LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Manager Don Mattingly and Hall of Fame manager and current executive Tommy Lasorda of the Los Angeles Dodgers talk after a ceremony celebrating Lasorda's 88th birthday on the field before the game with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
As the news of the passing of legendary Yankees catcher Yogi Berra emerged early Wednesday morning, former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda and current manager Don Mattingly mourned the loss of the beloved baseball legend they called a friend.
"[Yogi] did everything to represent the game of baseball in a high degree of class, dignity, and character," Lasorda reflected. "We're going to miss him. He was a great, great guy, and I know I'll miss him."
Lasorda, who celebrated his 88th birthday on Tuesday, also posted a couple remembrances of Berra on Twitter.
Mattingly, who got to know Berra well as a player for the Yankees during his 14-year career in New York, said that he chose to don No. 8 on his manager's jersey in honor of Berra, who sported the number, which was retired by the Yankees in 1972, during his 19-year career, in which he won a record 10 World Series.
"Yogi was such a great inspiration for so many people and treated everyone with respect and kindness," Mattingly said in a statement. "He epitomized what it really meant to be a New York Yankee. His legendary achievements on the field was only outdone by his humility off the field. It's been an honor to call you a friend, we will all miss you Yogi."
Dodgers players also took to social media to honor the affable legend.
As he reflected on Berra's many accomplishments as a player, which include three MVP awards, Lasorda ranks him high amongst all major-league catchers in MLB history.
"He was one of the greatest catchers that ever played the game of baseball," Lasorda said.
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