Baseball is not just about statistics. The sport is also about the storylines and narratives that occur every season between the lines. Baseball quotes are one part of the game besides statistics that are forever etched in history.
Here are the best baseball quotes of all time from players, managers, and movies. We cannot forget about Hollywood!
Best Baseball Quotes: The Players
“For the past two weeks, you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth” – Lou Gehrig
I am not crying. You are crying!
“Baseball was, is, and always will be the best game in the world to me.” – Babe Ruth
The best player of all time is not wrong.
“I could have played baseball another year, but I would have been playing for the money, and baseball deserves better than that” – George Brett
This statement needs to be utilized by more players in today’s game. Baseball is turning into a sport that’s all about the money, and the game deserves more.
“You could be a kid for as long as you want when you play baseball” – Cal Ripken Jr.
The Ironman explains why people love baseball. For a few hours a day, people can relive their childhood through the sport.
“If you have a bad day in baseball, and start thinking about it, you will have ten more” – Sammy Sosa
It’s the game of failure, and that’s why it’s special.
“When baseball is no longer fun, it’s no longer a game.” – Joe DiMaggio
Baseball should always be about the game, which DiMaggio reminded the world of with this baseball quote.
“In baseball, you can’t kill the clock. You’ve got to give the other man his chance. That’s why this is the greatest game” – Earl Weaver
This one puts the game in perspective. There is no sport like it in the world.
Best Baseball Quotes: The Managers
“There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” – Tommy Lasorda
Lasorda was a skipper that coached players who made it happen.
“Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand.” – Leo Durocher
Durocher sums up the scaredness of the sport in this quote.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen.” – Bob Lemon
Pitching and defense win baseball games. Winning is simple.
“Close doesn’t count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades” – Frank Robinson
I hope you get a laugh out of this baseball quote.
Best Baseball Quotes: Hollywood
“Do you know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play baseball.” – Dennis Quaid in The Rookie (2002)
The Rookie did $80.7 million at the box office. Disney created a fantastic film based on the true story of Jim Morris, who was played by Dennis Quaid.
“If you build it, he will come.” – Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams (1989)
Is there a more famous baseball quote from Hollywood than this one from the Field of Dreams? The film made $84.4 million at the box office.
“I’ve tried them all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball” – Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham (1988)
Bull Durham only claimed $58 million at the box office, but this line will always go down in Hollywood history for baseball films.
“How can you not be romantic about baseball?” – Brad Pitt in Moneyball (2011)
Moneyball is the true story of Billy Beane’s recreation of Major League scouting through analytics which helped the A’s win the American League West after losing star players like Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon. The film grossed $110.2 million in theatres.
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” – Babe Ruth in real life and Art LaFleur in the Sandlot (1993)
The Sandlot only produced $34.3 million at the box office, but it’s one of the best sports movies of all time. No quote stands out more in the film than the one spoken to Benny ‘the Jet’ Rodriguez by “The Babe.”
Tanner Kern is a writer for Knup Sports and the Sports 2.0 Network. He is the host of Between the Lines, the official show of Baseball Spotlight, and the main contributor for the website. Connect with Tanner on IG @tannerkern and Twitter @tannerkern_.
