Baseball is a game, yes. It is also a business. But what is most truly is is disguised combat. For all its gentility, its almost leisurely pace, baseball is violence under wraps. – Willie Mays
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. – Willie Mays
When I was in Birmingham I used to go to a place called Redwood Field. I used to get there for a two oclock game. Where can you make this kind of money playing sports? It was just a pleasure to go out and enjoy myself and get paid for it. – Willie Mays
Thats how easy baseball was for me. Im not trying to brag or anything, but I had the knowledge before I became a professional baseball player to do all these things and know what each guy would hit. – Willie Mays