best baseball speeches of all time

Historic Baseball

14 Iconic Induction Speeches: Baseball Hall of Fame Highlights

Baseball, America’s pastime, is a sport rich in history and tradition. At the heart of this tradition lies the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, a hallowed ground that celebrates the game’s greatest players, managers, and contributors. Among the most anticipated events in the baseball calendar are the induction ceremonies, where legends of the game give speeches that often become as memorable as their careers. This article revisits some of the most unforgettable induction speeches that have left an indelible mark on the history of baseball.

1. Lou Gehrig’s Farewell (1939)

Lou Gehrig’s induction speech in 1939 is not just one of the most memorable in baseball history, but it is also one of the most poignant moments in sports. Known as the “Iron Horse” for his record-breaking streak of consecutive games played, Gehrig’s career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. During his farewell speech at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth,” a statement that resonated deeply with fans and players alike. His grace in the face of a devastating diagnosis exemplified the strength and humility Gehrig carried throughout his career.

2. Jackie Robinson’s Pioneering Spirit (1962)

Jackie Robinson’s induction speech in 1962 was a reflection of his trailblazing career as the first African American to play in the Major Leagues in the modern era. Robinson didn’t just break the color barrier in baseball; he shattered it with his exceptional talent and unwavering dignity. His speech highlighted the challenges he faced and the progress made, but also emphasized the continued fight for equality both in baseball and beyond. Robinson’s words were a powerful reminder of the role sports can play in social change.

3. Cal Ripken Jr.’s Tribute to the Fans (2007)

Cal Ripken Jr., known for breaking Gehrig’s consecutive games record, used his induction speech in 2007 to turn the spotlight away from himself and onto the fans. Ripken spoke passionately about the relationship between players and fans, emphasizing that the latter are an integral part of the game’s success and spirit. His heartfelt appreciation for fan support throughout his career, particularly during his record-breaking streak, made his speech particularly touching and memorable.

4. Ken Griffey Jr.’s Emotional Homage (2016)

Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most beloved players of his generation, delivered an emotionally charged speech in 2016. Griffey, overwhelmed with emotion, shed tears as he thanked his family, particularly his father, Ken Griffey Sr., who was also a Major League player. His speech was a beautiful blend of personal anecdotes, gratitude, and humor, encapsulating the joy and love he had for the game. The image of Griffey donning his cap backwards at the end of the speech, a trademark of his playing days, is a lasting memory for many baseball fans.

5. Mariano Rivera’s Reflection on Perseverance (2019)

Mariano Rivera, the first player ever to be unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame, delivered a powerful speech in 2019 that underscored his journey from a small fishing village in Panama to the pinnacle of baseball success. Rivera, known for his humility and grace both on and off the field, spoke about the challenges he faced, including language barriers and cultural differences. His message about perseverance and faith in the face of adversity was not just inspiring to aspiring athletes, but to anyone facing obstacles.

6. Derek Jeter’s Ode to Hard Work (2020)

Derek Jeter, a player synonymous with the New York Yankees’ success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, used his 2020 induction speech to emphasize the values of hard work and dedication. Jeter’s speech was a testament to his career, defined not just by talent, but by relentless effort and a constant strive for excellence. He also paid homage to his family and mentors who guided him throughout his journey, reminding everyone that success is often a team effort.

7. Rachel Robinson’s Tribute to Jackie (2008)

In a special moment in 2008, Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s widow, was invited to speak during the induction ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her husband’s Hall of Fame induction. Her speech was a powerful tribute to Jackie’s legacy, both as a player and a civil rights icon. Rachel’s words brought to life the human side of Jackie Robinson’s story, his struggles, and his enduring impact on the game and society.

8. Tom Seaver’s Gratitude and Humor (1992)

Tom Seaver, affectionately known as “Tom Terrific,” brought a unique blend of gratitude and humor to his 1992 Hall of Fame induction speech. Seaver, one of the greatest pitchers of his era, expressed profound thanks to his family, teammates, and coaches, but did so with a light-heartedness that captured his personality. His ability to mix anecdotes with expressions of gratitude made his speech both entertaining and deeply moving, showcasing the human side of a baseball legend.

9. Nolan Ryan’s Texas Pride (1999)

Nolan Ryan, a flamethrower from Texas, used his 1999 induction speech to express his deep pride in his Texas roots and his journey through baseball. Known for his record-breaking seven no-hitters and an unmatched fastball, Ryan spoke about the values he learned growing up in Texas and how they shaped his career. His speech was a heartfelt homage to his home state and the people who supported him, from his Little League days to the Major Leagues.

10. Pedro Martinez’s Love for the Dominican Republic (2015)

Pedro Martinez’s induction speech in 2015 was a passionate tribute to his Dominican heritage. One of the most dominant pitchers of his era, Martinez spoke eloquently about the challenges and discrimination he faced as a Latino player. His speech was a celebration of his roots and a call for greater inclusion and respect in baseball. Martinez’s love for his country and his people was palpable, as he proudly waved the Dominican flag, making his speech a memorable moment not just for him, but for all Latin American players in MLB.

11. Chipper Jones’s Family-Focused Speech (2018)

Chipper Jones, one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history, delivered a family-focused speech in 2018. Jones took the opportunity to thank his parents, wife, and children, attributing much of his success to their unending support. His speech was a touching reminder of the important role family plays in the lives of professional athletes. Jones’s genuine and heartfelt acknowledgment of his loved ones added a deeply personal touch to his induction moment.

12. Roy Halladay’s Posthumous Induction (2019)

Roy Halladay’s induction in 2019 was a bittersweet moment. Halladay, who tragically passed away in 2017, was represented by his wife, Brandy Halladay, who delivered a moving speech on his behalf. Her words captured Halladay’s love for the game, his dedication to his craft, and his humility. This posthumous induction was a somber yet poignant reminder of Halladay’s impact on the game and the people who loved him.

13. Randy Johnson’s Reflection on Growth (2015)

Randy Johnson’s induction speech in 2015 was a powerful reflection on personal growth and evolution. Known for his intimidating presence on the mound and his blazing fastball, Johnson spoke about his journey from an erratic young pitcher to a Hall of Fame career. He expressed deep gratitude to those who helped him refine his skills and mature as a player. Johnson’s speech was a compelling narrative of transformation and perseverance, resonating with anyone striving to improve in their craft.

14. Frank Thomas’s Emotional Tribute (2014)

Frank Thomas, also known as “The Big Hurt,” delivered an emotional tribute during his 2014 induction. Known for his powerful hitting, Thomas’s speech was a heartfelt acknowledgment of the people who influenced his life and career. He broke down in tears as he thanked his late father, expressing deep emotion that moved the audience. Thomas’s vulnerability and sincerity showcased a different side of the burly slugger, making his speech a standout moment in Hall of Fame history.

The Baseball Hall of Fame induction speeches are not just a recounting of statistics and achievements; they are narratives that capture the essence of the individuals who have left an indelible mark on the game of baseball. These speeches transcend the sport, offering lessons in resilience, humility, gratitude, and dedication. They remind us that behind every great athlete is a story of struggle, growth, and triumph. As we celebrate these unforgettable moments, we pay homage to the spirit of baseball — a sport that continues to inspire and unite people across generations and borders.

In the hallowed halls of Cooperstown, these speeches live on, echoing the voices of the legends who have shaped the game. Each year, as new members are inducted, the tradition continues, adding new chapters to the rich history of baseball. These moments, immortalized in the hearts of fans, are a testament to the enduring legacy of the game and the individuals who have made it so much more than just a sport.

The 35 Best Baseball Quotes of All Time

From Yogi Berra to Willie Mays, these legends talked a big game.

There's no denying that baseball is an iconic American institution. The big leagues officially formed in 1903 after two professional leagues in the U.S.—the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), joined forces.

But baseball is more than just pro sports. For many of us, it's hard to imagine summer without memories of Little League, attending a double-header, or spending an afternoon in front to the tube catching a game with your old man. It's also a game that musters up tons of nostalgia. (Especially in movies. Here are 30 of the best baseball movies .)

The Covid-19 pandemic caused the 2020 MLB season had to be shortened to just 60 games. And with limited travel, teams played a majority of games against their division opponents. But this year, things are back on track. Opening Day of the 2021 season arrived on April 1, and the schedule is back in full swing, with a whopping 162 games on deck (that's the typical length of the regular season, for the uninitiated). The 2021 All-Star Game is also happening, and is currently scheduled for July 13 . If you're a die-hard baseball fan, life is good so far.

To celebrate the start of the 2021 MLB season, here are 35 of the best baseball quotes. Some are real. Some are fictional. Some are probably a bit of both. But we've gathered some of the funniest, inspiring, and motivating quotes from actors and players alike.

Let us begin with the Book of Yogi Proverbs. Brothers and sisters, remember:

"It ain’t over till it’s over."

"You can observe a lot by just watching."

"Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical."

"I knew the record would stand until it was broken."

"How can you think and hit at the same time?"

"You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you."

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

"In baseball, you don’t know nothing."

Major League and other movies ...

“Juuuuuust a bit outside." ~ Harry Doyle, Major League

“He’ll need a rocket up his ass to catch that one; that baby’s out of here.” ~ Harry Doyle, Major League

“OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it's called "two in a row". And if we win again tomorrow, it's called a "winning streak"... It has happened before!” ~ Lou Brown, Major League II

"There's no crying in baseball!" ~ Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own

"All I know is when we win a game, it's team win. When we lose a game, it's a team loss. " ~ Coach Morris Buttermaker, The Bad News Bears

"Legends never die." ~ The Babe, The Sandlot

"How can you not get romantic about baseball?" ~ Billy Beane, Moneyball

"You know what we get to do today, Brooks? We get to play baseball." ~ Jimmy, The Rookie

Players, coaches, umpires, and fans

"Baseball was, is, and always will be the best game in the world to me." ~ Babe Ruth

"Playing baseball for a living is like having a license to steal." ~ Pete Rose

"Fans don't boo nobodies." ~ Reggie Jackson

"I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw." ~ Willie Mays

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." - Ted Williams

"It ain't nothin' till I call it." ~ Umpire, Bill Klem

"A hot dog at the game beats roast beef at the Ritz." ~ Humphrey Bogart

"Close doesn't count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades." ~ Frank Robinson

"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona." ~ George Will

"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." ~ Leo Ernest Durocher

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." ~ Jacques Barzun

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball." ~ Bill Veeck, Jr.

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~ Rogers Hornsby

"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best." ~ Joe DiMaggio

"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging." ~ Hank Aaron

"Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher." ~ Ty Cobb

"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~ Lou Gehrig

"Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said, 'Sure, every time.'" ~ Mickey Mantle

"Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent." ~ Nolan Ryan

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TheSportster

Top 10 incredible speeches given by athletes.

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Major Update On Janel Grant's Status In Mr.McMahon Netflix Documentary

Matt riddle claims to have settled his real life feud with roman reigns, wwe's new commentary teams for raw and smackdown announced.

