They sound like crafted jokes. Here's one from a book about the Yankees.
Yogi and his mates were walking in downtown N.Y. when at a cornor, a guy carrying a baby grandfather clock walked into him. Yogi replied, "why don't you use a wristwatch like everyone else?".....lol
Never answer anonymous letters.
When you get to a fork in the road, take it.
A few favorites of his:
"You can observe a lot by watching." "I really didn't say everything I said." "Half of this game is ninety percent mental" "It ain't over 'til it's over." "It get late early out there." (in reference the shorter days at the end of the season.) "Got two tens for a five?" (Oops sorry. That was Abbott & Costello)
Besides his famous quotes, there are lots of funny stories about him. Two are:
Yogi has more quotes in Bartlett's Quotations than any living U.S. president.
When the Yankees first started making trips to L.A., because the newly formed Los Angeles Angels were now (1961) on their schedule, Yogi first learned of the Yogi Bear cartoons. He planned to sue Hanna Barbera over the use of his name, until someone reminded him that his real name is Lawrence.
^^^ Here's another one
Yogi and some Yankees were at a suit and tie function. It was a hot and humid night and people were in discomfort. A lady said to Yogi, "My Mr.Berra, you certainly look cool tonight." Yogi replied, "thanks, you don't look too hot yourself"
A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six.
Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.
Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there.
I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.
You wouldn't have won if we'd beaten you.
We made too many wrong mistakes.
Pair up in threes.
Here's a lengthy list of them:
With all of his quotes, we may forget that he was a terrific player. (Three time AL MVP and many world series titles).
I'm waiting for Club_Goer. He knows more Yogi-ism's than Yogi.