It Ain't Over

How can you not rate this a 10? Yogi was not just an incredible athlete and outstanding competitor, but the biggest mark he left on life was the lives he touched. I am incredibly happy to find out that he was the man I hoped he was. I remember his managing and coaching days and of course his commercials and talk show appearances but many times those are just performances that hide the messy lives we all live. But Yogi was the real deal often imitated but never duplicated.

Of course this Doc was biased toward Yogi and many of the flaws and warts were hidden or not really discussed but to be honest I don't need or want to know about that. He lived an extraordinary life which reached the pinnacle of this profession and a loving extended family that adored him. What more could on ask for?

Everyone knows Yogi Berra. Well, they know the myth or legend of Yogi Berra. The nonsensical (albeit hilarious) sayings--the distinct caricature--the commercial pitchman--the resemblance to an animated bear we all remember from childhood. But sometimes those larger-than-life capacities obscure the greatness of Berra the baseball player, man, and father. That is an oversight "It Ain't Over" strives to correct.

Basically, this doc springs from the premise that Berra's granddaughter Lindsay wasn't exactly thrilled when Johnny Bench, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays were voted the "Greatest Living Ballplayers" in 2015--with Yogi sitting beside her watching it on TV. So, Lindsay began championing for this doc to be made--and it ultimately turns into one of the best sports figure docs I've ever seen!

Though not at all affiliated with HBO, "It Ain't Over" has the feel of that prestige network's sports docs. The production value and graphics are extremely high and poignant/entertaining, while the amount of figures interviewed is truly staggering. From Berra's teammates to those he coached to family members and baseball luminaries such as Vin Scully, Billy Crystal, Joe Torre & Bob Costas, everyone gets a word in on Yogi's baseball legacy.

Director Sean Mullin does a remarkable job here of sorting out "fact from myth", so to speak. The doc tells a compelling story of how Yogi was a tremendous player (his batting average & power combined with lack of strikeouts is astounding), won championships almost everywhere he landed as a player, coach, or manager, and served his country (notably in the D-Day invasion). Not only that, but Yogi was a family man who is spoken of lovingly by all who knew him. It is a bit of shame, then, to see his legacy somewhat adapted to fit the malapropisms and odd phrases that would come to be attached to him (some legitimate, some not).

Overall, "It Ain't Over" is a remarkably achievement on making sure baseball fans remember Yogi's greatness besides the "silly stuff". This is a man who shook hands with Babe Ruth, played beside Joe DiMaggio & Mickey Mantle, coached Don Mattingly, and traded good-natured barbs with Derek Jeter. He was a good-natured winner both on and off the field--so affable that he didn't mind being a goofy pitchman for Yoo-Hoo or Aflac. I cannot recommend "It Ain't Over" highly enough to any sports/baseball fan who is even mildly intrigued. It had me belly laughing, weeping, and shaking my head in amazement in equal measure.

Yogi Berra, one of the world's best athletes but one of the least recognized, has his legacy spelled out most effectively in 98 minutes. The documentary highlights his exceptional character, baseball skill and wisdom in a fast-paced captivating way. All ages, sports fans and non-sports fans should see this movie which captures not just the essence of 20th century professional baseball, but the essence of a man who embodied all that was excellent and exciting about the game. You will learn about Yogi's unequaled stats, hear from other all-star players and sports analysts, his family and regular fans. It is riveting from start to finish.

We often don't realize until much later that we were blessed to be alive while a true legend walked among us.

Yogi Berra fit that description, and then some!

This amazing documentary film chronicles the many accomplishments on and off the field of the pre-1990s Yogi Berra that some have overlooked in favor of the bigger than life elder statesman and beloved cartoony image he became later in life.

Director Sean Mullin did his homework and got lots of archival footage and interviews to build a solid case for Yogi's status as a true American hero and icon. Not a moment of footage seems out of place or strikes a false note.

From D-Day in 1944 to Yogi Berra Day in 1999, it's all included, including some of the more controversial, heartfelt and personal moments in the life of Yogi and his family, friends and teammates.

Baseball is the backdrop, but this film is really a call and challenge to all of us to live like Yogi did, up to the best of our abilities even in the face of doubters, to spread kindness and joy, and to leave the world a better place than we found it.

It's a movie full of laughter, tears, inspiration and love. A true valentine to a class act.

I highly recommend it!

This documentary about the Great and Late Yogi Berra is something that spoke to me and help me understand why my grandfather loved him so much. Back in 2009 my grandfather, dad, brother and I went to New York for a week to watch the Yankees. Coming from Ohio it was a long drive. While we were there we went to both the baseball hall of fame and the Yogi Berra museum. We were leaving his museum while a limo was pulling up and there he was Yogi Berra my grandfather acted like a kid and cried. This documentary helped me understand why he loved the man so much, he was a man that was a normal person but showed how much he loved the game of baseball even through war. Rest in peace Wayne Thallman and Yogi Berra.