Sports are about hard work, determination, commitment, teamwork, practice and a little more hard work. To succeed in the world of sport an athlete must be both physically and mentally strong, and this means that all athletes should have an incredibly high drive and strong work ethic. They have all had to sacrifice and work hard to get to where they are today, with many of them going on particularly difficult journeys to become professional athletes. This makes them fascinating, inspirational and motivational individuals, and over the years there have been many of them which have delivered incredible speeches which have inspired, moved or entertained sports fans around the world.

Normally, listening to athletes being interviewed after games is a dull, predictable affair where they rehash the same old clichés of “giving 110%”, but under circumstances such as award acceptances, retirement announcements and Hall of Fame inductions there have been many brilliantly written or improvised speeches which will be forever remembered. Although constantly in the public eye, athletes rarely get the opportunity to fully express themselves, as their only opportunities arise after a grueling match where a microphone and camera are thrust in their face, or through 140 characters on Twitter, neither of which are the ideal platform to fully express ones thoughts and opinions.

Of course not all athletes are able to articulate their thoughts and many of them are not particularly reflective, but when some athletes get the time and space to express themselves then you will be taken back by what they have to say. We all know that coaches and characters in sports films are able to deliver rousing speeches which can inspire, fire up, move and motivate those that hear them, but what about the athletes?

Here are the top 10 speeches of all time delivered by athletes.

10 10. Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas’s acceptance of the 2009 Vezina award was very humble and Thomas was clearly moved as he delivered his speech. It was a short but sweet speech, but he managed to win everyone’s hearts when he modestly claimed that he had been “more worried about getting my name on the roster than I have been about winning the Vezina Trophy”. Thomas famously struggled to get on a team for many years, so to be voted the league’s best goalie just a few years later it was a truly inspiring story.

He was clearly grateful to be where he was, and does his best to acknowledge those that have stood by him. He would lead the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup a couple of years later. Generally speaking, athletes are arrogant and egotistical, so to see such a humble, heartfelt speech was refreshing to see and helped Thomas stand out from the crowd.

9 9. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis could have had his own top 10 list, as he has delivered an enormous amount of inspirational speeches over the years. He delivers the kind of speeches you find in Hollywood films, and could certainly have a career as a motivational speaker. This speech was delivered to his teammates following the Ravens loss in the AFC Championship game to the Patriots, a time in which most would feel despondent.

Lewis rallied his troops by stating how the taste of defeat would make them stronger, but also how there is more to life than sports as football offers an escape for those who are going through real pain. “This right here makes us stronger. Let’s understand who we are as a team, let's understand who we are as men, and let's make somebody smile when we walk out of here.”

8 8. Dennis Rodman

Although he struggled to get through his speech from the get go, there are not many speeches given by athletes as heartfelt as this one. The Worm let out his true personality to show that his eccentric outfits and wild lifestyle was just a cover, and he was in fact somebody with many flaws. By the end of the speech Rodman used the platform to reach out to his family and how he how wishes he can be a better father to his kids.

Although not the most eloquent, it was clearly a cathartic moment for Rodman and a touching speech which gave us an insight into the real Dennis Rodman. “I didn’t play the game for the money. I didn’t play to be famous. What you see here is just an illusion; I just love to be an individual that’s very colourful.”

7 7. Muhammad Ali

Although not a retirement or Hall of Fame speech, it is impossible to leave off Muhammad Ali when it comes to athlete speeches. He had an incredible way with words like no other athlete, and listening to him speak is as entertaining as watching him in the ring. Before his shock victory over George Foreman in 1974 in a fight dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle, Ali delivered a fantastic poem which epitomises his cheek, flair and confidence.

This poem is packed full of lines which the top rappers would be proud of. “For this fight I’ve wrestled with alligators, I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning and thrown thunder in jail”, as well as the excellent line, “I’m so mean, I make medicine sick”.

6 6. Darrell Green

Darrell Green’s Hall of Fame speech was the perfect blend of humour along with heartfelt emotion, which endeared him to the entire crowd and made sure that he wasn’t the only one crying by the end. He spoke from the heart about both of his parents who are deceased, but made sure not to miss anyone out who had helped him along the way. He delivered the speech in an engaging fashion and had everybody hanging on his every word, and it was a speech that was fitting for such an incredible athlete. His opening line set the tone for the rest of the speech, “Deacon Jones said I would cry. You bet your life I’m going to cry”.

5 5. Ted Williams

Ted Williams used his baseball 1966 Hall of Fame induction as a platform to urge for the addition of black players to Cooperstown. Williams said “I hope that one day Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson will be voted into the Hall of Fame as symbols of the great Negro players who are not here because they weren’t given a chance”. Paige and Gibson were inducted into the Hall of Fame a few years later.

His speech also served as a love letter to the game of baseball and why it is one of the top American sports. This along with him voicing his opinion made his speech a lot more engaging than the majority of speeches which act as a long thank you list.

4 4. Curtis Martin

Curtis Martin’s Hall of Fame speech dealt with heavy subject matter and it clearly helped Martin to articulate his thoughts. His honesty surrounding the abuse his mother suffered at the hands of his late father make for a difficult watch, but it became clear how this became a pivotal moment in his life. His difficult upbringing, death of family members and near death experiences led his mother to tell him to do something after school so that he would be safe.

Despite not being a fan, Martin chose football as his hobby. He excelled at football, and would soon meet a much needed positive male role model, coach Bill Parsons, who helped him to become a successful athlete and man. It is a fantastic, moving and at times disturbing speech, and a terrific insight into the difficult journey that Martin went through to reach the Hall of Fame.

3 3. Michael Irvin

Off-field legal issues surrounded Michael Irvin’s playing career and life after the Dallas Cowboys, but instead of hiding from these dark times during his Hall of Fame induction speech, Irvin tackled them head on. The emotional, brave speech had everyone, including Irvin, in tears, and it was clearly a cathartic moment for the former wide receiver who has battled many demons. No one could question his talent, but many had questioned his character over the years, but this heartfelt speech moved even those who questioned him and people were taken back by his honesty. This speech will be best remembered for the inspiring line “look up, get up and don’t ever give up”.

2 2. Kevin Durant

Whoever wins MVP this season is going to have a hard time topping this speech. Kevin Durant’s MVP acceptance speech stunned the entire world and left even the toughest of people claiming they had something in their eye. Durant is a quiet athlete, which made his near half an hour speech even more gripping and heartfelt. Being the great person that he is, Durant went on to individually thank just about everyone at the Thunder franchise and those that have helped him along the way.

The real beauty of this speech however was when he talked about his upbringing and his mother, who sacrificed so much for Kevin and his brother when they were both young. Durant went on to claim to his mom that “you the real MVP”, which has since become a popular saying. This inspiring and touching speech was amazingly open and genuine, and certainly one for the ages.

1 1. Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig’s speech will go down as not only one of the greatest sports speeches of all time, but one of the greatest speeches in American history. Gehrig was one of the best to play the game and a class act, but in 1939 he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is now commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This quick and aggressive disease forced him into retirement, and it would claim his life just a few years later.

An appreciation day was put on by the Yankees in his honour, and it was here that Gehrig delivered his world famous speech to a packed Yankee Stadium. The entire speech is something to behold, with the opening of the speech being enough to send chills down the spines of many; “Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

The Best Baseball Movie Quotes of All Time

Baseball has always been a source of inspiration for all sorts of creative displays, from art to music and, most notably, movies. The sport’s colorful history filled with astounding moments and characters paved its way to becoming a part of America’s popular culture. And while baseball is often considered to be as much an art form as it is a sport, perhaps no medium captures the grandeur of America’s pastime quite like film.

Whether it’s an iconic one-liner from Bull Durham or a powerful speech from Field Of Dreams, we’ve compiled some of the best baseball movie quotes ever uttered onscreen for your reading pleasure! So cuddle up with your popcorn, crack open a cold beer (or pitcher), and let’s get ready to enjoy the best baseball movie quotes of all time—together!

In this article...

Famous Quotes of All Time

“You’re killing me, Smalls!” —Ham Porter, The Sandlot (1993)

“Pick me out a winner, Bobby.” —Roy Hobbs, The Natural (1984)

“If you build it, he will come.” —Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams (1989)

“There’s no crying in baseball!” —Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own (1992)

“Do you know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play baseball.” —Jim Morris, The Rookie (2002)

“People all say that I’ve had a bad break. But today, today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.” —Gary Cooper, Pride of the Yankees (1942)

“Remember, kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.” —The Babe (Babe Ruth), The Sandlot (1993)

Love and Passion for the Game

“God, I love baseball.” —Robert Redford, The Natural (1984)

“I’d sell my soul for one long ball hitter.” —Joe Boyd, Damn Yankees! (1958)

“We’re not athletes, we’re baseball players!” —Jack Elliott, Mr. Baseball (1992)

“How can you not get romantic about baseball?” —Billy Beane, Moneyball (2011)

“Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun.” —Benny Rodriguez, The Sandlot (1993)

“I love baseball. You know it doesn’t have to mean anything, it’s just beautiful to watch.” —Woody Allen, Zelig (1983)

“I’d wake up at night with the smell of the ball park in my nose, the cool of the grass on my feet… The thrill of the grass.” — Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams (1989)

“Man, I did love this game. I’d have played for food money. It was the game… The sounds, the smells. Did you ever hold a ball or a glove to your face?” —Shoeless Joe Jackson, Field of Dreams (1989)

“I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones…and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball.” —Annie Savoy, Bull Durham (1988)

“I love standing on that mound with a baseball in my hand…staring at a guy holdin’ a club 60 feet away…knowing…that he can’t touch me…It is the only place in the world that I feel powerful.” —Ryan Dunne, Summer Catch (2001)

Humor and Quirkiness

“”Juuuust a bit outside.” —Harry Doyle, Major League (1989)

“We’re both going to have to pray much harder!” —Esther Wrenn, Long Gone (1987)

“Pitcher’s got a big butt! Pitcher’s got a big butt!” —Henry Rowengartner, Rookie of the Year (1993)

“You’re the best thing to happen to baseball since Cracker Jack!” —Bob Carson, Rookie of the Year (1993)

“Anybody who uses computers doesn’t know a damn thing about this game.” —Gus Lobel, Trouble with the Curve (2012)

“There are rich teams and there are poor teams…then there’s 50 feet of crap, and then there’s us.” —Billy Beane, Moneyball (2011)

“I’m an escaped car thief. I broke out of prison to see the Cubs in the World Series.” —James Belushi, Taking Care of Business (1990)

“Hey Yankees! You can take your apology and your trophy and shove is straight up your ass!” —Tanner Boyle, The Bad News Bears (1976)

“Ahh, Jesus, I like him very much, but He no help with curveball.” —Pedro Cerrano; “Are you trying to say Jesus Christ can’t hit a curveball?” —Eddie Harris, Major League (1989)

“Remember, fans, Tuesday is Die Hard Night. Free admission for anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won the pennant.” —Harry Doyle, Major League (1989)

“You guys…you lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Lollygaggers!” —Skip & Larry, Bull Durham (1988)

“God, I always said I would never bother you about baseball, Lord knows you have bigger things to worry about. But if you could make this pain in my shoulder stop for ten minutes, I would really appreciate it.” —Billy Chapel, For Love of the Game (1999)

