Yogi Rememberance

 

"I really didn't say everything I said." -- Yogi

There may have been a single TV at Ilion High School, installed there this mid-October day and placed in the auditorium center stage during the 1960 World Series.  Students with study hall were excused from class to go to the auditorium and watch a baseball game.  It was the seventh game of the Fall Classic... an afternoon game (before the money-changers ran the game)... and I remember Yogi coming to bat in a later inning.  The Yankees were behind the Pirates... as Yogi walked to home plate.  Some of the kids seated around me gasped... someone else should take this at bat (AB)... send up a good pinch hitter, etc.  But no, Yogi was left to stand in.  Don't recall how many baseballs were pitched his way - but that long ball Yogi hit into the stands is fondly remembered.  Everyone present cheered for Yogi's great homerun... even those who had lamented his plate appearance a few moments before.  The Yankees lost that game to Pittsburg 9-to-10 and the 1960 World Series was now lost too.  Disappointing to most, but fondly remembered are Yogi's accomplishments that October afternoon. Yogi's stats during the 1960 World Series: 22 AB; 7 hits; .318 BA; 8 RBI, not bad for an aged over 35 "old man."  Thanks for the memories Yogi.

Seaman Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

USS Bayfield (APA-33) and
LCS(S) Rocket Boat Gunner

United States Navy

World War II Overseas Veteran

Veteran of D-Day
A "Gator Navy" Survivor

12 May 1925 -- 22 Sep 2015

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." --Yogi
 

Rest In Peace
 

A “Captain of Destiny” is our ancestor George Denison.

Born in the 1620 English countryside, the youth George Denison sailed with his parents and brothers in 1631 aboard the good ship Lion to Massachusetts Bay Colony. George grew to manhood in the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury, there meeting his first-love Ms. Bridget Thompson. The couple is wed in 1640, had two girls Sarah and Hannah, and within a few mid-1643 weeks his beloved aged 21 wife Bridget was dead – likely stricken by childbirth complications. An obviously distraught George leaves his two young daughters in Massachusetts with Bridget's mother and sails off to England where he joins the Oliver Cromwell Parliamentarian Army.  There he trains as a cavalry trooper, is later promoted to Captain of Cavalry, and serves with distinction in several engagements against King Charles' royal troops.  George is badly wounded at the head of his company during the Battle of Naseby. He is nursed back to health by Ann Borodell, an Irish beauty he quickly loves and marries. Now with the First English Civil War near the end, Captain George Denison takes his military discharge from Cromwell's Cavalry and soon sails home to Massachusetts with his new bride "Lady Ann."

A gallant individualist, a frequent rebel, a loving family man, a significant southeast Connecticut land-owner, a successful farmer, a principled local public official, a strong colonial Connecticut legislator, and an intrepid military officer with the early Connecticut Militia – Captain George Denison is ranked among the first few true Americans. George earned the heartfelt praises of his colonial contemporaries – his valiant services proclaimed "...well deserve never to be forgotten."

For further information on the exploits of our 10th Great Grandfather Captain George Denison (twelve generations senior), see the interesting book on his life and times by direct descendant and our cousin Mr. Ray W. Denison – the book “Captain of Destiny.”  Ray has researched period history from many sources both in the UK and the New England colonies -- these sources are cited in an extensive and helpful bibliography.  Where direct evidence on the good Captain is lacking, Ray has extrapolated source facts as they may have impacted the life of Captain George.  In this regard, the book is at times a work of historical fiction.  This good read can be purchased from The Denison Society, Inc., P.O Box 42, Pequotsepos Road, Mystic, CT 06355, Phone: (860) 536-9248.  Book cost is less than $20. 

Note:  Image depicted here is a public domain representation of typical 1645 cavalry troopers in Oliver Cromwell's New Army, displayed here for free-use, non-profit educational purposes only.  These images can be viewed by a simple Google search.