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Yogi Berra - The Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by WCIBN, May 22, 2015.

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Should Yogi Berra be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Poll closed Jun 12, 2015.

  1. Yes

    8 vote(s)
    72.7%

  2. No

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%
  1. WCIBN

    WCIBN Active Member

    :: pardon me as I start a Dick Whitman-like thread with an accompanying poll ::


    There is a petition online asking the White House to award Yogi Berra the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his military service and civil rights and educational activism. President Obama did honor Ernie Banks with the Medal of Freedom in 2013. Other baseball players who received this honor include: Hank Aaron (2002), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe DiMaggio (1977), Stan Musial (2011), Buck O'Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).

    Is this a good idea?

    link to petition: Award Yogi Berra The Presidential Medal of Freedom for his military service and civil rights and educational activism. | We the People: Your Voice in Our Government
     
    WCIBN, May 22, 2015
    #1
  2. Vombatus

    Vombatus Well-Known Member

    Yeah, he deserves it for his soundbites alone.
     
    Vombatus, May 22, 2015
    #2
  3. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    Bill Cosby has one, so it's not like Berra getting one would cheapen the honor.
     
    Steak Snabler, May 22, 2015
    #3
    Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!! likes this.
  4. Baron Scicluna

    Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

    Why would he need a medal? Doesn't he already have freedom?

    (My weak attempt at a Yogiism)
     
    Baron Scicluna, May 22, 2015
    #4
  5. DanOregon

    DanOregon Well-Known Member

    As great as Yogi is/was - was he ever the first/last/best/greatest in any category on the field. Granted, I can think of a lot worse choices who have been honored with it:
    cough - Robert McNamara, George Tenet, assorted politicians - cough
     
    DanOregon, May 22, 2015
    #5
  6. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    Yogi's probably the greatest "winner" in baseball history, for whatever that's worth. And he won three AL MVPs in five years.

    But this is as much about "cultural impact" as anything.
     
    Steak Snabler, May 22, 2015
    #6
  7. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    Among other things. ... He is first in world series appearances and world series championships. He also had a ridiculous streak in the 1950s, in which he was in the top four in the MVP voting for 7 or 8 years in a row, including winning the award 3 times. It's hard to say that he wasn't one of the greatest ever on the field.
     
    The Big Ragu, May 22, 2015
    #7
    RecoveringJournalist and Riptide like this.
  8. LongTimeListener

    LongTimeListener Well-Known Member

    I'd vote yes just for the speech where he thanks everyone who made this day necessary.
     
    LongTimeListener, May 22, 2015
    #8
  9. doctorquant

    doctorquant Well-Known Member

    If people don't want to give Berra this award, nobody can stop them. After all, nobody gets this award anymore ...they give it out too frequently. Besides, who gets this award is 90 percent political. The other half is social.
     
    doctorquant, May 22, 2015
    #9
    bigpern23, sgreenwell and dooley_womack1 like this.
  10. Vombatus

    Vombatus Well-Known Member

    Well played, dq.
     
    Vombatus, May 23, 2015
    #10
  11. Smasher_Sloan

    Smasher_Sloan Active Member

    Well, there aren't really soundbites. Mostly it's stuff that people say he said. If you've met Yogi, you probably know it might be an awfully long wait for him to say anything funny, either intentional or accidental.

    If you really like the quotes, give the award to Joe Garagiola.
     
    Smasher_Sloan, May 23, 2015
    #11
  12. dooley_womack1

    dooley_womack1 Well-Known Member

    "Aw, just watch me do it!"
     
    dooley_womack1, May 25, 2015
    #12
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