“Your shower shoes have fungus on ’em. You’ll never make it to the Bigs with fungus on your shower shoes. Think classy, you’ll be classy. If you win 20 in the show, you can let the fungus grow back on your shower shoes and the press will think you’re colorful. Until you win 20 in the show however, it means you’re a slob.” —Crash Davis, Bull Durham (1988)

Motivation & Perseverance

“You think losing is fun?” —Billy Beane, Moneyball (2011)

“Baseball is very hard.” —Dinesh Patel, Million Dollar Arm (2014)

“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” —Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own (1992)

“Well I can’t rightly say (which player hit the ball hardest), but the ones (home runs by Babe) Ruth hit got smaller quicker.” —Walter Johnson, Ken Burns Baseball (1994)

“I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ball club. I know. Write it down. I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.” —Crash Davis, Bull Durham (1988)

“I used to believe, I still do, that if you give something your all it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you’ve risked everything put everything out there. And I’ve done that. I did it my entire life.” —Billy Chapel, For Love of the Game (1999)

“The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again.” —James Earl Jones, Field of Dreams (1989)

Winning and Competition

“Win the whole f—in’ thing.” —Jake Taylor, Major League (1989)

“You get on base, we win. You don’t, we lose.” —Billy Beane, Moneyball (2011)

“All the arguing in the world can’t change the decision of the umpire.” —Lou Gehrig, Pride of the Yankees (1942)

“Everything around here is a competition. You get a bunch of competitors together and you are addicted to winning.” —Finnegan, Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

“I love winning, I f***ing love winning! You know what I’m saying? It’s, like, better than losing? Teach me something new, man, I need to learn. Teach me something.” —Ebby Calvin LaLoosh, Bull Durham (1988)

“A good friend of mine used to say, ‘This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.’ Think about that for a while.” —Ebby Calvin LaLoosh, Bull Durham (1988)

“The key to being a big league pitcher is the 3 R’s: readiness, recuperation, and conditioning. You see, after the game, a lot of guys like to ice up their arm. Still, other fellas think that heat is the way to go. But I have discovered the secret, Henry: hot ice. That’s right: hot ice. I heat up — the ice cubes. It’s the best of both worlds.” Phil Brickman, Rookie of The Year (1993)

Inspirational and Philosophical Quotes

“This quitting thing, it’s a hard habit to break once you start.” —Coach Morris Buttermaker, The Bad News Bears (1976)

“I’m Crash Davis; I’m your new catcher, and you just got lesson number one; Don’t think. You can only hurt the ball club.” —Crash Davis, Bull Durham (1988)

“There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance.” —Annie Savoy, Bull Durham (1988)

“I don’t care if they like me. I didn’t come here to make friends. I don’t even care if they respect me. I know who I am. I’ve got enough respect for myself.” — Jackie Robinson , 42 (2013)

“Quit trying to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring and besides that, they’re fascist. Throw some ground balls. They’re more democratic.” —Crash Davis, Bull Durham (1988)

“You can’t go through life thinking everyone you meet will one day let you down. Because if you do, a very bad thing will happen. You’ll end up like me.” —George Knox, Angels in the Outfield (1994)

“We just don’t recognize life’s most significant moments while they’re happening. Back then I thought, “Well, there’ll be other days.” I didn’t realize that that was the only day.” —Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, Field of Dreams (1989)

“You know what’s really great about baseball? You can’t fake it. You know, anything else in life you don’t have to be great in – business, music, art – I mean you can get lucky…not baseball. You can either hit a curveball or you can’t.” —Ben, Fever Pitch (2005)

“I still get such a bang out of it, playing ball. Same as I did when I first come up. You get out there and the stands are full and everybody is cheering. It is like everybody in the world come to see you. Inside that there is the players in there and their yakking it up and the pitcher throws and your looking for that pill and suddenly there is nothing else in the ballpark and it and sometimes when your feeling right and there is a groove there and the bat just eases into it and meets that ball. When the bat meets that ball you can feel that ball just give and you know it is going to go a long way. Damn, if you don’t feel like your going to live forever.” —John Cusac as Buck Weaver, Eight Men Out (1988)

Which quotes hold a special place in your heart?

As baseball continues to modify and evolve over the years, the movie quotes that originated in its timeline will continue to remain timeless. Whether it’s an iconic one-liner from Bull Durham or a powerful speech from Field of Dreams, they are an inspiration and a source of guidance in our darkest times. These pastime movies have managed to capture and encompass the true spirit of baseball: love and passion for the game, humor, and quirkiness, motivation and perseverance, inspiration and philosophy. And we hope these quotes have been able to bring some cheer into your life today!

At its heart, baseball is really all about having fun. If you’re looking for a little extra motivation or simply in need of some pick-me-up from your all-time favorite baseball movies, these quotes should do the trick! Which quotes hold a special place in your heart? Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they, too can discover some of the best lines from baseball movies ever created!

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Top 10 iconic moments in baseball history

By Carter Williams

Friday marks the 75th anniversary of one of the greatest speeches in baseball history as Lou Gehrig sadly announced his retirement from baseball.

The “Luckiest Man” speech isn’t just one of — if not the greatest — speeches in sports history, it’s one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. Seventy-five years later, it makes fans appreciate what’s given in life, and not what’s taken away.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of this iconic speech, let’s take a look at 10 of the most iconic moments in baseball history.

No. 10 – “The Flip” (2001)

I believe this moment will only grow with time. Derek Jeter is still making memories, but when we reflect on his career, this play will resonate even further. When his career does end, we’ll go back and think, “Why was Jeter there?”

Jeter should’ve, by all means, been on the other side of the field, but was there to pick up two cutoff men on an overthrow to the plate and, in one stride, flip the ball from his position on the first base line to Jorge Posada at the plate to nab Jeremy Giambi at the plate. Of course it’s a fantastic, unbelievable play, but even more so in a one-run playoff like it was.

It’s one of those plays Jeter made that’s what made him the Hall of Famer he will be. Though he has more hits than any Yankee in history and has multiple World Series rings, it’s a play like this that separates him into another level. It’s also a moment that reminds all players to pay attention to what’s going on at all times.

No. 9 – “Touch ’em all, Joe” (1993)

It’s special anytime you can end a World Series with a walk-off home run, and Joe Carter did just that in the 1993 World Series. Carter’s blast off Mitch Williams to give the Blue Jays back-to-back championships is one of the greatest endings one can ask for.

As Carter joyously skips around the bases with his arms held high, broadcaster Tom Cheek makes his famous “Touch ‘em all Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run” call on the radio. It’s a moment that’s fit for a Hollywood script ending.

No. 8 – Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off (1960)

Much like Joe Carter, Bill Mazeroski ended the World Series with one swing of the bat. Unlike Carter, Mazeroski’s was in the decisive Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. In one of the wildest postseason games in history, the Pittsburgh Pirates trailed the New York Yankees 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, when the Pirates scored five runs to take a 9-7 lead into the final inning. However, the Yankees scored two in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 9.

Mazeroski then led off the bottom of the ninth with his walk-off shot to win the World Series for the Pirates. In doing so, he became the first player in baseball history to end a World Series with a walk-off home run. (Carter being the only other to do so).

No. 7 – Carlton Fisk’s 1975 home run (1975)

When Carlton Fisk hit this, Boston was still in the middle of its championship curse. So when the ball was headed for foul territory, Fisk was willing to do anything for the ball to land in fair territory. It did, although it wasn’t enough to snap the curse. However, it did create a moment so iconic that every baseball fan knows this moment.

No. 6 – Cal Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig’s record (1995)

When Cal Ripken played his 2,131st consecutive game, baseball seemed to stop to take notice. The B & O Warehouse, a building behind Camden Yards, was lit with 2,131.

He, of course, did what he also did best that day, he hit a home run .

Who knows if Ripken’s streak will ever be broken.

No. 5 – “The impossible has happened" (1988)

Perhaps no baseball moment is re-enacted more in beer league softball games than Kirk Gibson’s fist pump as rounded the bases on one of the most improbable home runs in baseball history. Gibson, with two bad legs, couldn't even come out to be introduced to start the World Series game. However, he came on to pinch-hit with two outs in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series and smacked a walk-off home run to right anyway.

Legendary broadcasting voices Jack Buck and Vin Scully’s call added to the drama of the event. Buck's “I don’t believe what I just saw” line might be one of the best in baseball broadcasting history.

No. 4 – The shot heard ‘round the world (1951)

This is one of the greatest moments in baseball history. The New York Giants were the ultimate underdogs heading into a best of three with the Brooklyn Dodgers for the National League pennant. That’s because before that, the Giants were down by more than 10 games in the standings in August, but stormed back to force the pennant playoff by the end of the season.

The teams split the first two games of the series and the Giants entered the bottom of the ninth down 4-1, but managed to pull within two runs by the time Bobby Thompson approached the plate. Thompson then launched a three-run home run to cap one of the greatest comebacks in professional sports history.

An unforgettable scene ensued, with the team carrying Thompson off on their shoulders. At the same time, Giants broadcaster Russ Hodges was yelling at the top of his lungs “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!” It’s moments like that that make baseball magical.

No. 3 – Babe Ruth's called shot (1932)

If Kirk Gibson’s fist pump isn’t the most re-enacted moment from baseball’s fans, then Babe Ruth’s legendary “called shot” has to be. It’s debated whether it actually happened or not , but as the tale famously goes, Ruth pointed to the outfield bleachers at Wrigley Field, and then jacked a homer in that direction on the next pitch.

Now sure, this moment is more mythical than anything else, but almost every kid that played Little League or sandlot ball imitated this moment at least once. It’s also been exaggerated in various movies and TV programs throughout the years.

Nothing beats a good mystery, and that’s why this moment, whether it happened in the 1932 World Series or not, is where the legend of Babe Ruth grows beyond his almighty statistics.

No. 2 – Lou Gehrig’s speech (1939)

Could you imagine one of the best baseball players in history to suddenly announce his retirement halfway through the season? How about if said player did it while still one of the biggest stars in the game? That’s exactly what Lou Gehrig did, and he did it in a time when nobody really knew the severity of the disease he had even though he truly didn't realize the full impact of it either.

A couple of weeks after officially retiring, Gehrig returned to Yankee Stadium to deliver one of the saddest, yet most genuinely special moments to happen on the diamond. “I truly consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth” is not just arguably the greatest line from any baseball speech, it’s also one of the greatest lines in American history, especially knowing what he was up against.

ALS was an uncommon disease at the time. Gehrig was baseball’s “Iron Horse” and seemingly indestructible. In all reality, Gehrig probably even played his final year or two as a player with symptoms of ALS. But what made his speech so remarkable is how he knew what was ahead of him, but spoke about all the great things he was given. His words still give goosebumps to this day — 75 years later.

No. 1 – Jackie Robinson breaks the major league color barrier (1947)

There is a moment that’s debated if it actually happened, but Dodgers’ Pee Wee Reese wrapped his arm around Jackie Robinson as fans were berating Robinson. Whether it happened or not, it’s the symbolic moment when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.

Robinson opened the door for all diverse players to enter the majors for years to come.

