The most joyous 'Yogi Berra' hugs in baseball history

The beloved Yankees catcher made the victory hug a quintessential part of the game's celebration

Lauren Hansen's avatar
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Published
1956 World Series
The iconic photo: Yogi Berra leaps into the arms of pitcher Don Larsen on Oct. 8, 1956.
(Image credit: (AP Photo)Surely, Berra was not the first ballplayer to enjoy the sweaty, victorious embrace of his teammate, and yet the hug is forever linked with the beloved Yankee. Maybe it was his dimin)

Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman and catcher Jerry Grote hug after beating the Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, to win the championship in the fifth game of the World Series on Oct. 16, 1969.
(Image credit: (Bettmann/CORBIS))

Pirates pitcher Steve Blass and his catcher, Manny Sanguillen, hug after defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, to win the 1971 World Series on Oct. 17, 1971.
(Image credit: (AP Photo))

New York Yankees closer Goose Gossage leaps into the arms of catcher Thurman Munson after defeating the Kansas City Royals, 2-1, in Game 4 to win the American League Championship Series on Oct. 7, 1978.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Richard Drew))

New York Mets' catcher Gary Carter leaps into the arms of pitcher Jesse Orosco as they celebrate the Mets victory in the National League Championship Series, Oct. 15, 1986
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Mike Murphy))

Atlanta Braves catcher Greg Dison jumps into the arms of Braves' pitcher John Smoltz as the Braves celebrate their division-clinching victory on Oct. 5, 1991.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Joe Marquette))

Atlanta Braves catcher Javier Lopez jumps into the arms of closer Mark Wohlers after winning the World Series on Oct. 28, 1995.
(Image credit: (ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty Images))

New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera jumps into the arms of catcher Joe Girardi after beating Cleveland, 9-5, to win the A.L. Championship Series on Oct. 14, 1998.
(Image credit: (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images))

Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek takes a running start into the arms of pitcher Jonathan Papelbon after beating the Cleveland Indians, 11-2, to win Game 7 of the A.L. Championship Series on Oct. 21, 2007.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia))

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro leaps into the arms of relief pitcher Grant Balfour after the Rays beat the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, to win Game 4 of the A.L. Championship Series on Oct. 6, 2008.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh))

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.