The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Montclair, New Jersey is a tribute to one of baseball’s most colorful characters. A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Berra was an 18-time All-Star, 13-time World Series champion (including his coaching career), and three-time American League MVP. He managed both the Mets and Yankees, and his wise but humorous sayings made one of the most beloved figures in baseball history. Berra passed away in 2015, and the museum celebrates his continued impact by teaching visitors about his extraordinary life.
History of the Yogi Berra Museum
The museum and learning center was opened in 1998 with the intention of teaching children the values of respect, responsibility, and integrity. It hosts educational programs and summer camps for children, and serves as a venue for book signings and other special events. Berra, who lived in Montclair for much of his life, was a frequent presence at the museum during its early years.
The museum was also the site of a reconciliation between Berra and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Yogi and “The Boss” had been at odds since 1985, when Steinbrenner fired Berra as Yankee manager just weeks into the season. In 1999, the two made amends by reminiscing about the golden years of Yankee baseball as they toured the museum.
Honoring the Legacy of Yogi Berra
Located on the campus of Montclair State University, the Yogi Berra Museum is filled with memorabilia from a baseball career that spanned nearly five decades. The catcher was a key component of several World Series-winning ballclubs, and the museum highlights his role in a Yankee dynasty that lasted from the late-1940s to the mid-1960s. On display are World Series rings from each Yankee championship, as well as the plaques awarded to Berra for each of his MVP seasons.
Other notable items include original Yankee Stadium plaques honoring Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, as well as the jacket that Berra wore when throwing a ceremonial first pitch at the 2009 World Series. There are even souvenirs from athletes that Berra inspired, like the cleats of former Yankee captain Derek Jeter.
The museum celebrates Berra’s playing career while offering a glimpse into his family life and interests away from the baseball diamond. Placards in each exhibit chronicle Yogi’s life from his humble childhood in St. Louis to his passing in 2015. Visitors will learn about Berra’s devotion to his wife Carmen, his friendship with fellow Yankee Phil Rizzuto, and his enduring love for his three sons. They will also learn about Berra’s business interests and the hobbies that kept him busy away from the ballpark.
There are personal touches throughout the museum that serve as warm reminders of Berra’s avuncular personality. In one corner of the museum, for example, there is a wall covered with several of Berra’s classic “Yogi-isms.” These witticisms, which include “90 percent of baseball is mental; the other half is physical” and “It’s déjà vu all over again” are still commonly quoted. Yogi’s smiling visage is present on photographs throughout the museum, which creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Beyond the Yanks: Mets Memorabilia and More
Despite his lifelong connection to the Yankees, Berra is also a prominent figure in Mets history. His Mets tenure is recognized in a corner of the museum that showcases several items from his days in Queens.
A plaque honoring the 1973 pennant-winning Mets team he managed is on display, as is the jersey he wore during the final on-field ceremony at Shea Stadium. Also featured in this space is a ball signed by the entire “1969 Miracle Mets” team that had Berra as a first base coach.
On your way to the restrooms, you’ll notice a wall lined with 76 oil paintings of legendary New York ballplayers. Titled “New York City’s Golden Boys,” this set of images by artist Andy Jurinko depicts players like Berra, Willie Mays of the New York Giants, and Gil Hodges of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
It also includes portraits of three classic ballparks: Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field, and the Polo Grounds. The wall is a reminder of New York’s rich baseball past and Berra’s eternal status as a New York baseball icon.
Tips for Visitors
Though the museum is relatively small in size, it is well-curated and engaging. The memorabilia on display provides rare insight into one of baseball’s most storied eras. You can make it through the museum in an hour or less (longer if you sit through the 22-minute video), but you’ll want to take the time to absorb all the information on display. As you tour the museum, be sure to appreciate clever details, such as how much of its interior is inspired by the architecture of the original Yankee Stadium.
Also be sure to check out the screening room, which shows educational videos such as a short film about Berra’s life and the opening of the museum. Like the rest of the museum, the screening room features elements of the old Yankee Stadium, including replicas of its facade and its scoreboard circa 1959.
Tickets to the museum and learning center are free to Montclair University students, and parking is free for all visitors. It is located adjacent to Yogi Berra Stadium, which serves as the home of the Montclair State Red Hawks and an independent team called the New Jersey Jackals.
Getting to the Yogi Berra Museum
The lovely Yogi Berra Museum is on the campus of Montclair State University, a short drive from Newark. There is parking available right next to the museum (you get a pass at the museum), so that’s the easiest way to get to the museum.
However, it is also possible to get there by public transportation. Take the red Monclair-Boonton NJ Transit Line from NY Penn/Secaucus/Newark Broad St. Get off at Montclair State University Station (about 50 min from NYPenn, less from north Jersey). The museum is just a couple minutes of walking through the university campus.