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Famous Sports Speeches

Famous sports speeches highlight some of the greatest speeches about sports in the history of athletics. From famous speeches by athletes to legendary speeches by coaches, many of the most memorable sentiments in sports history are here on this sports speech list. This list includes motivational speeches for athletes, pump up speeches, and just the most all around famous sport speeches.

If " great moments are born from great opportunity ," then these famous sports speeches helped those opportunities become great moments by providing the motivation to achieve the impossible. What are the most famous sports speeches? From the pre-game pump-up speeches by coaches before championship games to the reflection speeches given after great careers, these famous sports speeches are some of the best ever.

What are the greatest speeches in sports? While sports movies like Any Given Sunday  and Hoosiers give plenty of fictional inspiring speeches , these speeches took place in real life and inspired generations to come.

Jimmy Valvano

Appearing at the first ESPY Awards on March 3, 1993, former North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano gave an emotional and motivational speech while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. Valvano was suffering from cancer at the time, announcing The V Foundation and urging everyone to laugh, think and cry everyday, words that also appeared on his tombstone after he lost his battle with cancer less than two months later.

Showing strength and optimism in the face of adversity, baseball legend Lou Gehrig gave the famous "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech during a New York Yankees game on July 4, 1939, which was also deemed Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.

Only days earlier, the six-time World Series champion had retired from the game after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans... So I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

Herb Brooks

Speaking to his players prior to a game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks inspired his squad to complete the impossible and beat the dominant Soviet team. They did just that, completing the "Miracle on Ice" and went on to win the gold medal.

Though the original speech was done in a private locker room, in the 2004 film Miracle , Kurt Russell recreated the speech.

"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players—every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"

Muhammad Ali

Prior to fighting George Foreman on October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali read this poem as part of the build-up for the fight known as "The Rumble in the Jungle." Ali won the fight in the eighth round, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the history of boxing.

Frail and in pain from nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth made one last appearance at Yankee Stadium for "Babe Ruth Day" on April 27, 1947, to give his farewell speech. The Bambino addressed the sell-out crowd of over 60,000 by reflecting on his journey to the big leagues and inspiring generations to follow in his footsteps.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

You know how bad my voice sounds -- well it feels just as bad.

You know this baseball game of ours comes up from the youth. That means the boys.

And after you're a boy and grow up to know how to play ball, then you come to the boys you see representing themselves today in your national pastime, the only real game -- I think -- in the world, baseball.

As a rule, some people think if you give them a football, or a baseball, or something like that -- naturally they're athletes right away.

But you can't do that in baseball.

You've gotta start from way down [at] the bottom, when you're six or seven years of age. You can't wait until you're fifteen or sixteen. You gotta let it grow up with you. And if you're successful, and you try hard enough, you're bound to come out on top -- just like these boys have come to the top now.

There's been so many lovely things said about me, and I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to thank everybody.

Vince Lombardi

Easily considered one of the best National Football League coaches ever, the great Vince Lombardi gave this final speech to his players on the Green Bay Packers prior to Super Bowl II on January 14, 1968. Lombardi's team defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-14 to win their second-consecutive Super Bowl. His legacy was later honored with the Super Bowl trophy being renamed the Lombardi Trophy.

Five best baseball movie speeches

— -- We Americans love fireworks on the Fourth of July, but Friday also marks the 75th anniversary of another wonderful sight and sound -- Lou Gehrig's famous "luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech at Yankee Stadium.

When people hear this speech in their heads, though, they don't hear Gehrig's voice -- they hear Gary Cooper delivering a slightly different version in "The Pride of the Yankees." That speech is one of my top five baseball movie speeches, all delivered by Academy Award winners. They are listed in chronological order.

1. Gary Cooper ("The Pride of the Yankees")

Portraying the Iron Horse, Cooper tells the crowd , "People all say that I've had a bad break. But today ... today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

2. Susan Sarandon ("Bull Durham")

Sarandon opens "Bull Durham" by explaining her religion . "I've tried them all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in and day out, is the church of baseball." Well put. Now if only season tickets could be considered tax-deductible charitable donations.

3. Kevin Costner ("Bull Durham")

Costner delivers his beliefs , including: "I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing AstroTurf and the designated hitter." But in "JFK," Costner argued, Oswald did NOT act alone. Whatever your take is on that, Crash was definitely right about AstroTurf.

4. James Earl Jones ("Field of Dreams")

Jones eloquently tells Ray Kinsella, played by Costner, that people will pay money to see his baseball field. "People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years has been baseball." He was right. The "Field of Dreams" movie site in Iowa draws tourists from around the world. And no luxury suites were needed.

5. Tom Hanks ("A League of Their Own")

Hanks reminds a player that " There is no crying in baseball ." This is generally true -- baseball is fun! -- although this policy has not applied to Chicago Cubs fans for at least the past 100 years (and perhaps for years to come).

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10 most inspiring sports movie speeches.

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Gladiator 2 rating continues ridley scott's franchise trend from original movie, deadpool & wolverine box office closes in on 11-year-old mcu movie in highest-grossing films of all-time.

The most inspiring sports movie speeches of all time light a fire under every sports fan's heart. They are typically given by head coaches of underdog teams who need a pre-game or halftime locker room pick-me-up to encourage the pursuit of victory against a challenging opponent. They can also arise in other unique ways that encapsulate the feelings of sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love of the game that reminds every athlete, coach, and fan why they play ball.

The timeless tale of inspiring underdogs in sports movies is the culmination of blood, sweat, and tears as well as fearlessness in the face of a formidable opponent. The best speeches in sports movies often remind those it is intended for to keep up their determination and maintain their belief in themselves. The most inspiring moments in sports movies come from the mutual desire to become greater than the sum of any given team's parts and often speak to notions of greatness and achievement that transcend the court or playing field.

RELATED: 12 Awesome Sports Movies Not Based On A True Story

10 Hoosiers - “I Don’t Care What The Scoreboard Says”

In the 1986 classic basketball film Hoosiers , Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) delivers a passionate speech to his Hickory High School Huskers varsity team. Dale walks into a timid locker room in a make-or-break moment that will determine how the Indiana team will approach their big game. Dale's speech denounces the common anxieties that come with pre-game jitters, reminding his team not to focus on winning a distant state championship but to instead remember that the road to victory begins with one step. Dale encourages his team to forget about the crowds and the scoreboard, which leads to an iconic slow clap that fires the Huskers up before they hit the court.

9 Remember The Titans - “Leave No Doubt”

Remember the Titans is full of inspiring moments, but none capture the same intensity of the mid-game motivational speech given by Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). During the Northern Virginia Regional Championship Football Game, Yoast pulls his defensive players aside and reinforces their main objective, telling them to blitz the opponent's quarterback all night. After one of his star players quits during the game, Yoast improvises by subbing in back-up Alan Bosley (Ryan Gosling) and delivered the legendary line "You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans. Leave no doubt!"

8 Glory Road - “Take It”

The most motivational speech in the basketball film Glory Road is delivered by head coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) to his Texas Western basketball team as they are just two minutes from winning a national championship. In the huddle during a timeout, Haskins reminds his players that the key to winning a championship is about heart and which team wants to win the most. His inspiring speech encourages the underdog basketball team to take the victory from the established favorites since they will not hand it over simply. The speech is a declaration of the required willpower that turns competitors into champions.

7 Field Of Dreams - “People Will Come”

James Earl Jones delivers one of the most iconic speeches in all sports movies in Field of Dreams . Terence Mann (Jones) paints a portrait of what the baseball filed will inspire if Ray (Kevin Costner) builds it in his cornfield. The speech intercuts with Ray's contemplation of whether he should sell his property to ensure that he won't lose all of his financial assets. The inspirational speech creates the vision of a magical baseball field that will captivate every fan and player's attention and will ultimately prevent Ray from having to sell his beloved property. Mann memorably reminds Ray that if he builds the field, people will come.

6 Friday Night Lights - “Perfect”

Before the popular Friday Night Lights television series began, a 2004 movie of the same name starred Billy Bob Thornton as Coach Gary Gaines. Gaines delivers a brutally raw and honest speech to his team of football players that reminds them of the fleeting nature of life, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to win while they still have it. Gaines reiterates to his team at their most crucial and vulnerable moment that his notion of being "perfect" is not about winning the game, but about becoming good, reliable people through the game. It's a poignant speech that dives into how life is much bigger than any sports game.

RELATED: 10 Saddest Sports Movie Moments That Will Definitely Make You Cry

5 We Are Marshall - “You Cannot Lose”

We Are Marshall is one of the most devastating sports films ever made with many tear-jerking moments. Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) brings his college football team to the final resting place of former Marshall players and staff members who died in a tragic plane crash. In a grim yet powerful speech, Lengyel reminds his players that although their opponent is physically stronger and more efficient than them, they aren't aware of how passionate they are. Lengyel's message touches on the deepest motivation of any sports competition, which is the commitment and heart in every player and team that can fuel an underdog to victory.

4 Coach Carter - “Our Deepest Fear”

One of the most motivational speeches in sports films is surprisingly not delivered by a coach but a player. In Coach Carter , point guard Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) stands up and recites a poetic monologue that demonstrates the life lessons Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) had taught him during their basketball season. Cruz begins by saying, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." The moment delivers one of the rare speeches in sports movies that is applicable to philosophy and life in all areas, making it exceptionally profound even to non-sports fans.

3 Rocky Balboa - “It’s Not About How Hard You Hit”

Another beautifully constructed speech that applies to life outside the ring can be found is 2006's Rocky Balboa . Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gives an impassioned pep talk to his son that delicately criticizes and motivates him to rise to difficult challenges. One of the most poignant parts of the speech is when Rocky says, "It ain't about how hard you can hit, but about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." It's an incredible message about the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles in order to find success and happiness in life.

2 Miracle - “Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity”

In Miracle , Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) delivers one of the best pre-game speeches of all time. Brooks's command of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team is akin to an army general, which is appropriate given the international tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War at the time. Brooks's speech is focused on the unification and determination required to achieve the highest form of victory. It stresses the importance of disavowing any self-doubt in order to make the most of rare opportunities when they are given.

1 Any Given Sunday - “Life Is A Game Of Inches”

The most inspirational speech in all sports movies is performed by Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday . Coach Tony D'Amato (Pacino) gives a speech that is motivational, heartfelt, relatable, and poetic all at once, proclaiming that life itself is a game of inches that must be earned, just like football. The speech is performed like a sermon that highlights the significance of margins of error in both football and life, which makes all the differences between winning and losing. D'Amato's speech perfectly combines passion, intelligence, and philosophy to create the most inspiring sports movie speech of all time.

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10 Best Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

Slip in your headphones and click over to Youtube. Playing your favorite inspirational  sports movie speeches you’ve seen a thousand times can keep you going during rough times. You could do it before that final , in the late-night hours when you’re ready to give up on studying. Or perhaps before a big game of your own—a moment when you really needed to dig into your depths and pull out the kind of grit that sets the winners apart from the losers. Need some motivational videos to keep you going?

Check out these 10 motivational speeches from the sports movies you grew up watching.

