Baseball’s Most Unforgettable Quotes

The sport of baseball has been around for several centuries, and while it only appeared in the United States in the 19th century, it dates back to 18th-century England, where its origins are found in similar sports of different names - rounders, cricket, and stoolball. It wasn't until 1845 that the rules of the sport as we know it were developed by Alexander Cartright, known as the Father of Baseball.

But it wasn't until the following year when the Knickerbockers played the New York Nine, that the sport was officially born. Since then, it has been America's pastime and has expanded from an initial eight teams in the National League, founded in 1876, followed by eight more in the American League, founded in 1901. The sport has given us legendary players who have left lasting impressions, as well as many memorable quotes. (It's not just sports stars who gave us iconic quotes. Hollywood films, like "The Shining," whose female lead, Shelley Duvall, recently passed away, gave us the iconic, "Here's Johnny.")

Yogi Berra and Babe Ruth, who played for the Yankees during an era dominated by East Coast media coverage, are among those credited with iconic lines. In today's sports landscape, where players face constant scrutiny and direct criticism via social platforms, fewer outrageous quotes emerge. The modern era tends to prioritize professionalism, yet the sport's history remains rich with both humorous and inspirational quotations. For more baseball coverage, check out the best MLB players from each state.

To gather this list of the most iconic quotes from baseball history, 24/7 Tempo consulted sports-centered websites. These include MLB.com, JustBats, and ESPN.com.

"This is like Deja vu all over again."

Spoken by: Yogi Berra
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Berra knew the meaning of déjà vu but wanted to put a fun twist on this quote. This has been used in different movies and television shows ever since the first time it was said. For clarity, déjà vu is a mental state when you feel like you're reliving a past moment.

"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all."

Spoken by: Lou Gehrig
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Lou Gehrig was ahead of his time, a player who wanted everyone to experience playing baseball regardless of ethnicity. This was controversial at the time, but it showed how open and accepting baseball players could be if they were like Gehrig. He didn't live long enough to see Jackie Robinson play in the MLB, but he likely would've been proud to see the game he loved grow.

"Remember these two things: Play hard and have fun."

Spoken by: Tony Gwynn
Most notable team: San Diego Padres

Tony Gwynn remembered the importance of having fun in all that you do in life. If you play hard and have fun, you can expect good things to happen to you. If not, you're going to go through life feeling miserable and sad. His advice was to always smile and be happy, no matter what.

"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."

Spoken by: Babe Ruth
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Nearly every baseball player wanted to grow up and be like Babe Ruth. He's hit the third most home runs of all time, which is why seeing this quote is so inspirational. He reminds people that when it feels like something is going wrong, your next big moment could be right around the corner.

"Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Spoken by: Babe Ruth
Most notable team: New York Yankees

This is another Babe Ruth quote that rings true to everyone. People frequently let their fear overwhelm them, but it shouldn't ever stop anyone from doing what they like. As long as you try, you'll likely still feel accomplished.

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

Spoken by: Yogi Berra
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Yogi Berra was being honored in his hometown of St. Louis. The play on words of needing to be smart to play baseball made him want to make a joke of the math behind the quote. Berra went on to have one of the greatest careers as a catcher but is also known for his memorable quotes.

"Fans don't boo nobodies."

Spoken by: Reggie Jackson
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson reminded people to ignore the haters and what they say. Fans won't boo someone who won't be around for long in their respective industry. People generally only care about those who are succeeding and will continue to do so in the future.

"Well, it took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball, and I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."

Spoken by: Hank Aaron
Most notable team: Atlanta Braves

During the off-season, golf was a hobby many baseball players enjoyed. However, it's difficult to make sure their swing doesn't get messed up from golfing. A golf swing is downward, while a baseball swing should be parallel to the ground. Hank Aaron, who's hit the second most all-time home runs, once joked about how difficult hitting a golf ball is.

"When you start the game, they don't say 'Work Ball!' They say, 'Play ball!'"

Spoken by: Willie Stargell
Most notable team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Willie Stargell knew how lucky he was to play baseball professionally. He referenced that his job literally proclaimed to the players to "play" ball not "work" before the first pitch of every game. Stargell's mindset allowed him to enjoy his career and understand the big picture.

"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life."

Spoken by: Mickey Mantle
Most notable team: New York Yankees

People think that just because they've been doing something their whole life they're an expert on it. Mickey Mantle cut right through this belief with his famous words, which rang true, particularly in baseball, where there are so many unique ways to get on base and play the game.

"I'd be willing to bet you, if I was a betting man, that I have never bet on baseball."

Spoken by: Pete Rose
Most notable team: Cincinnati Reds

This particular quote will go down in infamy because Rose was accused of betting on the team he managed and was banned from baseball. This quote only confused people more, which was the goal for Rose. Although he was the all-time leader in at-bats, hits, and games played, his actions off the field resulted in his being blocked from ever making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Since gambling has become more socially accepted, fans are excited to see if Rose will get into the Hall of Fame.

"Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead."

Spoken by: Jackie Robinson
Most notable team: Brooklyn Dodgers

According to Jackie Robinson, there's nothing like the high of winning. When you're losing, you don't want to give up. Instead, you keep playing until you win. Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, while also showing that everyone has the same mindset when it comes to baseball – and life.

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer."

Spoken by: Ted Williams
Most notable team: Boston Red Sox

Failing 70% of the time would make most people go crazy. In baseball, you'd be considered one of the greats if that was your career average. This is part of the reason why baseball is so unique. You have to have the mental strength to fight through when it feels like a constant failure.

"Close doesn't count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades."

Spoken by: Frank Robinson
Most notable team: Baltimore Orioles

Another trailblazer in baseball was Frank Robinson, a manager and player known for his witty remarks. He made sure people knew that a play only mattered if it was official, regardless of close plays that always occur in baseball. Robinson is credited for helping African Americans become managers in the sport.

"The greatest feeling in the world is to win a major league game. The second greatest feeling is to lose a major league game."

Spoken by: Chuck Tanner
Most notable team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Some people take their everyday lives for granted. No matter what position you have in life, odds are there's someone in the world who would switch with you in a heartbeat. Chuck Tanner, a former manager and player, knew how lucky he was to work in baseball. Win or lose, Tanner came to the park every day with a smile on his face.

"Never save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain."

Spoken by: Leo Durocher
Most notable team: New York Giants

Society lives with this idea that tomorrow is promised. Leo Durocher, a former player and manager, played the game like tomorrow wasn't promised to him. Baseball teams and managers like to think ahead, but Derocher said he'd rather win at the moment and figure out tomorrow when it got there.

"Baseball is like driving. It's the one who gets home safely that counts."

Spoken by: Tommy Lasorda
Most notable team: Los Angeles Dodgers

The goal in baseball is to get as many runners across home plate as possible. Legendary manager Tommy Lasorda painted this picture to help those who might not understand. Much like driving, as long as you get home safely, that's what matters.

"I never had a job. I just always played baseball."

Spoken by: Satchel Paige
Most notable team: Kansas City Monarchs

If he played in the MLB for his entire career, Satchel Paige would be a more commonly known name in the baseball world. He played the majority of his best seasons before baseball was integrated, which prevented him from receiving the years and records he had. He is arguably the greatest pitcher ever and played the game professionally in his 50s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame and also holds the record for being the oldest player to ever pitch a game – he was 59.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Spoken by: Jackie Robinson
Most notable team: Brooklyn Dodgers

It's hard to find anyone who had a bigger impact on the future than Jackie Robinson. He understood his life wasn't going to just be about him. Instead, he helped minorities around the world have access to sports and he viewed them as equal people.

"They give you a round bat, and they throw you a round ball, and then they tell you to hit it square."

Spoken by: Willie Stargell
Most notable team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Willie Stargell had another great quote that only baseball players might understand. He once said, "They give you a round bat, and they throw you a round ball, and then they tell you to hit it square." Squaring up a baseball is the goal, but, ironically, the ball and bat are both round.

"There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened."

Spoken by: Tommy Lasorda
Most notable team: Los Angeles Dodgers

This quote applies to all areas of life. Tommy Lasorda, who was the manager of the Dodgers, talked about how he noticed three different types of baseball players. The goal should always be to show up as the person who makes it happen. If not, you're going to regret not doing everything you could to succeed for the rest of your life. For more baseball coverage, click here to uncover the greatest baseball player the year you were born.

"If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, Jeopardy, I hate to lose."

Spoken by: Derek Jeter
Most notable team: New York Yankees

Being captain of the New York Yankees isn't a job that everyone would be able to handle, but Derek Jeter isn't one of those people. He led the team to five World Series titles, but he wanted to win at more than baseball, he wanted to win at everything he undertook. Jeter made sure those who were ultra-competitive knew it was okay to be like that.

Baseball’s Most Unforgettable Quotes

"This is like Deja vu all over again."

"There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all."

"Remember these two things: Play hard and have fun."

"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."

"Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

"Fans don't boo nobodies."

"Well, it took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball, and I did it in one afternoon on the golf course."

"When you start the game, they don't say 'Work Ball!' They say, 'Play ball!'"

"It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing your whole life."

"I'd be willing to bet you, if I was a betting man, that I have never bet on baseball."

"Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead."

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer."

"Close doesn't count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades."

"The greatest feeling in the world is to win a major league game. The second greatest feeling is to lose a major league game."

"Never save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain."

"Baseball is like driving. It's the one who gets home safely that counts."

"I never had a job. I just always played baseball."

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

"They give you a round bat, and they throw you a round ball, and then they tell you to hit it square."

"There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened."

"If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, Jeopardy, I hate to lose."

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