Sports Shorts, 9.23.2015

By Mark Bacon

Hall of Famer, Legendary Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra Dies at Age 90

New York Yankees legend and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra died Tuesday at age 90, the Yogi Berra Museum announced and the Yankees and MLB confirmed. Or, as I like to think, Yogi signed a long-term contract with that Great Franchise in the Sky. Considered one of the greatest catchers of all time, Berra was a three-time AL MVP who became at least as well-known for his unusual sayings as his Hall of Fame career.

Among his more famous Yogi-isms, as they became known
• "Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."
• "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

He appeared in 14 World Series for the Yankees and won three MVPs in 1951, 1954 and 1955. He was also an 18-time All-Star and caught Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 Series. He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1972. He remains the all-time leader among catchers in RBI, and is fourth in runs scored and home runs.

I suppose his passing is best summed up by perhaps his best-known Yogi-ism, "It ain't over, til it's over." And sadly, it's over. Godspeed Mr. Berra.

Timberwolves Cut Ties with Former 2013 No. 1 Pick Anthony Bennett

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 NBA Draft, Anthony Bennett has faced lofty expectations while his career has been derailed by injury. The pick itself raised many an eyebrow, with Bennett being picked before Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams and Dennis Schroeder. Bennett was part of the Kevin Love trade that brought Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota last season, and now, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the 'Wolves have cut ties with the young forward after just one season." Bennett is only 22 years old, athletic, can run the floor and needs to find the right situation, which very well could be with the team he ends up with. The 76ers could be a perfect fit.

Kevin Durant is Cleared for Thunder Training Camp

OKC All-Star Kevin Durant was fully cleared for training camp and he's back to playing 5-on-5 basketball without any restrictions. As of now, the procedures to repair his broken foot appear to have worked for KD and he's ready to make up for lost time during a 2014-15 season in which he missed 55 games. That's good news for Durant and good news for basketball.

Final Thought…

Maybe it's me, but the Olde English lettering used on the back of the University of Louisville Cardinals' football jerseys for the player's names is the UGLIEST TYPOGRAPHY AND WORST IDEA IN SPORTS UNIFORMS this year! Who approved this?! It is an abomination. Adidas has designed some nasty looking uniforms on the past, but this takes the cake. Do you agree? Leave your comment below.