1. “inch by inch”— any given sunday.

“I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what living  is. The six inches in front of your face.”

In the last 18 years, this speech has been adapted to just about every sport. My team listened to it in silence the night before the last race of my high school rowing career, talk about a good pre-game speech. Then, in the final meters of that race, one of our team members screamed the words at us as we clawed for those inches past the other boat. I’ve never pushed my body so hard. Afterward, I closed that chapter of my life with satisfaction because I knew I gave it my all . We all play the game of inches to keep getting ahead in life. Whether you play football or need to get over an ex, we can strive for those tiny increments that measure our progression.

2. “Great Moments are Born from Great Opportunity”— Miracle

“One game. If we played ‘em 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight.”

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, this movie gave us the classic, inspirational speech to have ever graced film. It may not involve a ton of screaming or cursing. It may not push you into that animalistic place that we call “the zone.” The speech doesn’t make use of the theatric elements that some of the other films do. “ It’s brutally honest , but still inspiring,” Montgomery County Community College freshman Mark Fields said. “He tells them that the Soviets could win a majority of the games, but they won’t win the important ones because the American team worked hard and has something to play for…He pretty much says don’t hit the breaks—shock the world… [and] don’t waste the opportunity they worked so hard to get.” This inspirational speech speaks to you in a calm, determined way that just strikes a chord.

3. “I Don’t Care What the Scoreboard Says”— Hoosiers

“Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here.”

As college students, we’ve had enough life experience thus far to know that when we put in hard work, that doesn’t always lead to the W. Even if we give it our all, drifting to sleep atop our books in the library at 3 a.m., that doesn’t necessarily lead to the A. If you’re doing your best, isn’t that enough?

4. “Perfect”— Friday Night Lights

“To me, being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning. It’s about you and your relationship to yourself and your family and your friends.”

Can you look your friends in the eye and know that you’re telling the truth? That you gave it your all? If you can do that with love in your heart, that’s perfection, according to Coach Gaines in this beloved movie. His speech in this scene incites a moment of honesty, friendship and love among his team members. If it doesn’t choke you up, I don’t know what will. You may think that perfection means being the 4.0 honors student involved in five clubs and a paid internship, but it’s not. Perfection comes in that moment when you recognize that you are working toward a goal with the most pure intentions possible. And when it happens in communion with other people? Beautiful.

5. “It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit”— Rocky Balboa

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.”

In this scene, the legendary Rocky Balboa gives his son a bit of a reality check by reminding him that life just isn’t fair. It’s just like boxing, and it doesn’t matter how hard you hit back, but how much you can take and keep moving forward. We all struggle, and most of us don’t talk about the truly difficult stuff we deal with at any given moment. So when finals hit with their hardest blows, don’t give up because you feel like your efforts to fight back don’t cut it. “He just says it with such confidence,” Boston College junior Daniel Dreiling said. “I think that’s what makes it so good.” Don’t succumb to the desperation. Take the blows and keep pushing.

6. Remember the Titans

“And you take a lesson from the dead. If we don’t come together, right now, on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed—just like they were.”

This speech definitely puts things in perspective and absolutely applies to circumstances greater than football. We’ve all had disagreements and biases toward other people. Maybe your best friend told you something about another girl that made you think of her in a less-than-flattering light. We do things like that all the time . It doesn’t matter how you feel about another person. You give them respect —end of story. Without respect, we crumble.

7. “There’s No Crying in Baseball”— A League of Their Own

“Are you crying? Are you crying? Are you crying?! There’s no crying!”

This inspirational speech might not have some deep, insightful message that moves you to your core. But do you really need that when Tom Hanks yells the same phrase in hysterics over and over again? “There’s no crying in baseball!” Sometimes we just need a reminder to cut it out with the self-pity . In the middle of a game, or test or interview, you can’t just stop and sob. You get it together and get on with it. Thank you for the sound advice right there, Tom.

8. Coach Carter

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

The first few words of this speech should sound familiar. They were borrowed from a poem written by Marianne Williamson titled “Our Deepest Fear.” Perhaps our we don’t fear inadequacy. Have you ever even considered that, deep down, you really fear reaching the full potential of your power? Maybe we really do set ourselves up to “play small.” We should not be ashamed of confidence.

9. Gridiron Gang

“Now it’s time to see who has a heart.”

This movie might not make it into everyone’s top 10 sports movies, but it adds a message to the mix that hasn’t really been touched upon yet. At some point in your life, other people probably have—for whatever reason—made you feel like something less than a person. But you are somebody . Don’t forget that.

10. “Pride”— Cool Runnings

“Well you want to know what I see? I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-a** mother who don’t take no crap off nobody!”

We all get down on ourselves, especially in college, an insulated community that thrives off of competition and comparison. Your GPA or perceived social standing do not define you. You are special. You are awesome. This scene shows you how to own that, and if it requires some shouting in a mirror to get the message across, then hey, I say go for it.

10 More Inspirational Speeches to Get You Through College

Written by Lily Holmes

11. The Blind Side

“Are you gonna protect the family, Michael?”

If T he Blind Side doesn’t top your list of favorite Sandra Bullock movies, watch this scene again and remember the girl boss character that is Lee Ann Tuohy. In this scene, main character Lee Ann reminds Michael Orr that his football team is his family, and that he needs to protect the family. Remember this scene when you need to be the mom of the group after a night out.

12. We are Marshall

“How you play today, from this moment on, is how you will be remembered. This is your opportunity to rise from these ashes and grab glory. We are…Marshall!”

Ah, another tear jerker, but nonetheless one of the best speeches by Matthew McConaughey’s character, Jack Lengyel. Duke sophomore Coleman Williams said, “The Thundering Herd show that even through adversity and times of struggle, a community can come together through football.” Remember this speech when the fans around you in the stands at your team’s game seem to give up.

13. Friday Night Lights

“Clear eyes, full Hearts, can’t lose”

If you didn’t shed a tear when Coach Taylor mentioned Jason Street getting paralyzed in the first game of the season, by the end of this halftime pep-talk, hearing “ Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose ” as the Dillon Panthers go on to win their state title should at least warm your heart. Wake Forest student Sarah Jane Miles said, “FNL is an amazing, real, heartwarming show that I couldn’t stop watching once I started. It doesn’t hurt having Tim Riggins to look at, either.” This speech should hype you up after you decide to stay in the night before a test despite peer pressure.

14. The Mighty Ducks

“Ducks fly together.”

In this Mighty Ducks halftime speech, Coach Bombay motivates a group of pre-teen ducklings who are down a few points by noting their character outweighs how they play. He says that to win, they need to be themselves. Following the corny speech, every player stands up to recite their hometown, bringing this misfit hockey team together under the USA logo. The same corniness happens when you finally solidify your college squad and decide to stick together through finals and syllabus week, through thick and thin, making this one of the best sports movies out there.

“In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it ain’t gonna never happen.”

In a dialogue between Rudy and ­Fortune, Rudy basically gets ripped to shreds for complaining he’s not good enough to start for Notre Dame. While, *spoiler alert,* Rudy eventually gets to play in a game, Fortune reminds him to stay humble and sit down (on the bench, literally). We could all use a little reality check  like that every once and a while.

16. Rocky IV

“Going in one more round when you don’t think you can: that’s what makes all the difference in your life.”

In Rocky IV, a victorious Rocky impassions his Communist audience to change their ways after defeating his Soviet competition, and he single handedly saves democracy in doing so! Just kidding. Maybe he can prevent our next government shutdown too.

17. The Replacements

“Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory… lasts forever.”

Whether it’s the pain of a break up and moving on or the pain of losing the national championship to Alabama, watching The Replacements can heal you. In this “short and sweet” pep talk from Shane Falco, he opts for a brief rather than inspirational huddle. The pains we go through in college won’t last forever, but that degree will.

18. She’s the Man

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

While Channing Tatum borrowed these words from a president, he still brings the famous quote up to sports-motivation levels. After Viola’s big identity reveal and pre-game winning goal, Duke gives us a little monologue about how they can achieve greatness with a girl on their team. What a guy. “She’s the man is a classic soccer team sleepover movie,” UVA sophomore Courtney Peters said. “It’s funny, lighthearted, and full of moments that are both cringeworthy and hilarious.”

19. The Sandlot

“Everybody gets one chance to do something great.”

When Benny can’t psych himself up to face the Beast, we all felt for him. Our own Beasts scare us every day. When we get our one chance, a dream closet ghost of Babe Ruth should come to our minds too. Ghost Babe Ruth, how do I hit a home run in messaging this Tinder guy?

20. High School Musical

“You only have 16 minutes left in a Wildcats uniform, so make it count.” 

The Wildcats make a habit of turning basketball into something that makes everyone want to jump into action with their catchy songs. But this speech right before the opening number of HSM 3  applies to more than the struggle between singing and sports. Remember this speech when you need to make your mark on campus before graduation.

** Updated on January 31, 2018 to include list items 11–20 by Lily Holmes .

10 More Inspirational Speeches from Your Favorite Sports Movies

Written by Jake Tammara

21. National Lampoon’s Van Wilder 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDOeBCHa5xs&ab_channel=MissPoste%2aargw27

Van Wilder  is one of Ryan Reynold’s earlier movies in which he stars as an undergraduate college student in his seventh year. Reynold’s character Van gives a speech to his school’s basketball team. He encourages them to step up their defense by stating, “I want you all over that ball like a fat kid on a cupcake!”  

“ I’ve seen Van Wilder at least two dozen times and I still laugh when I hear the cupcake line,” Rutgers University sophomore Andre Mirales said.  

National Lampoon’s Van Wilder  will surely leave the entire fraternity on the floor laughing.

22. Major League 2

In this comedy starring a young Charlie Sheen, the Cleveland Indians need to win more games if they want any chance to win the World Series. Their coach makes it clear to them that they’ll need a winning streak to hold any shot at the title. He then goes on to explain how to get on this winning streak they will need to win two more games. This 1994 sports film remains one that stands out as a film shot before most of Charlie Sheen’s many scandals.  

23. The Program

A 1993 film about football,  The Program  portrays a more realistic and honest version of the game than most other movies. In the film, the ups and downs of a college football program make viewers understand the harsh reality of the sport. In a scene with the team and their coach Sam Winters, he assures his team they have what it takes to win it all, telling them, “ We’re  Gonna  Ring the Bell .”   

24. Poolhall Junkies

In this movie about billiards, Christopher Walken gives what’s known as “The Lion Speech” to Johnny, a contender in a pool competition. Reminding Johnny who the king of the jungle is, Walken’s character Uncle Mike gives the audience one of his most memorable performances.  Poolhall Junkies  may just inspire you to take up the sport yourself. 

25. Field of Dreams

One of the most classic films about baseball ,  Field of Dreams  tells the story about a small-town farm owner named Ray who turned his land into a baseball field. When financial struggles accrue, Ray is urged to sell the land in order to stay afloat.  

“Everyone knows that Field of Dreams has some of the most memorable movie quotes: ‘If you build it, they will come,’” Purdue University alumnus Malcolm Haines said.  

