Carmen Berra, Yogi's wife, dies at age 85

Carmen Berra, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra's wife of 65 years, died Thursday night from complications of a stroke suffered earlier this year. She was 85.

Carmen and Yogi Berra celebrated their wedding anniversary earlier this year.

"On behalf of the entire New York Yankees organization, we offer our deepest condolences to the Berra family," managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said. "Having known Yogi and Carmen for so long, it is almost impossible to imagine two people who complemented each other better than they did.

"We will always remember Carmen's smile and sense of humor, and her kindness and generosity will be dearly missed."

Berra died at the Crane's Mill Assisted Living Facility in West Caldwell, N.J., near the family's home in Montclair, where she and the legendary Yogi spent most of their lives together.

A moment of silence was observed prior to the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Friday night against the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

"It's sad. Really, really sad," manager Joe Girardi said. "I often talk about Yogi as being one of the greatest baseball players ever, but being one of the most humble and approachable guys I've ever been around. And Carmen happened to be the wife of one of the greatest baseball players ever, and probably as nice of a lady as you could ever be around.

"She was just a sweetheart; so nice always to be in her presence. She truly cared about so many people. It's sad. We're really going to miss her."

The Berras met in St. Louis and were married on Jan. 26, 1949. Yogi Berra was a 23-year-old catcher with the Yankees at the time and went on to have one of the most prolific careers in baseball history, playing on 10 World Series championship teams.

Carmen Berra is survived by Yogi; sons Larry, Tim and Dale; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dale, a Major League infielder for 11 seasons, played for the Yankees in 1985-86. In 1985, Yogi and Dale became the first father and son to be manager and player on the same big league team since 1939.

The Berras' relationship recently was spotlighted on Broadway in the form of a play, "Bronx Bombers," which portrayed Carmen, played by actress Tracy Shayne, as an important source of strength for Yogi during his post-playing career.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center at 8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls, N.J. 07424. Donations also may be made at yogiberramuseum.org.