"And my father didn't have money for me to go to college. And at that particular time they didn't have black quarterbacks, and I don't think I could have made it in basketball, because I was only 5′ 11". So I just picked baseball."
Interpretation
Willie Mays reflects on how circumstances shaped his career choices, emphasizing the impact of societal limitations and personal determination.
In this quote, Willie Mays shares the story of how his financial situation and the lack of opportunities for black quarterbacks influenced his decision to pursue baseball instead of basketball. It highlights the idea that one’s environment and available options can greatly affect life paths, while also demonstrating resilience in adapting to challenges to achieve success in a chosen field.
In practice
In a motivational speech about career choices and overcoming adversity.
I remember the last season I played. I went home after a ballgame one day, lay down on my bed, and tears came to my eyes. How can you explain that? It's like crying for your mother after she's gone. You cry because you love her. I cried, I guess, because I loved baseball, and I knew I had to leave it.
Robinson was important to all blacks. To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation.
I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I had to do what I had to do. If you stay angry all the time, then you really don't have a good life.
I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.
In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this.
Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.
I still work hard to know my business. I'm continuously looking for ways to improve all my companies, and I'm always selling. Always.
A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.
Success is more dangerous than failure, the ripples break over a wider coastline.
Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.
My serve can get better, for sure. It's not just about serving bombs, but positioning, variation in speed, in spin.
The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind.
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