Episode 37: Rogelio “Yoji” Najera

Originally aired on April 25, 2022.

My first interview with Yogi has been my most downloaded and listened to podcast so far. It resonated with so many different people and received so much positive feedback I was excited that he agreed to do a part two.     In this episode I talk with Yogi about some of the most influential people from my youth that came from Highland Park such as Ricky Williams, Charles Steel, Titus Fisher as well as others. Highland Park was the name of the local recreation center that served as the hub for everyone who grew up in East Dago ( City Heights).  We would meet there for everything from playing carroms, ping-pong, strike-out, basketball in the cage, tackle football, dice games to the legendary blues brothers setting up their turntables and playing music in the summertime.    We also broaden our discussion to include some of the legends from other neighborhoods throughout the San Diego area. Yogi's impressive basketball career at Hoover High led him to friendships with many of the other great San Diego athletes like, Percy Gilbert, Carl Fisher, Tyrone Miller, Lawrence West, Norman Baker, Sleepy Caldwell and many others.    Since some of these stories and memories took place nearly 40 plus years ago there were a couple of details that I'd like to correct. Percy Gilbert is 5 years older than Yogi, not 5 years younger.  And his Hoover High teammate’s name was Mike Hyatt not Mike Haupt.