“I was all-state in four sports in New Jersey, but sometimes I couldn't get served at a restaurant two blocks from my high school. There were no job opportunities then... the only thing a black youth could aspire to be was a bellboy or a pullman or an elevator operator, or, maybe, a teacher. There was a time when all we had was black baseball.” TwoSometimesStatesSchoolJobsOpportunitySportsBlackTeacherFourYouthHigh SchoolBaseballBlockRestaurantsAspireJerseyNew JerseyElevatorsOperatorsAll StateJob OpportunitiesBlack Youth Author:Monte Irvin
“Baseball is a lot like life. It's a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life.” OpportunityExistenceBaseballDay To DayUps & Downs Author:Ernie Harwell
“Baseball is a game of failure. There are plenty of opportunities to be down, or to feel sorry for yourself, or to be upset at somebody or upset at yourself.” FeelsOpportunityGamesBaseballSorryPlentyUpsetFeel Sorry For You Author:Mark Teixeira