I played with the Birmingham Black Barons. I was making 500 at 14. That was a lot of money in those days.

Quote by Willie Mays

Topics: Willie Mays Quotes

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

Defense to me is the key to playing baseball.

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...

People talk about that catch and, I've said this many times, that I've made better...

People talk about that catch and, I've said this many times, that I've made better...

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...

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...

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...

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 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.

In 1950, when the Giants signed me, they gave me $15,000. I bought a 1950...

In 1950, when the Giants signed me, they gave me $15,000. I bought a 1950...

At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball...

At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball...

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...

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...

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...

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 think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.

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

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

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

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 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....