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!
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Passionate, heart-stirring quotes (11–20) that embody the way of life of professional baseball players
There are no negatives in life. I believe negatives are simply a preparation period for turning them into positives.Masumi Kuwata
Masumi Kuwata, who had a long career as a pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants and drew attention in high school as part of the “KK duo” with Kazuhiro Kiyohara, left us a memorable quote that makes us think about negatives and positives.
It expresses an attitude of taking things that may seem negative to others as a period of preparation and turning them into the power to move toward the positive.
These words teach us that continuing without losing heart and maintaining the ambition to turn things into positives are the keys to success.
I won’t aim for a distant future; I’ll keep clearing tomorrow’s goals, one after another.Masahiro Tanaka
These are words of wisdom from Masahiro Tanaka, who excelled with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and the New York Yankees.
Among athletes’ quotes, there are many grand statements that speak to dreams and hope, but Tanaka’s words feel relatable—something we can consciously put into practice in our daily lives.
Rather than only focusing on the distant future, they emphasize the importance of working backward and concentrating on what needs to be done right now.
By steadily building on these daily efforts, we can one day achieve our big dreams and goals.
If you endure, you will surely become a strong person.Senichi Hoshino
These are the words of Senichi Hoshino, who excelled as a player for the Chunichi Dragons during his career and later made his mark as a manager for the Chunichi Dragons, the Hanshin Tigers, and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
During the Great East Japan Earthquake, he was the manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, the team from the disaster-stricken region, and his words are remembered for inspiring many people.
He conveys that no matter what difficulties you face, you should give your all in the present and confront them head-on—that strength lies along the path you advance by doing so.
Because these are the words of Hoshino, who rebuilt teams whose results had faltered, they carry real persuasive power; they are words that lift your spirits and make you want to keep pushing forward.
I don’t dislike headwinds—in fact, I’m grateful for them. Without headwinds, you can’t move on to the next step in anything.Ichiro
An athlete who has excelled in professional baseball both in Japan and abroad, Ichiro has served since 2018 as a special assistant to the chairman and an instructor for the Seattle Mariners.
His famous quote, “I don’t dislike headwinds; I’m grateful for them.
Without headwinds, you can’t move on to the next step,” perfectly embodies the presence of someone who has achieved so many great feats.
The message that headwinds are the very key to growth encourages us to view difficulties in a positive light.
It’s a quote to remember when your spirit is about to break—one that gives you the courage to stand up again.
If you’re satisfied with the status quo, that’s the end of it.Tomonori Kanemoto
Tomonori Kanemoto, one of the standout sluggers of the Heisei era, was beloved under the nicknames “Aniki” and “Iron Man.” His at-bat where he, protecting his fractured left hand, swung with just his right arm and still knocked a hit is the stuff of legend even today.
After becoming a manager, his drill-sergeant demeanor was said to strike fear into his players.
Aniki’s famous quotes teach us the importance of relentless self-improvement.
Whether it’s your current stats—or, for working adults, your present salary—it’s best to keep aiming higher in any situation.
Just picturing Aniki’s face somehow gives you the strength to push on, doesn’t it?
Only those who have prepared for the day that will come someday will be given a chance.Daichi Osera
To achieve good results, thorough preparation and hard work are essential.
And this quote makes us believe that good opportunities will come to those who put in the effort.
These are the words of Daichi Osera, a pitcher who plays for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Even if you’re going through a period where results aren’t showing, if you’re not putting in steady effort during that time, the chance to move on to the next step will surely never come.
Instead of smoldering in frustration when things don’t go well, keep working hard at everything with a burning determination that your time will surely come one day!
Powerful, heartfelt quotes (21–30) that let you feel the way professional baseball players live their lives.
Ambition and a defiant spirit—once you lose those feelings, you’re finished as an athlete.Masataka Yoshida
Despite being on the smaller side for a professional baseball player, Masataka Yoshida has risen to become the world-renowned YOSHIDA.
He won the Japan Series with the Orix Buffaloes, triumphed at the WBC, and captured Olympic gold—his remarkable run shows no sign of stopping.
His words deliver a jolt even to those of us who tend to drift through life.
You can’t build a mindset as strong as his if you let yourself live on autopilot… It makes me want to remember the ambition I had when I started school and the defiant spirit I had when I joined the company—this quote is the perfect cue to bring them back.