Longtime baseball fan and author Terrence Mann, played by James Earl Jones, convinces Ray to hold onto the field, ensuring everyone that “people will come.”

26. Little Giants  

This 1994 film about a children’s football team features comedy genius Rick Moranis as the team’s head coach Danny O’Shea. When his underdog squad seems to be running out of confidence, he needs to come up with a plan. Coach O’Shea sits them all down in the locker room and tells them the story of how he never could beat his neighbors when they raced. He goes on to explain how eventually, he won… just one time. This speech turned out to be just enough to enhance his self-worth and in turn the teams’ as well.

27. Bull Durham  

Another baseball movie,  Bull Durham  tells the tale of a minor league team and their new pitcher Nuke. Crash Davis, the team’s catcher, decides to take Nuke under his wing and show him the ropes of the minor leagues. In the middle of the film, the audience gets to hear Crash rant about what he believes the rules of baseball should be and boy , does he have a list.

28. Facing the Giants

Though the movie may be about a southern high school football team,  Facing the Giants  contains lessons that can resonate with students of all ages. In one scene, the team’s coach encourages his player to carry his teammate across the field on his back, telling him to do, “Your Very Best!” This iconic scene went viral for showing just how strong someone can be when they put their all into something.  

29. The Wrestler  

A film that contains everything from drama to action,  The Wrestler  provides something for every movie lovers’ taste. The story follows Randy “The Ram” Robinson, played by former boxer Mickey Rourke. In his final round, which he can foretell will be his last, shows appreciation to the fans that loved him since the beginning.  The Wrestler  may not sound like a dramatic film that could pull at the heart strings, but after watching the final speech in the film viewers will surely struggle to hold back their tears.

30. Moneyball  

After walking in on his baseball team basically partying in the locker room after losing a game, Brad Pitt’s character Billy Beane completely loses his cool. Frustrated to say the least, Beane is not very pleased with his roster’s attitude towards competition.  

“I’ve seen every Brad Pitt movie and Moneyball definitely has to be in his top 10, if not top five. Movies based on true stories always make for the best films in my opinion,” Stockton University senior Daniel Franco said.  

As the general manager for the MLB team the Oakland Athletics, he feels ashamed to see his team having so much fun after a loss. He questions the men, curiously asking them,“Is losing fun?” leaving them silent and embarrassed by their actions.

** Updated on March 17, 2021 to include list items 21–30 by Jake Tammara. 

About Shannon Longworth

Shannon is a junior at Boston College, studying English and Communication. Her passions include running, reading, and eating endless jars of peanut butter.

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Ranking the 25 best baseball-movie quotes of all time

When I started this project, I wanted to rewatch (or just watch) every significant baseball movie from the past 50 or so years with the goal of transcribing and categorizing every worthwhile one-liner and or poignant quote and produce the definitive list of the 154 best baseball-movie quotes (because 2023 will be MLB’s 154th season). 

Think big, right?

MORE: The 10 best baseball movies of the ’90s, ranked

My editor, though, didn’t think that would be an efficient use of time, even during the baseball offseason, and I guess he’s right. Even if you limit the list to 50 or so movies, at roughly two hours each, that’s a lot of time for one story. So, I scaled back. 

And here’s the result: The 25 best baseball-movie quotes of all-time. As you might know, I’ve done a lot of “research” into the world of baseball-movie quotes and scenes — Bull Durham , Major League , A League of Their Own , The Sandlot , Field of Dreams — and I do draw heavily on those pieces, though there is some variance in the rankings. 

Truth is, there’s no definitive list, and a quote that might be No. 3 after one watching might feel like No. 1 next time. That’s true, over and over. If I did this list again in August, the ranking would probably be different. Anyway, let’s get started.

Spoiler: The isn’t anything from “Trouble With the Curve” in here. The baseball logic in that movie was an abomination and the quotes weren’t much better. 

25. ‘Pride of the Yankees’: “Today I consider myself …”

The setup: You know the story. Gehrig was the indestructible player who was felled by an incurable disease. This scene depicts Gehrig’s speech in front of the fans and players at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. 

“I have been walking on ballfields for 16 years, and I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. I have had the great honor to have played with these great veteran ballplayers on my left, Murderer’s Row, our championship team of 1927. I have had the further honor of living with and playing with these men on the right, the Bronx Bombers, the Yankees of today. I have been given fame and undeserved praise by the boys behind the wire in the press box, my friends the sportswriters. I have worked under the two greatest managers of all time, Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy. I have a mother and father who fought to give me health, and a solid backing in life. I have a wife, a companion for life, who has shown me more courage than I have. People all say that I’ve had a bad break, but today ... today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

Why it’s the best: Oh, and Babe Ruth himself was standing behind Gary Cooper, right in the frame at the start of the speech. That’s a really cool touch. This movie was produced in 1943, just two years after Gehrig died and four years after his iconic speech. So why isn’t it higher? Gehrig himself said it better, and nothing Cooper could have ever done would have matched it. And this is about movie quotes. 

24. ‘Mr. Baseball’: “We’re not athletes. We’re baseball players.”

The setup: Jack Elliot, aging star player, has been traded from the Yankees to a club in Japan (let’s just pretend that could actually happen), and he’s finding the training part of baseball in Japan to be a bit of a shock. He’s doing a workout next to Max Dubois, another American on the team, and he says this … 

Elliot: “We’re not athletes, we’re baseball players.”

Why it’s the best: John Kruk would be proud.

23. ‘Field of Dreams’: “You guys are guests in my corn!”

The setup: Shoeless Joe Jackson has just invited Terence Mann into the corn field beyond the outfield wall of Ray Kinsella’s baseball field. Kinsela wants to go, and he’s a bit upset.

Kinsella: “Wait a second, why him? I built this field! You wouldn't be here if it weren't for me.” Mann: “I’m unattached. You have a family.”  Kinsella: “I know, but I want to know what's out there. I want to see it!” Jackson: “But you're not invited.” Kinsella: “Not invited? What do you mean, I'm not invited? That's my corn out there! You guys are guests in my corn!” 

Why it’s the best: I know it’s not in the top 10 most memorable or iconic moments in the movie, but the absurdity of that statement is amazing. 

22. ‘61*’: “You’re right, don’t talk to them.”

The setup: Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle are deep into their chase of Babe Ruth’s hallowed single-season home-run mark of 60. Maris is frustrated because the New York baseball writers are turning on him, twisting his words into explosive headlines. He says maybe he should stop doing interviews, but Mantle tells him the secret is he’s got to give the writers something to write about. 

Maris: “I don’t know what to talk about. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.” Mantle: “I don’t know, Rog. I mean, I’ve been living with you most of the season and I don’t know nothing about you.” Maris: “Well, I was raised in Fargo. I played baseball, basketball, football. I married my high school sweetheart. Chose baseball. I played in the minors, came up with Cleveland, traded to Kansas City and then I came here.” Mantle: “You’re right, don’t talk to them.”

Why it’s the best: It’s a movie worth a rewatch, if it’s been a minute since you’ve seen it.

21. ‘Bull Durham’: “I’m just happy to be here.”

The setup: Nuke Laloosh is like a little puppy, so happy to be experiencing success — finally — and happy to be on a winning streak. He hops up to Crash Davis’ seat on the bus. 

Nuke: “I love winning, man! I f—ing love winning! You know what I’m saying? It’s, like, better than losing. Teach me something new, man. I need to learn.”  Crash: “You got something to write with? Good. It’s time to work on your interviews.”  Nuke: “My interviews? What do I got to do?”  Crash: “You’re gonna have to learn your cliches. You’re going to have to study them. You’re going to have to know them. They’re your friends. Write this down. We’ve got to play them one day at a time.”  Nuke: “Got to play … that’s pretty boring, you know?”  Crash: “Of course it’s boring. That’s the point. Write it down!” Nuke: “One day at a time …” Crash: “I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ball club. I know. Write it down. I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.” Nuke: “Good Lord willing …” Crash: “Things will work out.”

Why it’s the best: Look, this list isn’t just about the best one-liners (hey, another idea!); we’re looking at the best run of quotes in the best scenes, too. With a movie like “Bull Durham,” with a damn near perfect script, it’s impossible to break it down to individual lines, and this is one of the most iconic scenes ever in a baseball movie. 

20. ‘Million Dollar Arm’: “Baseball is very hard.”

The setup: The two kids from India won a contest and are in Southern California trying to refine their pitching skills to the point where they can get a tryout with an MLB team. But they’d never even played baseball until a few months ago, and it’s been a challenge. In a moment of honesty with Ms. Brenda, as they call her, Dinesh Patel says …

Dinesh: “Baseball is very hard.”

Why it’s the best: The movie has its moments, good and bad. More good than bad, though, and this is one of the good ones. 

19. ‘Major League’: “Win the whole f—in’ thing.”

The setup: Manager Lou Brown has just told the team that the owner, Rachel Phelps, picked this team because she thought it would be awful, and that the players would all be released or traded after the season. The clubhouse is deflated. Hope is on the precipice of being lost. Jake Taylor, the veteran catcher, stands up.

Taylor: “Well, then, I guess there’s only one thing left to do.”  Roger Dorn: “What’s that?” Taylor: “Win the whole f—in’ thing.”

Why it’s the best: Makes you want to run through a brick wall, doesn’t it? 

18. ‘Eight Men Out’: “Damn, if you don’t feel like you’re going to live forever.”

The setup: The Black Sox trial is happening, and it’s close to the end. Buck Weaver’s walking down the street after court and a couple kids ask him what’s going to happen. Buck’s clearly contemplated the potential of the verdict going against him and his teammates.

“I still get such a bang out of it, playing ball. Same as I did when I first come up. You get out there and the stands are full and everybody’s cheering. It’s like everybody in the world has come to see you. Inside that, there’s players, and they’re yakking it up. The pitcher throws and you look for that pill and suddenly there's nothing else in the ballpark but you and him. And sometimes, when you’re feeling right, there’s a groove there and the bat just eases into it and meets that ball. And when the bat meets that ball and you can feel the ball just give, you know it’s going to go a long way. Damn, if you don't feel like you’re going to live forever. I couldn’t give that up. Not for nothing.” 

Why it’s the best: Narrator: Buck did have to give it up. But that’s one hell of a speech.

17. ‘Rookie of the Year’: “Pitcher’s got a big butt!”

The setup: As you know, 12-year-old Henry Runamucker … Rulenfurter … Rowengartner is in the bigs with the Cubs because his broken arm healed in a way that gave him an unhittable fastball. He’s on first base, taunting the Dodgers’ hurler.

Henry: “Hey, pitcher pitcher pitcher pitcher …” (Pitcher looks over, annoyed) Henry: “Pitcher’s got a big butt! Pitcher's got a big butt! Pitcher’s got a big butt!” (Pitcher throws over, but it’s wild, and Henry runs to second base)

Why it’s the best: Every kid who played little league baseball did some sort of sing-songy chant on the field, and, yeah, it’s fun to see in a big league game, even in a movie.

16. ‘Field of Dreams’: “People will come, Ray.”

The setup: Ray Kinsela is facing foreclosure on his farm, with his super annoying brother-in-law Mark, trying to force him to sign papers. Terence Mann is about to give a speech, which is here (I cut out the Mark dialogue because screw that guy).

