At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came very quickly in all sports.

Quote by Willie Mays

Topics: Willie Mays Quotes

They throw the ball, I hit it. They hit the ball, I catch it.

They throw the ball, I hit it. They hit the ball, I catch it.

I played with the Birmingham Black Barons. I was making 500 at 14. That was...

I played with the Birmingham Black Barons. I was making 500 at 14. That was...

I don't compare 'em, I just catch 'em.

I don't compare 'em, I just catch 'em.

I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.

I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

The greatest challenge I think is adjusting to not playing baseball. The reason for that...

The greatest challenge I think is adjusting to not playing baseball. The reason for that...

I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I...

I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I...

When I was in Birmingham I used to go to a place called Redwood Field....

When I was in Birmingham I used to go to a place called Redwood Field....

When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.

When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.

I always enjoyed playing ball, and it didn't matter to me whether I played with...

I always enjoyed playing ball, and it didn't matter to me whether I played with...

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must...

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must...

I'm a very lucky guy. I had so many people help me over the years...

I'm a very lucky guy. I had so many people help me over the years...

Robinson was important to all blacks. To make it into the majors and to take...

Robinson was important to all blacks. To make it into the majors and to take...

I was a baseball player, I taught baseball, and all of a sudden I was...

I was a baseball player, I taught baseball, and all of a sudden I was...

Maybe I was born to play ball. Maybe I truly was.

Maybe I was born to play ball. Maybe I truly was.

It's not hard. When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But when I'm hitting,...

It's not hard. When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But when I'm hitting,...

Yes, I had to learn how to live life outside, but I had so many...

Yes, I had to learn how to live life outside, but I had so many...

That's how easy baseball was for me. I'm not trying to brag or anything, but...

That's how easy baseball was for me. I'm not trying to brag or anything, but...

If you can do that - if you run, hit, run the bases, hit with...

If you can do that - if you run, hit, run the bases, hit with...

I would try and help everybody, because the game was so easy for me. It...

I would try and help everybody, because the game was so easy for me. It...