Mickey Mantle

Today's Little Leaguers, and there are millions of them each year, pick up how to hit and throw and field just by watching games on TV. By the time they're out of high school, the good ones are almost ready to play professional ball.

As far as I'm concerned, Aaron is the best ball player of my era. He is to baseball of the last fifteen years what Joe DiMaggio was before him. He's never received the credit he's due.

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

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball.

In 1960 when Pittsburgh beat us in the World Series, we outscored them 55-27. It was the only time I think the better team lost. I was so disappointed I cried on the plane ride home.

To play 18 years in Yankee Stadium is the best thing that could ever happen to a ballplayer.

Roger Maris was as good a man and as good a ballplayer as there ever was.

Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said, 'Sure, every time.'

A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own. A gang is where a coward goes to hide.

The only thing I can do is play baseball. I have to play ball. It's the only thing I know.