Mann: “Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you look around,” you’ll say. “It’s only twenty dollars per person.” They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game, and it’ll be as if they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. “People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game — it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. “Ohhhhhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”

Why it’s the best: I swear, the crunch of the gravel as Mann walks out toward the field during his speech, combined with the swelling and slowly rising music … chills every friggin’ time. 

MORE: The 10 most-inspiring sports-movie soundtracks of all time

15. ‘Moneyball’: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

The setup: Analytics guru Peter Brand is showing A’s GM Billy Beane video of 240-pound catcher Jeremy Brown hitting a home run, but stumbling over first base. He didn’t know the ball went 60 feet over the fence.

Brand: “He’d hit a home run, and he didn’t even realize it.” Beane watches the video again, as opposing players cheer on Brown and he pumps his fist as he gets near home plate. Beane: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

Why it’s the best: It’s not even that the scene itself is amazing, but that line? Every baseball fan has watched something magical happen on the field, either in the stands or at home, and felt that same thing. Indeed, how can you not be romantic about baseball? 

14. ‘For Love of the Game’: “… give us one more day of summer.”

The setup: Billy Chapel is deep into his perfect game. Vin Scully is on the play-by-play call, and he’s brilliant, as always. 

“You know, Steve, you get the feeling that Billy Chapel isn’t pitching against left-handers, he isn’t pitching against pinch-hitters, he isn’t pitching against the Yankees. He’s pitching against time. He’s pitching against the future, against age, and even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight, I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time, to push the sun back up in the sky and give us one more day of summer.”

Why it’s the best: I got chills typing this out. People love to hate this movie, for some reason, but it’s pretty solid. Scully puts it over the top. 

13. ‘The Natural’: “God, I love baseball.”

The setup: Do you really need any? I mean, the would-be hero who had baseball taken away from him says …

Hobbs: “God, I love baseball.”

Why it’s the best: Because, y’know, we love baseball.

12. ‘The Rookie’: “You tell me right now, Jimmy Morris.”

The setup: High school baseball coach-turned-minor league pitcher Jim Morris is in the minor leagues, and it’s been an up-and-down experience. Being apart from his family and his town (Big Lake, Texas) has been tough, on the pitcher and his family. But then, he got the news he was being called up to the majors and was meeting the team in Arlington to play the Rangers. That led to the phone call he’d waited a long time to make, one with his wife, Lorri.

Jim: “Do you know that blue sport coat that i never wear.” Lorri: “Hang on a sec, hon, I’m boiling over. Now, what about the blue sport coat you never wear?” Jim: “Would you mind bringing it to Arlington tomorrow.” Lorri: “Arlington? I thought you were — You tell me right now, Jimmy Morris.” Jim: “Apparently, there’s a dress code in the major leagues. Lorri?” Lorri: “Yeah, I’m here (laughs).” Jim: “They’re flying me out in an hour. Can you tell everybody?” Lorri: “Sure, there’s just one person you have to tell first.”

Why it’s the best: When Lorris pauses, then spits out, “You tell me right now, Jimmy Morris” and he gets to tell her his dream’s coming true, well that just tugs at all the heartstrings. Then when he tells his boy and has to explain what a Devil Ray is, yeah, that’s the good stuff. 

11. ‘The Bad News Bears’: “Hey Yankees, take your apology …”

The setup: The Yankees have won the championship, but in a show of sportsmanship, they apologize for being jerks to the Bears all year and give them a cheer. It’s bordering on a touching moment for a movie without much of that. 

Tanner Boyle: “Hey Yankees! You can take your apology and your trophy and shove is straight up your ass!” Timmy Lupus: “And another thing, just wait ’til next year.”

Why it’s the best: Defiant — and resilient — to the very end. A perfect encapsulation of Coach Buttermaker’s Bears. 

10. ‘The Natural’: “Pick me out a winner, Bobby.” 

The setup: Two strikes. Thunder and lightning in the background. Game on the line. An 0-2 count. Worst of all, Roy Hobbs’ bat, Wonderboy, just shattered on a long foul ball. The batboy picks up the pieces and hands them to Hobbs, who looks devastated. He regroups, sets his resolve and says … 

Hobbs: “Go pick me out a winner, Bobby.” Bobby: “OK.”

Why it’s the best: Bobby picks up the Savoy Special and runs it back to home plate. Hobbs grabs some dirt, grips the bat and, well, you know what happens. The batboy smiles as Hobbs rounds the bases. Job well done, kiddo. 

9. ‘Field of Dreams’: “Hey dad? You wanna have a catch?”

The setup: Ray Kinsela and his father, John, are talking after the game. Everyone else is gone. John’s return, from the corn field, is what this movie has been building toward. John asks if this is heaven. Ray tells him it’s Iowa. They talk about everything other than what actually matters to Ray, that moment of connection with a father he battled his whole life, both while he was alive and after he died. They shake hands and John walks back toward the cornfield. Rays says, “Goodnight, John.” Will the unresolved stay unresolved? 

Ray: “Hey dad? You wanna have a catch?” John: “I’d like that.”

Why it’s the best: Go call your dad. Right damn now. 

8. ‘Bull Durham’: “… the Church of Baseball.”

The setup: Annie Savoy’s narration at the beginning of the movie is just fantastic. Brilliant, even. Sets the stage for the next couple of hours. 

Annie, voiceover: “I’ve tried them all, I really have. And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in and day out, is the church of baseball.” 

Why it’s the best: This line’s my favorite from Annie's opening voiceover.

7. ‘A League of Their Own’: “There’s no crying in baseball!”

The setup: Manager Jimmy Dugan finally starting to care about winning again, but he’s still pretty rough around the edges as a manager, dealing with the players. A throwing mistake by one of his outfielders, Evelyn Gardner, got under his skin. 

Jimmy: “Say, Evelyn. Can I ask you a question? You got a moment? Which team do you play for?” Evelyn: “Well, I’m a Peach.” Jimmy: “Well, I was just wondering. Because I couldn’t figure out why you would throw home when we’ve got a two-run lead. You let the tying run get on second and we lost the lead because of you. Now you start using your head. That’s the lump that’s three feet above your ass.” (Evelyn starts crying) Jimmy: “Are you crying?” Evelyn: “No.” (crying) Jimmy: “Are you crying?”  Evelyn: “There’s no crying! There’s no crying in baseball!” Doris Murphy: “Why don’t you leave her alone, Jimmy?” Jimmy: “Oh, you zip it Doris. Rogers Hornsby was my manager, and he called me a talking pile of pig s—, and that was when my parents drove all the way down from Michigan to see me play the game. And did I cry?”  Evelyn: “No, no.” Jimmy: “No. No. And you know why?”  Evelyn: “No.” Jimmy: “Because there’s no crying in baseball. There’s no crying in baseball. No crying!” 

Why it’s the best: Honestly, if I did this again next month, this might be No. 1. 

6. ‘Major League’: “This guy here is dead.”

The setup: In the conference room, front-office types in suits are looking over the list of spring training invitees handed out by owner Rachel Phelps.

Executive: “This guy here is dead.” Phelps: “Cross him off, then.”

Why it’s the best: Pretty much anytime anything has needed to be crossed off any list since I first saw this movie, I said it just like Rachel Phelps. Also, the other great line from this scene:  

Executive: “I’ve never heard of half of these guys, and the ones I do know are way past their prime.” GM Charlie Donovan: “Most of these guys never had a prime.”

Amazing. 

5. ‘Moneyball’: “It’s incredibly hard.”

The setup: Oakland GM Billy Beane visits free agent Scott Hatteberg, bringing coach Ron Washington with him. Hatteberg’s shoulder is shot, and the market for a catcher who can’t throw the baseball is not, as you can imagine, strong. But Hatteberg represents an opportunity for Beane to find offensive value where other teams are not looking. 

Beane: “The good news is, we want you at first. We want you to play first base for the Oakland A’s." Hatteberg: “OK, well ... I've only ever played catcher.” Beane: “Scott, you're not a catcher anymore. If you were, our call wouldn't have been the only call you got when your contract expired.”  Hatteberg: “Yeah, hey, listen, no, I appreciate it.”  Beane: “You're welcome.” Hatteberg: “But the thing is, uh …" Beane: “You don't know how to play first base.” Hatteberg: “That's right.”  Scott, it's not that hard, Scott. Tell him, Wash.”  Washington: “It’s incredibly hard.”  Beane: “Hey, anything worth doing is. And we're going to teach you.” Hatteberg: “Wait a minute here, I mean, what about …" Beane: “Jason's gone, Scott.”  Hatteberg: “You want me to take Giambi's spot at first base?”  Beane: “Yep.” Hatteberg: “What about the fans?” Washington: “Yeah, maybe I can teach one of them.” Beane: “Good one. The fans don't run my ballclub.”

Why it’s the best: I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched this scene on YouTube, and I laugh out loud every single time when Wash said, “Yeah, maybe I can teach one of them.” It’s the one of the best deadpan deliveries I’ve ever seen in a movie. 

4. ‘The Sandlot’: “You’re killing me, Smalls!”

The setup: The boys are having a campout in the tree house to tell Smalls the story of The Beast. But first, a kid’s gotta eat. 

Ham: “Hey, you want a S’more?” Smalls: “Some more what?” Ham: “No, no. You want a S’more?” Smalls: “I haven’t had anything yet, so how can I have some more of nothing?” Ham: “You’re killing me, Smalls!”

Why it’s the best: This might have made the list just for the S’mores exchange, but it’s No. 1 because it’s the first — and best — time that iconic line, “You’re killing me, Smalls!” is uttered. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve used that line, I could buy all the 98-cent baseballs I wanted. 

3. ‘Major League’: “Juuuust a bit outside.”

The setup: Ricky Vaughn makes his big league debut, and the team’s play-by-play announcer, Harry Doyle, is there for the narration. 

Doyle: “Vaughn into the wind up, and his first offering … juuuust a bit outside. He tried the corner and missed.” Doyle: “Ball four.” Doyle: “Ball eight.” Doyle: “Low, and Vaughn has walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. Boy, how can these guys lay off pitches that close?”

Why it’s the best: The “juuuust a bit outside” part is probably the most iconic line in the entire movie. To me, though? It’s the “tried the corner and missed” part — on a pitch that was about three feet off the plate — that’s makes it a contender for No. 1. 

2. ‘Bull Durham’: “Lollygaggers!”

The setup: The Bulls are playing crummy baseball. Crash Davis tells the manager that the way to get the players’ attention is to scare ’em. They’re just kids. So Skip throws a bunch of baseball bats into the shower and screams at everyone to get in there. 

Skip: “You guy, you lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry?” Larry: “Lollygaggers.” Skip: “Lollygaggers! What’s our record, Larry?” Larry: “Eight and 16.” Skip: “Eight and 16. How’d we ever win eight?”  Larry: “It’s a miracle.” Skip: “It’s a miracle. This is a simple game. You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. You got it. Now we have got a 12-day road trip starting tomorrow. Bus leaves six in the morning.” 

