Since the announcement of New York Yankees icon Yogi Berra, it’s been all about Yogi. And, why not?

The athlete who had that special penchant for those kooky quotes dubbed Yogisms, such as “It ain’t over ’til it’s over” and “When you come to a fork in the road, take it,” died on Sept. 22 at the age of 90.

He was known to make appearances in the area for a variety of reasons over the years.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day brings us back to one of those appearances more than half a century ago — 53 years back.

On this occasion, in 1962, Berra showed up at Monmouth Softball League’s the dedication of lights at Kavookjian Field on Route 36 in Middletown, according to a story written by Hy Cunningham in the Red Bank Register dated June 29, 1962.

The lights were erected in memory of Highlands softball player Robert Leonard who died in a blimp crash “just short of a year ago,” the story said.

Leonard was known as an all-around good athlete “in his school days” in Atlantic Highlands as well as Rutgers University, according to the story.

Berra made the appearance with fellow ball player Bill “Moose” Skowron.

“Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers had youngsters in tow and all were bright eyed with the thrill of getting near Berra and Skowron …” the story said.

Over the years, have you seen Yogi around the towns? Where?

RIP, Yogi Berra.