Buffalo (city name etymology)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wiktionary: BuffaloEtymologyProbably from buffalo (Bison bison), since both cities are in regions that had wild herds at the time the names originated. Buffalo, New York…
“The Brooklyn Dodgers have three on base.”/“Which base?”
On August 15, 1926, in a game at Ebbets Field against the Boston Braves. the Brooklyn Dodgers had the bases loaded. Babe Herman (1903-1987) hit a ball that the runners thought would be caught. Hank…
“All pro athletes are bilingual; they speak English and profanity”
Professional ice hockey player Gordie Howe (1928-2016) said in 1967 that teammate Ted Lindsay was a "great bi-linguist -- he's always been well versed in English and profanity." In…
“Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental”
Entry in progress -- B.P. "Ninety percent of this game is half mental" is a saying that was popular in baseball in the 1970s. Wikipedia: Jim McKennyJames Claude "Howie" McKenny…
“Pair off in threes”
"Pair off in threes" is a jocular line that several coaches have given to their players. American football player and coach Ernie Godfrey (1892-1980) was credited in 1937 for "Now…
“Would the fans along the outfield railing please remove their clothes?”
During a game at Yankee Stadium in May 1946, fans in the front row of the outfield left their coats over the railing. Public address system announcer Arthur “Red” Patterson said: "“Will…
“His limitations are limitless”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Danny OzarkDaniel Leonard Ozark, born Daniel Leonard Orzechowski (November 24, 1923 — May 7, 2009) was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball.…
“If by free spirits you mean an open bar, then yes I love free spirits”
"Free spirits" usually doesn't mean "open bar," but this is a subject of several jokes. "Perking up at 'free spirits.' Is there an open bar somewhere?"…
“Better sore than sorry”
"Better safe than sorry" is an old proverb. "Better sore than sorry" is a motivational saying that has been printed on posters and T-shirts. "Better sore than sorry"…
“Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel”
A popular story about New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (1925-2015) is from 1950, when the team was on a road trip. Another teammate took a look at Yogi's shabby bag and suggested that he…
“Tom Landry is such a perfectionist he’d expect Raquel Welch to cook”
Entry in progress -- B.P.Don Meredith (1938-2010) Wikipedia: Tom LandryThomas Wade "Tom" Landry (September 11, 1924 – February 12, 2000) was an American football player and coach. He is…
“I always thought the record would stand until it was broken”
On July 15, 1980, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench hit his 314th career home run, passing New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (1925-2015) to become the all-time home run leader among major…
“Little League keeps the kids out of the house”
New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (1925-2015) was asked by a radio announcer about Little League. "It's a fine thing," Berra was cited in 1963. "It keeps the kids outta the…
“It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility”
"It's not the heat, it's the humidity" is an old line about the weather. "It ain't the heat, it's the humility" is a popular variation. "'It's…
“If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him”
Casey Stengel (1890-1975), a former New York Yankees manager and then the manager of the expansion New York Mets, gave advice to his former player, Yogi Berra (1925-2015), in January 1964 after…
“We have deep depth”
"We have deep depth" is a jocular redundancy that a sports manager or coach says about his or her well-stocked team. Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver (1930-2013) was credite with…
“Slump? I ain’t in no slump. I just ain’t hitting”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksCharlie HustleBy Pete Rose with Bob HertzelEnglewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall1975Pg. 82:Yogi Berra, so the story goes, hadn't had a hit in quite some…
“He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious”
An athlete who can use both right and left hands is someone who is "ambidextrous." Something on both land and water is "amphibious." "He's amphibious" -- a…
“I lost it in the sun” (baseball infielder after fumbling a ground ball)
Baseball outfielders often lose a fly ball in the sun. A popular joke when an infielder muffs a ground ball is that he "lost it in the sun." The Brooklyn Dodgers were leading the New York…
“Baseball is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical”
"Baseball is 90 percent mental" has been cited in print since at least 1974. Kansas City Royals outfielder Jim Wohlford was cited in April 1974 for saying:: "Ninety per cent of this…