Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair Robbed, Priceless Memorabilia Stolen

A team of burglars stole priceless memorabilia from Montclair’s Yogi Berra Museum on Wednesday morning, police reported.

The museum, an iconic tourist destination for sports fans, houses irreplaceable memorabilia - including a recent exhibit of love letters Berra wrote to his wife over the course of 65 years. Essex County Police are offering a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated to The New York Post that he has no idea what was stolen, but is “outraged” at the violation of the beloved institution. Yogi Berra, 89, currently lives in Montclair.

The burglars may have gained entry to the Museum through Yogi Berra Stadium, which is connected to the Museum on the Montclair University campus, The New York Post reports. The stadium is currently home to the New Jersey Jackals, a minor league team.

Some of the irreplaceable artifacts housed at the museum include the glove Yogi Berra used to clinch the only perfect game in World Series history, Berra’s championship rings and baseball cards.

The museum opened it’s doors in 1998 to honor the sports hero who played catcher for the New York Yankees from the 1940s to the 1960s. Berra also led the Bronx Bombers to 10 world series, winning 14 American League pennants.

Fontoura told The New York Post that the museum is “an iconic asset to locals and baseball fans everywhere.”
“That stuff in there is valuable, Fontoura told the Post. “It’s all one-of-a-kind stuff. It’s all his personal stuff.”

The museum has declined to comment on the robbery but has posted a message on their website and Facebook page stating that the museum is currently closed.

Photo courtesy of the Yogi Berra Museum Facebook Page.