I could always hit. I learned to hit with a broomstick and a ball of tape and I could always get that bat on the ball.
Stan MusialRead
I came up in 1941 and I played against men who played in the 1930s. I stayed until 1963 playing against men who will be playing in the 1970s. So I think I can feel qualified to say that baseball really was a great game, and baseball is really a great game, and baseball will always be a great game.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the enduring greatness of baseball through distinct eras.
Stan Musial's reflection highlights the timeless appeal of baseball, showcasing his personal experiences across multiple decades of the sport. His statement suggests that no matter the era, the essence and greatness of baseball remain constant, emphasizing its significance in sports history and culture.
In practice
During a sports history lecture, you could use this quote to discuss the evolution of baseball.
I could always hit. I learned to hit with a broomstick and a ball of tape and I could always get that bat on the ball.
Almost all of us growing up have played baseball on some level. It has an inside track with people. It has a unifying effect.
Everybody in middle-distance running knows each other, and we all know what we are capable of.
In England, footballers are respected more, the game is more noble, there's less cheating. Every Spaniard who goes loves it - and comes back a better player. If I had ever left, it would have been to England.
There are footballers who are very good playing on the outside but don't know what to do inside. Then there are players who are very good inside but don't have the physique, the legs, to go outside.
We need the quarterbacks. It's a passing league and a quarterback-driven league. We need the Peyton Mannings in football uniforms out there playing - the Tom Bradys, the Drew Breeses, the Philip Riverses - we need those guys instead of them standing on the sideline.
If you win through bad sportsmanship that's no real victory.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.