Louis, Missouri and back then when he lived there it was a Italian neighborhood. His parents Pietro and Paolina Berra, were Italian Immigrants. His father arrived at Ellis Island, the famous New York immigration port in 1909. Surprisingly, his father knew nothing about baseball. Across the street from the Berra house was future MLB catcher Joe Garagiola. Joe played his first World Series game at the age of 20 for the 1946 World Series champion, Cardinals. Berra and Garagiola went to South Side Catholic school but, Berra quit school after eighth grade. When Berra was in the American Legion baseball in St.Louis, he received his nickname from a friend by the name Bobby Hofman, another future MLB player. Bobby said Berra looked like an Indian holy man when he sat with his arms and legs crossed, waiting to bat or looking sad after a defeat. In 1942 the Cardinals chose to sign Garagiola over Berra. The Yankees sent Berra to Norfolk, Virginia, to a minor league
Louis, Missouri and back then when he lived there it was a Italian neighborhood. His parents Pietro and Paolina Berra, were Italian Immigrants. His father arrived at Ellis Island, the famous New York immigration port in 1909. Surprisingly, his father knew nothing about baseball. Across the street from the Berra house was future MLB catcher Joe Garagiola. Joe played his first World Series game at the age of 20 for the 1946 World Series champion, Cardinals. Berra and Garagiola went to South Side Catholic school but, Berra quit school after eighth grade. When Berra was in the American Legion baseball in St.Louis, he received his nickname from a friend by the name Bobby Hofman, another future MLB player. Bobby said Berra looked like an Indian holy man when he sat with his arms and legs crossed, waiting to bat or looking sad after a defeat. In 1942 the Cardinals chose to sign Garagiola over Berra. The Yankees sent Berra to Norfolk, Virginia, to a minor league