May 11 was Yogi Berra’s birthday. He’s 90. He’s a great guy with a wonderful wife, and I had the privilege to escort Yogi and Carmen when they came to Maine for the MBNA management conference several years ago. Yogi did a little baseball clinic in the afternoon for the kids and then spoke at a dinner that evening at Point Lookout, in Northport.

It was great to show Yogi and Carmen around. Growing up, I certainly had heard of and followed Yogi Berra, but knew little about him. I was very pleased to escort him as it was a great opportunity to meet someone I would otherwise never meet and also be around a sports hero. I got what information I could in 2000 about him and went to meet the plane. From the minute he and Carmen stepped off the plane I knew I was around special people. When they got back on the plane two days later, it was like we were old friends. I’m certain that had I chose to keep in touch, we would still be conversing today.

I have to share how embarrassed I was to take Carmen shopping for shoes for Yogi. She thought Yogi would love a pair of Rockport loafers. I never bothered to tell her that those shoes were made in Massachusetts, not Maine, and she never asked. It made no difference because at the shoe places we went to, nobody was interested in selling shoes. If they had known it was Yogi Berra’s wife it probably wouldn’t have made any difference. They were on the phone or too busy to see if they had his size.

I kept apologizing and Carmen said it was fine, but I didn’t think so. Here’s a little baseball connection. A good batting average (in business a long time) may get you up to the plate, but if you don’t deliver at bat (the current sale), you’ll soon be traded (out of business). While I respect longevity, it’s no guarantee of future business. Shopping local is another promotion that small businesses use to get people through the door. If they don’t deliver on their promise, it’s their own fault if the customer goes somewhere else. Carmen didn’t find any shoes for Yogi on that trip.

If you want some wonderful tips on how to be successful in small business, read Yogi’s book, Take It.

That famous quote, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it,” was actually directions Yogi gave to his house.

What could you possibly learn from a baseball book explaining the author’s quotes? Love what you do. Don’t over-think stuff. Be loyal to your team and your customers. You don’t know nothing. The lessons go on and on. I love that book because that’s the way I look at things. Business should be fun. Don’t get too stuck on yourself or what you offer. Be open to suggestions and ideas no matter where they come from. Everything’s going to be all right if you just let it.

The morning that they were leaving I was at the Samoset early to have breakfast with Yogi. He told great stories of how the Yankees rode the train back to New York from spring training and played ball in every town they stopped at.

We had a wonderful conversation before the others arrived for the meal. On the way to the airport, Yogi said he loved Maine but had to get back to New Jersey to watch his grandson play in a Babe Ruth game that evening. I suspected the answer before I asked the question, but I asked anyway. “What position does he play?”

Catcher.

No pressure there.

On this trip, Yogi personally signed two baseballs. One was mine and they wouldn’t tell me who the other one was for. I’m good with that.