Get in front of the ball, you won't get hurt. That's what you've got a chest for, young man.
John McGrawLearn to know every man under you, get under his skin, know his faults. Then cater to him - with kindness or roughness as his case may demand.
John McGrawYou think the greatest thing in the whole world would be to become a baseball player - if best things already happened, what's next?
John McGrawIn playing or managing, the game of ball is only fun for me when I'm out in front and winning. I don't give a hill of beans for the rest of the game.
John McGrawWith my team I am an absolute czar. My men know it. I order plays and they obey. If the don't, I fine them.
John McGrawHe (Honus Wagner) was the nearest thing to a perfect player no matter where his manager chose to play him.
John McGrawOne percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other 99 percent are followers of women.
John McGrawNo club that wins a pennant once is an outstanding club. One which bunches two pennants is a good club. But a team which can win three in a row really achieves greatness.
John McGrawSportsmanship and easygoing methods are all right, but it is the prospect of a hot fight that brings out the crowds.
John McGrawIf I had to pick the greatest team player in baseball today-and I have some of the greats on my own club-I would have to pick Pie Traynor.
John McGrawI name (Honus) Wagner first on my list, not only because he was a great batting champion and base-runner, and also baseball's foremost shortstop, but because Honus (Wagner) could have been first at any other position, with the possible exception of pitcher. In all my career, I never saw such a versatile player.
John McGraw