Richard Hyatt: Memories of a real hero

I was 9 the year I met Yogi Berra.

The New York Yankees were in town for an exhibition game with the Atlanta Crackers. I had never seen a Major League game, but I knew they were world champs and I knew Yogi wore No. 8.

We had box seats behind the Yankee dugout, thanks to my cousin Jackie.

She was a babe, with chemically enhanced hair, flashy makeup and a model’s wardrobe. She was friends with Billy Martin, New York’s second baseman. Through him she got to know Yogi and a lot of his teammates.

My 10th birthday was coming up and she knew I was a baseball fan, so Jackie and her boyfriend took me to the ballpark.

That wasn’t my first time at Poncey, but it was my first time to sit so close.

More than anything I was going to meet my first big league ball player.

Jackie walked me to the railing next to the dugout and introduced me to Yogi and Billy. Yogi signed my autograph book and then turned his attention to my glamorous relative.

He was more interested in her than some wide-eyed kid.

Soaked with testosterone, I watched the big leaguers at work. They didn’t know I was there and that hurt.

My savior was Charlie Silvera, a backup catcher who spent nine faceless seasons with the Yankees. He hit one home run, appeared in 201 games and cashed six World Series checks. That night in April, he also filled in for Yogi.

While the others flirted with Jackie, Charlie walked over to where I was standing. He asked me my name and what position I played. I showed him my mitt. While we were talking, he picked up a ball and signed it. He also got Yogi’s signature. He handed the ball to me and I didn’t know what to say.

I never saw Silvera swing a bat but I never forgot him. Years later he was a coach with the Detroit Tigers when Billy Martin was manager. At spring training, I introduced myself to him and told him my story.  He said he remembered but I wasn’t sure he did.

When Yogi died the other day, I thought of Charlie Silvera. He didn’t play like a hero, but he showed a 9-year-old kid how a hero should behave.

— Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent. Reach him at hyatt31906@knology.net.

This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: Memories of a real hero."