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Mays, Berra named Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients (Reuters)

By Steve Ginsburg

WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday named Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Yogi Berra recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Mays, 84, played 22 years in the majors, won two National League most valuable player awards and retired after the 1973 season with 660 home runs, fifth most all-time.

Lawrence Peter Berra, known to the world as Yogi, who died in September at the age of 90, was a catcher with the New York Yankees and one of the sports world's most beloved and frequently quoted figures.