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

When I got to professional ball I used to play 150 games every year. It...

When I got to professional ball I used to play 150 games every year. It...

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...

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 didn't say I was that smart, I said I went to class and I...

I didn't say I was that smart, I said I went to class and I...

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...

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

I was very blessed with a good body. Never got hurt. Never was in the...

I was very blessed with a good body. Never got hurt. Never was in the...

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,...

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

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

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 think I was programmed to do good things when I came into the majors....

I think I was programmed to do good things when I came into the majors....

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

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

Baseball is a game, yes. It is also a business. But what is most truly...

Baseball is a game, yes. It is also a business. But what is most truly...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

And my father didn't have money for me to go to college. And at that...

And my father didn't have money for me to go to college. And at that...