Baseball greats Willie Mays and Yogi Berra are among 17 people named Monday by President Barack Obama to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.
"From public servants who helped us meet defining challenges of our time to artists who expanded our imaginations, from leaders who have made our union more perfect to athletes who have inspired millions of fans, these men and women have enriched our lives and helped define our shared experience as Americans," Obama said in a statement.
Berra, who died Sept. 22 at age 90, was a Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his unique way of turning a phrase as for his record 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees.