"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."
Willie MaysRead
In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires full commitment and hard work.
Willie Mays emphasizes that excellence is not achieved by mere talent or luck; it requires total dedication and commitment to one's goals. This dedication fuels the hard work and perseverance necessary to reach a high level of achievement in any field.
Themes
ExcellenceDedicationCommitmentSuccessHard Work
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about achieving goals, one might start with this quote to underline the importance of commitment.
More from Willie Mays
All quotes →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.
Willie MaysRead
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.
Willie MaysRead
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.
Willie MaysRead
I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.
Willie MaysRead
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.
Willie MaysRead
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