90 started to sink in. Berra was such an important figure in sports, however, that his legacy extended beyond just the baseball field. The hockey world joined in mourning the beloved catcher, manager and sports personality, and multiple teams and hockey figures spoke out following Berra's death.
Berra was a long-time hockey fan. His team was the New Jersey Devils, as he lived in Montclair, N.J. near the Devils' practice facility. Former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said he established a close relationship with Berra over the year in New Jersey. Now the general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lamoriello reflected Wednesday on his friendship with the baseball star.
"When he watched a hockey game, he could talk about the details or talk about mistakes just like he could talk about pitches and if you’re watching a baseball game with him, which I enjoyed quite a bit, he’d talk about pitch locations," Lamoriello said in a phone interview with SportsNet. "He looked at it in detail. I think what you gain from him is that no matter what success you have, you have to love the game. And he loved it right to the end."
Bruins coach Claude Julien met Berra during Julien's 79-game tenure as the Devils' coach in 2006-07, and Julien said they used to see each other almost daily because Berra had an office at the Devils' practice facility and used to work out there.
"He still had a way of telling stories that would make you smile, giggle and look forward to coming back and seeing him again," Julien said in a phone interview with ESPN. "That was a lot fun. For my short experience in New Jersey that’s one of the things I’m glad I got the opportunity to meet him and have some real interesting chats with him."
In his later years, Berra was just as famous for some of his sayings as he was for his baseball career. One of those sayings goes, "it ain't over til it's over." While Berra's long life came to an end this week, it's clear his legacy will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Yogi. New York legend. pic.twitter.com/SkH3SADgR8
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 23, 2015
Sympathies to the entire @Yankees family on the passing of Yogi Berra. His words will forever live on in all of sports.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 23, 2015
How lucky I am to have been friends w #Yogi. pix:lost a bet in 94 when @NYRangers beat the Devils. RIP Yogi. pic.twitter.com/R4JV7rHrxb
— Rod Gilbert (@rodgilbert7) September 23, 2015
