Think Like Yogi to Succeed Like Yogi?

Alex Rodriguez says he wants what Yogi Berra has: 10 World Series championships. Berra, famous for his Yogi-isms, could also offer a little advice, such as:

* “Never answer an anonymous letter.”

* “Take a two-hour nap, from 1 to 4.”

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

* “You can observe a lot by watching.”

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

Trivia time: When was the first game with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton all in the starting lineup?

Sure thing: David Letterman, on the New York Yankees’ acquisition of Rodriguez: “Pete Rose is already betting on the Yankees.”

Voice of reason: “The New York media seem far more pumped up about the [Rodriguez] trade than thoughtful Yankee fans,” writes Phil Mushnick of the New York Post. “While their love of the Yankees remains, it no longer seems unconditional.

“Unlike the local media, more than a few Yankee fans are slightly embarrassed.”

Interestingly, no media outlet has gone as bonkers over the trade as the Post.

Boston misery: From Channel 9’s Alan Massengale: “If you think Red Sox fans are upset about this A-Rod deal, wait’ll they find out George Steinbrenner just bought the rights to Ted Williams’ DNA.”

Show time: Addressing the troubles of Colorado football Coach Gary Barnett, who was put on administrative leave after comments he made about a former female kicker, Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle writes:

“Politicians and sports figures like Barnett know this: When the going gets tough, the tough get going -- to ‘Larry King Live.’ ”

The payoff: In January, Regis Philbin and his perky sidekick, Kelly Ripa, bet on the NFC championship game. Regis took the Carolina Panthers, Kelly the Philadelphia Eagles.

Because Kelly lost the bet, she can’t say a word during the opening of Monday’s show.

Sometimes silence really is golden.

Triple terrific: It was noted in a recent Morning Briefing trivia time that Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double for the 1961-62 season. Reader George Kiseda said what was even more impressive was that Robertson averaged a triple double over his first five seasons in the NBA.

Kiseda, a former Philadelphia and Times sportswriter, cited Robertson’s five-year averages, which he got from legendary 76er statistician Harvey Pollack: 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 10.6 assists.

Trivia answer: The 1998 All-Star game at Madison Square Garden. Kevin Garnett was the other starter for the West, which lost to the East, 135-114.

And finally: “For the record,” says Randy Hill of foxsports.com, “the Yankees’ lineup now has more big names than the BALCO subpoena list.”

Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.