Yogi Berra's Wisdom and the Art of Client-First Live Events

By Show-Me Live Event Production

At first glance, Yogi Berra—the beloved baseball Hall of Famer known for his unforgettable one-liners—might not seem like a business guru. But anyone who’s ever produced a high-stakes live event knows his quirky logic hits home more often than not.

At Show-Me Live Event Production, we’ve been bringing events to life across the Kansas City metro (and beyond) since 1985. And over the years, we’ve learned that successful event production requires more than the right gear—it takes grit, teamwork, humility, and the ability to roll with the punches.

So today, we tip our cap to Yogi Berra and explore how his top 35 quotes remind us what it means to be client-focused, adaptable, and always ready for the next pitch.

1. “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Even when the lights are on and the show is live, we’re still working. We stay until the final cue hits—and sometimes long after—because that’s what our clients deserve.

2. “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

Repetition is how we perfect the process. Load-in. Tech. Show. Strike. We refine with every event.

3. “I usually take a two-hour nap from 1 to 4.”

Okay, maybe not this one… there’s no time for naps when you’re hauling truss and aligning projection.

4. “Never answer an anonymous letter.”

We believe in transparency and accountability. Real feedback. Real names. Real conversations.

5. “We made too many wrong mistakes.”

Mistakes happen. But the wrong ones? We learn fast and fix faster.

6. “You can observe a lot by watching.”

Great production is about awareness. We watch body language, audience cues, and lighting shifts. We see things others miss.

7. “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

Tech evolves. Client expectations shift. We stay ahead of the curve to ensure your event isn’t just current—it’s cutting-edge.

8. “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might wind up someplace else.”

That’s why we never roll in without a plan. Schedules, diagrams, backups—because clarity equals confidence.

9. “It gets late early out here.”

Setup always moves faster than you think. We show up early and stay ready.

10. “If the people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, nobody’s going to stop them.”

Your audience has choices. We make your event so engaging they’ll want to be there—and stay.

11. “Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”

Same with production. Mental prep, visualizing the flow, and staying cool under pressure matter as much as the gear.

12. “Pair up in threes.”

Teamwork is everything. We might joke about Yogi-math, but redundancy is key.

13. “Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel.”

Our answer? Because quality gear matters. We invest in the best so our clients don’t have to worry.

14. “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”

We make any venue feel fresh—because it’s not about the space, it’s about the experience.

15. “All pitchers are liars or crybabies.”

Subtext: Everyone’s got a story. We listen, we vet, and we keep our cool.

16. “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

Budgets are tight. We deliver value that feels like ten times the spend.

17. “Bill Dickey is learning me his experience.”

Mentorship matters. Our crew learns from seasoned pros, and we pass it forward.

18. “He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.”

Versatility is our superpower—A/V, lighting, rigging—we hit from every angle.

19. “I always thought that record would stand until it was broken.”

We aim to break records: attendance, engagement, wow-factor.

20. “I can see how he won 25 games. What I don’t understand is how he lost five.”

We don’t focus on wins alone. We analyze what didn’t go right so we can do better next time.

21. “I don’t know… they had bags over their heads.”

Sometimes show chaos is unavoidable. We roll with it and make the magic happen anyway.

22. “I want to thank everyone for making this night necessary.”

Every event is meaningful. We’re honored to be part of your big moments.

23. “Let them walk to school like I did.”

We work hard. Period. No shortcuts.

24. “In baseball, you don’t know nothing.”

In events, things change fast. That’s why we stay teachable.

25. “I just blame the bat.”

We take responsibility. If something’s off, we fix it. No finger-pointing.

26. “I never said most of the things I said.”

Clear communication is key. We confirm, double-check, and don’t assume.

27. “It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.”

We stay humble. It’s not about us—it’s about the client.

28. “Little League keeps the kids out of the house.”

We love helping organizations that bring people together. That’s what events are all about.

29. “I wish everybody had the drive DiMaggio had.”

We bring that drive. Every client. Every show. Every time.

30. “So I’m ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face.”

Looks aren’t everything. Execution is.

31. “Take it with a grin of salt.”

We don’t take setbacks personally. We adjust and keep it fun.

32. “We were overwhelming underdogs.”

Some of the best shows start with low expectations. We love to overdeliver.

33. “The towels were so thick…”

Details matter. We care about comfort, aesthetics, and quality in everything.

34. “Go to other people’s funerals…”

Relationships matter. We show up for our clients and community.

35. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

When choices arise, we lean in. We solve. We lead.

At Show-Me Live Event Production, we live by these lessons—some accidental, some profound. Because behind every great event is a team that’s focused, flexible, and ready for anything.

Just like Yogi said: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”And for us, it’s never over until the client says, “That was amazing.”

Ready to plan your next event with a team that puts you first? Lets Talk!

Call today at 816-358-8700