Robson was the Berra of good tidings

Famed English soccer coach Sir Bobby Robson passed away Friday, prompting retrospective newspaper articles that focused on Robson’s Yogi Berra-esque use of the English language.

The Scottish Sun recalled numerous examples, including these:

After playing Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup: “We didn’t underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought.” “There will be a game where somebody scores more than Brazil and that will be the game they lose.” “Ray Wilkins’ day will come one night.” “We don’t want our players to be monks, we want them to be better football players because a monk doesn’t play football at this level.” “In a year’s time, he’s a year older.” “The first 90 minutes of a football match are the most important.” “If you count your chickens before they’ve hatched, they won’t lay an egg.” “Home advantage gives you an advantage.” “The margin is very marginal.” “Maybe not goodbye . . . but farewell.”

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Trivia time

Who said, “He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.”

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The worst is still to come

Cleveland fans might have grumbled when the Indians handed out Victor Martinez bobblehead dolls Saturday night just a day after the team traded the All-Star catcher to the Boston Red Sox.

“You think you’re angry now?” asked Yahoo.com’s Kevin Kaduk. “Wait until the LeBron James T-shirts in 2011.”

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No chance in 10

Bobby Bones, a radio host in Austin, Texas, claimed he could return at least one of 10 serves from Andy Roddick and then -- unluckily for him -- actually got his opportunity.

Although Roddick took a lot off his normal 135-mph serve, Bones had no chance in his 10 attempts.

Afterward, Bones acknowledged that Roddick was the king -- adding that he was “the queen.” Roddick replied, “That’s an insult to all queens over the world.”

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Trivia answer

Yogi Berra.

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And finally

From Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle: “Any time baseball salaries seem obscene, take a quick trip back in time to when owners held all the cards, and abused that power. The Oakland Athletics drafted Rickey Henderson and offered him $10,000 to sign. He demanded $100,000. The two sides compromised at $10,000.”

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mike.penner@latimes.com