Being a team captain is more than going out for the coin toss. It’s more than a ceremonial title, more than being most popular, even more than an honor. It’s a serious responsibility and it’s not for everyone, regardless of on-field exploits. The immortal Babe Ruth was stripped of his captaincy after only five days. Soccer icon Mia Hamm felt uncomfortable wearing the captain’s armband. Truth is, a number of teams in sports don’t even have a captain; only a handful of the 30 major-league baseball teams had a captain in 2007.

Yet there is an increasing demand for character and leadership in sports, as well as accountability and team unity. In response, the NFL recently launched a captain’s initiative, identifying their bestowed players with a “C” patch on their uniforms, much like the fabled “C” in hockey.

Captains are players of influence. They motivate, encourage and support their teammates. Simply, they lead by example, and the positive roles they play are as important as ever. The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center pays tribute to some of the most outstanding team leaders in sports.