The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.

At the beginning of the World Series of 1947, I experienced a completely new emotion when the National Anthem was played. This time, I thought, it is being played for me, as much as for anyone else.

Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.

I don’t think it matters what I believe, only what I do.

I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.

The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.

Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead.