NEED TO KNOW
- The 1955 World Series took place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 and featured the New York Yankees facing off against crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers
- In the 8th inning of Game 1, catcher Yogi Berra was outraged after an umpire declared Jackie Robinson safe after a home plate steal
- The contested play became a subject of debate once again as its 70th anniversary approached, with Yogi’s granddaughter, Lindsay, sharing her thoughts
Yogi Berra’s granddaughter weighed in on the legendary catcher’s honest thoughts about one of his most-talked-about career moments.
In honor of the 70th anniversary of the 1955 World Series, the National Baseball Hall of Fame shared footage from what they deemed “one of the most discussed and debated plays in baseball history.”
The video showed the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson’s attempt to steal home against the New York Yankees’ catcher, Berra. The umpire called Robinson safe, while Berra animatedly disagreed. While the Yankees went on to win the game, Berra would continue to argue that the call was incorrect.
The museum asked fans to share their own thoughts, seven decades later: “You make the call: Safe or out?”
Commenters discussed the play and even unearthed clips from different angles. Then, Lindsay Berra, who is not only the beloved Yankees’ granddaughter but a sports writer herself, revealed what the catcher said about the moment behind the scenes.
“Grampa insisted until the day he died that Jackie had been out. But I always say safe or out is irrelevant. What matters is that Jackie was IN: In baseball, in the world, in our hearts and minds forever 🙏⚾️❤️ #yankees #dodgers #mlb,” she wrote.
Robinson was the first Black athlete to play in the MLB, breaking barriers when he earned a starting spot at first base in 1947. His success opened the doors for other Black players to join the league, cementing change in the league and the nation as a whole.
The best-of-seven playoff matchup saw Robinson’s Dodgers ultimately beat the Yankees. In return, the Yankees would win the World Series in another matchup against the Dodgers the following year.
The two teams met in the World Series six times in a decade — 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955 and 1956. However, 1955 was the only one of the matchups that resulted in a Dodgers’ victory. Then, in 1958, the Dodgers relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
Yogi Berra yells at umpire after the safe call.
Frank Hurley/NY Daily News Archive via Getty
Last fall, the two teams found themselves facing off once again. Director Ron Howard, 73, teamed up with fellow filmmaker R.J. Cutler for the Apple TV docuseries Fight for Glory: 2024 World Series, offering viewers an inside look into the monumental World Series matchup as a lifelong Dodgers fan.
Despite not knowing which teams would make it to the World Series when they first signed on to do the project, Howard says it was serendipitous that his favorite team made their way in: “I’m a lifelong Dodgers fan, so it was thrilling for me. As executive producer, I just got to sit back and be a fan.”
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While he might be a diehard fan, Howard grew concerned when his beloved team was doing a bit too well against the Yankees. “The Dodgers got up 3-0, and I was torn for the first time in my life,” he told PEOPLE at the time. “I’m a producer that wants a little more drama, wants the series to go just a little bit longer, and yet my beloved Dodgers are close to a sweep.”
Ultimately, Howard was pleased with the outcome (the Dodgers won 4 games to the Yankees’ 1). “I’d say that I got my cake and ate it, too,” he said. “It was a great series, and we got to be part of producing a great documentary.”
The 2025 World Series is slated to start on Oct. 24. While the Yankees have been eliminated from contention, the Dodgers earned yet another spot in baseball’s biggest stage after beating the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS Championship.
The Los Angeles-based team will face off against either the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays.
