Passionate, heart-stirring quotes that let you feel the way of life of professional baseball players.
From Japan’s professional baseball leagues to MLB, the WBC, and the Olympics, countless memorable quotes have emerged from players who have shined on the biggest stages.
In this article, we highlight famous quotes from professional baseball players—both retired and active—who have excelled across many arenas.
Spoken to inspire themselves and their teams, these words will encourage not only those who dream of becoming pro baseball players, but also anyone who pours their effort into something every day.
Let these passionate words—tough yet full of heart—ignite your spirit!
Stirring, passionate quotes (1–10) that convey the way of life of professional baseball players
Let’s stop admiring (others).Shohei Ohtani
These are the words that drew attention as those Shohei Ohtani spoke to his teammates just before the final of the 2023 WBC.
The U.S.
team was packed with Major League superstars, and Ohtani is known to have fired everyone up by saying, “If we don’t stop admiring them, we can’t surpass them.” This message isn’t limited to baseball—it’s sure to ignite your spirit in any sport when you face the very people you look up to.
Even if I face setbacks, I don’t lose my pride—that’s because I’m putting in the effort.Shigeo Nagashima
These are the words of Shigeo Nagashima, who left countless records and memories as a leading figure in professional baseball.
Behind success lies time spent continually facing failure and setbacks.
In studying, too, when results don’t come as hoped, we may feel our confidence slipping—but the very fact that we are making an effort is something to be proud of.
Periods without results are times of building strength.
As long as we keep challenging ourselves, we can hold our heads high and face forward.
This quote affirms the self who is striving and gives us the courage to rise again.
Effort lasts a lifetime; opportunity lasts a moment.Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Tsuyoshi Shinjo shone not only in Japan but also overseas, playing for the Hanshin Tigers, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and in Major League Baseball, and after retiring as a player, he has continued to shine in the baseball world as the manager of the Fighters.
When you think of Shinjo, you might picture a glittering, glamorous image, but here are his words that express the importance of sustained effort.
He says that to seize a fleeting chance, you have to keep working hard throughout your entire life.
While his flashy performances tend to leave a strong impression, there are countless stories from his playing days showing that he put in more effort than anyone.
When I encounter something I don’t understand or come across something I don’t know, I think, “Oh, I’ve still got it.”Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro)
These are the words of wisdom from Ichiro Suzuki—known simply as “Ichiro”—who achieved numerous major accomplishments, including becoming the first Asian player to win season MVP, leading the league in batting average, and topping the stolen base charts.
His sincerity toward baseball and his relentless discipline are well known.
You can feel his single-minded dedication in this quote as well.
Many people become anxious or worry about what to do when they hit a wall, but he takes joy in knowing his potential still lies beyond it.
It’s a mindset we could all strive to emulate in life.
Frustration is given only to those who can endure it.Hideki Matsui
These are the words of Hideki Matsui, who excelled with the Yomiuri Giants before moving to the United States and playing in the Major Leagues for many years.
We can interpret them to mean that the feeling of frustration is granted only to those who can use it as a springboard.
In other words, if you’re not facing something seriously, you won’t feel frustrated—and it’s meaningless unless you can move forward without wasting that feeling.
These words remind us that the emotion of frustration exists so that, when we experience setbacks, we won’t give up and will try again.
I’m really glad I played baseball. I’m glad I stayed in love with baseball all this time. I want to fall even more in love with baseball.Senichi Hoshino
During his playing days he excelled with the Chunichi Dragons, and after retiring he managed the Hanshin Tigers, the Rakuten Eagles, and even Japan’s national team—Senichi Hoshino.
These words were spoken in a speech at a celebration in 2017, just before his passing, commemorating his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
They show how deeply he truly loved baseball, conveying how happy he felt to be able to devote his life to the game he was so passionate about.
It’s a message that makes you want to pursue what you love to the fullest, just like Hoshino did.
Effort is always rewarded. If there is an effort that brings no reward, it cannot yet be called effort.Sadaharu Oh
“Wan-chan” is the affectionate nickname of Sadaharu Oh, who became a home run king with his one-legged batting style.
During his playing days, he was a star for the Yomiuri Giants and received the People’s Honor Award—truly a legendary figure.
He is also known as a man of relentless effort.
Although he apparently never showed that side of himself in public, the stories of his dedication are intense.
Here is a famous quote from Sadaharu Oh that resonates with those who work hard but don’t see results: we must not be satisfied merely with making an effort; we must make the kind of effort that leads to success.