There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.
The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Jackie Robinson reflects on his mutual relationship with baseball, emphasizing the contributions he and the sport have made to each other.
In this quote, Jackie Robinson expresses his gratitude towards baseball, acknowledging that both he and the game have had a significant impact on each other's existence. He recognizes that while baseball provided him with opportunities and a platform to showcase his talent, he also gave back to the sport by breaking racial barriers and inspiring future generations. This reciprocal relationship highlights the value of mutual respect and contribution in one's pursuits.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a sports event, one might quote Jackie Robinson to inspire young athletes about the importance of giving back to the game.
More from Jackie Robinson
All quotes βMy problem was my inability to spend much time at home. I thought my family was secure, so I went running around everyplace else. I guess I had more of an effect on other people's kids than I did my own.
I had no future with the Dodgers, because I was too closely identified with Branch Rickey. After the club was taken over by Walter O'Malley, you couldn't even mention Mr. Rickey's name in front of him. I considered Mr. Rickey the greatest human being I had ever known.
The colonel replied that he didn't care how my men had got the job done. He was happy that it had been accomplished. He said that, obviously, no matter how much or how little I knew technically, I was able to get the best out of people I worked with.
When I look back at what I had to go through in black baseball, I can only marvel at the many black players who stuck it out for years in the Jim Crow leagues because they had nowhere else to go.
In all my years of baseball, I have always expected to be traded. I never liked the idea.
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Even the thunderous master-blasters, like Andre Russell and MS Dhoni, men who now make scoring more than 20 runs per over look simple, often thrive on the right side of an incredibly slender gap between six and out. They are not more lucky than anyone else. They are more brilliant.
How can you not be romantic about baseball?
Talent doesn't win football games. But talent, heart and desire do. A good coach will recognize what's inside.
You have to remember one thing: Football is entertainment; it's not life or death. Once the game is over, you're already talking about next year and the draft. It's just entertainment.