Berra, Koufax inducted amid star-studded Class of 1972
On Aug. 7, 1972, Sandy Koufax and Yogi Berra were inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Berra became a dominant force behind and at the plate for the Yankees over the next 18 seasons, earning All-Star selections in 15 seasons, three American League MVP Awards and 10 World Series titles. He later went on to manage the Yankees and the New York Mets for parts of seven seasons.
“This is the most important day of my life,” Berra said in his induction speech. “I want to thank everybody who made it necessary.”
Berra finished his playing career with a .285 batting average and 358 home runs. He holds the record for most World Series appearances with 14, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his second year on the ballot with 85.6 percent of the vote.
“My only regret is that my father and mother, my brother John and Gil Hodges could not be here,” Berra said. “But I want to thank baseball for what it’s given me…I only hope that I can put something back.”
Janey Murray was the digital content specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Related Hall of Famers
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Yogi Berra

Sandy Koufax

Early Wynn

Lefty Gomez

Josh Gibson

Buck Leonard

Ross Youngs

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