Heartbroken Jeter, Hal, baseball world remember Yogi

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Yogi Berra stands at home plate during the last game at the old Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008.Reuters

Yogi Berra is embraced by pitcher Don Larsen as he leaps into Larsen's arms at the end of Game 5 of baseball's World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers at New York's Yankee Stadium.AP

Yogi Berra along with family and friends celebrate Yogi's 90th birthday at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Montclair, New Jersey.Anthony Causi

Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford sit in the golf cart they were brought out in for introductions in the Old Timers Ceremony before a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in 2013.Paul J. Bereswill

Yogi Berra stands with Gary Carter during the last regular season game ever at Shea Stadium.Getty Images

Yogi Berra accompanied by the vice president's wife, Jill Biden (left), and first lady Michelle Obama before Game 1 of the 2009 World Series.Paul J. Bereswill

From left: Joe Girardi, David Cone, Don Larsen, Yogi Berra, David Wells and Jorge Posada.Charles Wenzelberg

Yogi Berra accepts a light from Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto after Berra handed out cigars to celebrate the birth of his son in the Yankees clubhouse in New York on Sept. 25, 1951.AP

Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella (left) and New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra.AP

Clockwise from top left: Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Vic Raschi, Allie Reynolds.Bob Olen

Yogi Berra manages the New York Mets in the early 1970s.Getty Images

Berra's baseball Hall of Fame plaque in Cooperstown, New York.Getty Images

Yogi throws out the first pitch in 2010.EPA

Yogi Berra makes a grab for a foul pop bunted by pitcher Tony Pena of the Kansas City Athletics at Yankee Stadium in September 1962.AP

Yogi poses in spring training.Getty Images

Reggie Jackson with Yogi BerraPaul J. Bereswill

Yogi Berra shares a laugh with Derek Jeter in 2008.AP

Tributes to Yogi Berra poured in from across the baseball world on Wednesday, following the news of the Yankee legend’s death.

Yogi Berra was a character, a caricature, a military hero and a baseball giant. He transcended the game, an icon who was as familiar to the baseball-ignorant as the baseball purists.

The Bronx Bombers announced they’ll wear a No. 8 patch on their left sleeves for the rest of 2015, honoring the Hall of Fame catcher who donned that number during his playing days. The Yankees’ first home game following Berra’s death is Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox.

When news came down in the early hours of Wednesday that the 90-year-old Berra had passed away Tuesday night, people from all walks of life mourned the loss of a Yankees legend, yes, but also an American one.

Derek Jeter, former Yankees shortstop

“To those who didn’t know Yogi personally, he was one of the greatest baseball players and Yankees of all time. To those lucky ones who did, he was an even better person. To me he was a dear friend and mentor. He will always be remembered for his success on the field, but I believe his finest quality was how he treated everyone with sincerity and kindness. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Hal Steinbrenner, Yankees general partner

“Yogi Berra’s legacy transcends baseball. Though slight in stature, he was a giant in the most significant of ways through his service to his country, compassion for others and genuine enthusiasm for the game he loved. He has always been a role model and hero that America could look up to.

“While his baseball wit and wisdom brought out the best in generations of Yankees, his imprint in society stretches far beyond the walls of Yankee Stadium. He simply had a way of reaching and relating to people that was unmatched. That’s what made him such a national treasure.

“On behalf of my family and the entire Yankees organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Yogi’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Ron Guidry, former Yankees pitcher

“It’s just a sad day. We’re losing a great man and I’m losing a great friend. He was always a very good friend of mine. All I know is every time I hear the word ‘baseball,’ I think of Yogi.”

Joe Torre, former Yankees manager

“We’ve lost Yogi, but we will always have what he left for us: the memories of a lifetime filled with greatness, humility, integrity and a whole bunch of smiles. He was a lovable friend.”

Andy Pettitte, former Yankees pitcher

“What an honor it was to have rubbed shoulders with Yogi. He embraced me from the first day I met him. Heck, he embraced everyone he met. Yogi loved talking baseball and sharing stories, and I was always excited to hear them. He was a special man who brought smiles to the faces of an awful lot of people.

He served our country with honor, and I can’t think of a better ambassador to have represent this game.

He will be sorely missed, and my heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.”

New York Mets

Even though he was best known as a Yankee catcher, Berra also made a mark in Flushing, Queens.

He managed the Amazin’s to the 1973 NL pennant, and the team honored Berra with a moment of silence before its game on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.

On an electronic board facing out of the stadium, the Mets displayed a picture of Berra in orange and blue and the simple message: “In Loving Memory, Yogi Berra 1925-2015.”

“Yogi Berra was a baseball legend who played a key part in our history. He was kind, compassionate and always found a way to make people laugh. With us he was a player, coach and managed the 1973 ‘Ya Gotta Believe’ team to the National League pennant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Tom Seaver, former Mets pitcher

“They threw away the mold in regards to Yogi. He was one of a kind. He loved the game. As a manager, he never tried to complicate things. He let his players play. He respected what you did on the field. He was an utter delight to be around.”

President Barack Obama

“Yogi Berra was an American original – a Hall of Famer and humble veteran; prolific jokester and jovial prophet. He epitomized what it meant to be a sportsman and a citizen, with a big heart, competitive spirit, and a selfless desire to open baseball to everyone, no matter their background. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans in New York and across the world.”

Rob Manfred, MLB commissioner

“Yogi Berra’s character, talent, courage, extraordinary experiences and inimitable way with words made him a universally beloved figure in Baseball and beyond … Renowned as a great teammate, Yogi stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all.”

Rob Manfred

“Berra stood for values like inclusion and respect during the vital era when our game began to become complete and open to all.”’

Bobby Richardson

“Yogi Berra was my wonderful, longtime friend,” Richardson said. “He had so many accolades in the world of baseball that it is almost impossible to realize how many. He was a World War II veteran and a great friend. It’s a deep loss.”

Social media lit up immediately with remembrances of the 18-time All-Star catcher, some spilling stories of the good old days, some choosing their favorite Yogi-ism, some simply wishing he rest in peace.