# 5608a - 2021 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Yogi Berra

US #5608a
2021 Yogi Berra (Imperforate)

• Celebrates the best catcher in the American League in the 1950s, a feared hitter, and overall great baseball player – Yogi Berra

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  June 24, 2021
First Day City:  Little Falls, New Jersey
Quantity Issued:  25,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Flexographic, Offset, Microprint
Format:  Panes of 20
Tagging:  Phosphor, Block Tag

Why the stamp was issued:  To honor one of America’s greatest baseball players – Yogi Berra.

About the stamp design:  Pictures an original digital portrait of Berra in his Yankees hat, uniform, and catcher’s gear. Artwork by Charles Chaisson. “Yogi Berra” lettering by Michael Doret.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

History the stamp represents:  Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra (May 12, 1925 – Sepember 22, 2015) is widely considered to be one of baseball’s greatest catchers and best clutch hitters of all time. He was an accomplished catcher and played 19 seasons of Major League Baseball, with nearly all of those with the New York Yankees. He later took on the roles of team manager and coach.

Yogi Berra signed with the Yankees when he was just 18 years old. However, his baseball career was put on hold almost immediately when he volunteered to fight in World War II. During the war, Berra joined the United States Navy and Served as a gunner’s mate. He took part in the Normandy landings, eventually earning a purple heart for his actions.

Finally, at the age of 21, Berra was able to start his professional baseball career. He was short compared to most players, just 5 feet, 7 inches tall, but was a powerful hitter and excellent catcher. By the time he retired from baseball, Berra had played or coached in 21 World Series games, with 13 of those being victories. He also set the Major League Baseball record for most shutouts caught in history (173), won 10 World Series rings, and played in 75 World Series games.

There will never be another player quite like Yogi Berra. Between his skills on the field and his famous “Yogi-isms,” his memory will live on forever.