Why it’s the best: Oh, man. So many classic lines in one short scene. Lollygaggers! It’s a simple game! It’s a miracle! Watch/repeat. Just like the whole entire movie. 

1. ‘A League of Their Own’: “The hard is what makes it great.”

The setup: Star catcher Dottie Hinson’s husband is back from the war, and she’s leaving right before the start of the World Series. Jimmy Dugan, the manager, isn’t happy. 

Jimmy: “You know, I really thought you were a ballplayer.” Dottie: “Well, you were wrong.” Jimmy: “Was I?” Dottie: “Yeah. It is only a game, Jimmy. It's only a game, and I don't need this. I have Bob, I don't need this. I don’t.” Jimmy: “I gave away five years at the end of my career to drinking. Five years. And now there isn't anything I wouldn't give to get back any one day of it.”  Dottie: “Well, we're different.” Jimmy: “That's chicken-shit, Dottie. You want to go back home to Oregon and make 100 babies, great, I'm in no position to tell anyone how to live. But sneaking out like this, quitting? You'll regret it for the rest of your life. Baseball is what gets inside you. It’s what lights you up. You can’t deny that.” Dottie: “It just got too hard.”  Jimmy: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” 

Why it’s the best: The hard, indeed, is what makes it great. 

Ryan Fagan, the national MLB writer for The Sporting News, has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2016. He also dabbles in college hoops and other sports. And, yeah, he has way too many junk wax baseball cards.

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The Most Inspirational Baseball Quotes of All-Time

These inspiring baseball quotes will motivate you to play like a Hall of Famer in one of the most difficult mental sports on earth.

These inspirational baseball quotes will prepare you for the ups and downs of America’s pastime.

The 162-game season is a grind – requiring toughness and perseverance. And the sport isn’t easy.

As Ted Williams once said, “The hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat, squarely.”

From Little League to the majors, any ballplayer will tell you it’s a mental game. Whether you’re a hitter or pitcher, manager or assistant coach, there’s always more to learn.

Luckily, the following inspiring quotes contain wisdom from generations past that will help you navigate the challenges of the sport.

Table of Contents

Inspirational Baseball Quotes

Motivational baseball quotes, baseball quotes about life, short baseball quotes.

“That’s the beautiful thing about baseball. You can be any size and be successful.” – Andrew Benintendi

“I played my best every day. You never know when someone may be seeing you play for the first time.” – Joe DiMaggio

“It’s not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career.” – Carlton Fisk

“During my 18 years, I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at-bats a season. That means I played 7 years without ever hitting the ball.” – Mickey Mantle

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth

“The best pitchers have a short-term memory and a bulletproof confidence.” – Greg Maddux

“People out there said I was too small. It’s those kinds of moments that pushed me to be where I’m at right now.” – Tim Lincecum

“Why does everyone talk about the past? All that counts is tomorrow’s game.” – Roberto Clemente

“You may not think you’re going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.” – Hank Aaron

“Baseball is such a tough game, it really humbles you at times, you just have to try not to get too high or too low.” –  Chase Utley

“You can’t get real happy or real depressed when you play baseball. Baseball is a great sport in that it offers a player a lot of opportunities for atonement.” – Mike Piazza

“Competing at the highest level is not about winning. It’s about preparation, courage, understanding, and nurturing your people , and heart. Winning is the result.” – Joe Torre

“Close don’t count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and grenades.” – Frank Robinson

“I feel that the most important requirement in success is learning to overcome failure. You must learn to tolerate it, but never accept it.” – Reggie Jackson

“When you’ve learned to believe in yourself, there’s no telling how good a player you can be. That’s because you have the mental edge.” – Rod Karew

“Play this game like the 8-year-old you used to be, dreaming to play in the show. Heart, passion, and fire! Remember where you came from .” – Bryce Harper

“I was told I would never make it because I’m too short. Well, I’m still too short, but I’ve got 10 All-Star games, two World Series championships, and I’m a very happy and contented guy. It doesn’t matter what your height is, it’s what’s in your heart.” – Kirby Puckett

“I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.” – Pete Rose

“If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.” –  Rickey Henderson

“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something .” – Nolan Ryan

“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson

“It’s a game, and that’s how I am going to treat it.” – Ken Griffey Jr.

“There is no time to fool around when you practice. Every drill must have a purpose.” – Albert Pujols

“In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics you get shortsighted; if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” – Tom Seaver

“I don’t fraternize with players when it’s time to hit. I’m preparing for the game. It’s the most important time of the day.” – Albert Belle

“Whenever I get into a tough situation…I think of growing up, and I say, ‘This situation won’t be the worst one I’ve ever been in.” – Billy Wagner

“Nobody wanted me. Scouts told me to go to school, to forget baseball. Coaches said, ‘You’re never going to make it.’ I appreciated their honesty because I think when someone tells you something you may not like, you have to use that as fuel for motivation.” – Mike Piazza

“A winner is somebody who goes out there every day and exhausts himself trying to get something accomplished.” – Joe Torre

“If you’re not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he’ll be ready to take your job.” – Brooks Robinson

“I like to be against the odds. I’m not afraid to be lonely at the top.” – Barry Bonds

“Winning depends on where you put your priorities. It’s usually best to put them over the fence.” – Jason Giambi

“ Slumps are like a soft bed. They’re easy to get into and hard to get out of.” – Johnny Bench

“Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it’s because you’ve started to think of failure.” – Tommy Lasorda

“Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher.” – Ty Cobb

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“Never allow the circumstances of your life to become an excuse. People will allow you to do it. But I believe we have a personal obligation to make the most of the abilities we have.” – Jim Abbott

“In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment and having the courage to take your best swing.” – Hank Aaron

“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.” – Bob Feller

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” – Yogi Berra

“To succeed in baseball, as in life, you must make adjustments.” – Ken Griffey Jr.

“Baseball is a game of the soul.” – Pedro Martinez

“I want people to expect more from me because I expect more. If you don’t set goals high, you’re not trying.” – Todd Helton

“You don’t need to have a perfect ending to be happy.” – Prince Fielder

“You should seek approval from yourself.” – Ichiro Suzuki

“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.” – Roberto Clemente

“Load up your mind with pictures capturing your preferred tomorrow. Put the remembrances of the past in a place where they won’t block your view.” – Gary Carter

“I can’t stand satisfaction. To me, greatness comes from that quest for perfection.” – Mike Schmidt

“Don’t ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure.” – Joe Maddon

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life.” – Wade Boggs

“You’ve gotta find a way to get out of your own way, so you can progress in life.” – Steve Carlton

“Luck is the by-product of busting your fanny.” – Don Sutton

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“Hustle is just playing the game right.” – Jimmy Rollins

“There are only two seasons – winter and baseball.” – Bill Veeck

“Work hard and have patience.” – Randy Johnson

“Never give up. Don’t cave.”  – Jim “The Rookie” Morris

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” – Yogi Berra

“Pitching is the art of instilling fear.” – Sandy Koufax

“Don’t try to be a hero. Try to be a winner.” – George Brett

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth

“You either get better or you get worse. Those are the only two options.” – Max Scherzer

“If you expect greatness, greatness shouldn’t surprise you.” – Justin Verlander

“Good is not good when better is expected.” – Vin Scully

“I didn’t realize how much I loved the game until I couldn’t play it.” – Mark Teixeira

“Winning isn’t everything. Wanting to is.” – Catfish Hunter

“If you don’t have dreams, you don’t have a life.” – Bryce Harper

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A List of 10 Greatest Sports Speeches of All Time

By: sven eggers, staff writer june 17, 2022.

What’s the main purpose of speeches in sports? In most cases, speeches are given to boost motivation. This is an effective tool that can lift spirits and improve mood, inspiring sports people to win no matter how big the price is.

How sports speeches work

First of all, sports speeches change your perspective. They alter the way you approach certain issues and offer a different way of seeing things. After listening to a powerful speech, you can transform hurdles into challenges.

What’s more, it’s a proven fact that a nice speech may improve task performance. Why? Because motivation determines the quality of your work, according to psychologists. On top of that, a speech can provide you with real-life examples and tips that can improve how well you operate.

A good speech can also reduce your fears in sports. You might know that feeling when you are afraid of doing something new and being more open-minded. If you want to change that, listen to a motivational speech given by somebody who managed to overcome their fears. Someone’s successful experience can make your life way easier.

Where to find great speeches?

Today, the Internet is full of amazing speeches on different topics. You can read them in online magazines or watch them on YouTube. Depending on your goal, you can find a nice speech on special websites or even order speech writing services tailored for your tone from professional writers. Luckily, there are a lot of experts that offer speeches crafted according to your needs. Maybe, words formulated by an experienced writer will change something in you and you’ll achieve greater success in what you do.

The greatest sports speeches

Below, you can find the best speeches on sports in history. Check them to get more inspiration!

1. Apollos Hester’s Postgame Interview

Apollos Hester is admired by many for his incredible speed and agility. However, those are not the main features of this sportsman. Apollos is also known for his optimistic attitude. He believes in life’s limitless potential, which helps them give amazing motivational speeches.

2. Dave Belisle’s Little League World Series Speech

In his famous speech, Dave Belisle literally gave a masterclass on how to handle disappointment. His words turned listeners’ tears of sadness into tears of joy. For sure, he knows how to help people keep their “heads up high.”

3. Darrel Green’s NFL Hall of Fame Speech

If you want to learn acceptance, you should listen to the speech of Darrel Green given at the NFL Hall of Fame. Many people remember it as one of the most passionate speeches of all time. What’s more, it is full of excellent advice.

4. Kevin Durant’s MVP Speech

Another beautiful and touching motivational speech was given by Kevin Durant at the 2013–14 NBA MVP. He acknowledged all the hard work and sacrifices he endured on his way to success. Durant also credited all the people, including friends, coaches and, who helped him a lot along the way.

5. Jim Valvano’s ESPY Awards Speech

As you know, sports can teach life’s greatest lessons. And Jim Valvano believes in that too, according to his 19943 speech at the first ESPY Awards. In his speech, Valvano gives simple yet wise tips for a fulfilling life: laugh, think, and cry every day. That’s it! And many people believe it really works.

6. Tony Romo’s Press Conference About Dak Prescott

Unfortunately, life was not kind to Tony Romo as he had a serious back injury that resulted in lots of missed time. Even though he lost his dream job of an NFL quarterback, Romo handled it with grace. Instead of complaining about his problems, he is grateful to people for their help.

7. Tony Arcuri’s Speech

Another legendary speech was given by a famous coach Tony Arcuri to the high school football team. His aim was to give a bunch of important lessons to teenagers and he did it quite successfully. Thanks to Arcuri, many players overcame their fear of strong opponents.

8. Drew Brees’ Speech

After breaking Dan Marino’s record in 2011, Drew Brees gave a powerful speech. It motivated not only his teammates but also coaches. It was not only incredibly inspiring but also quite humorous. Check it yourself!

9. Muhammad Ali’s Speeches

Even if you are not familiar with the world, you’ve certainly heard Muhammad Ali ’s quotes, His words inspire millions of people all over the world, making him a star. Muhammad Ali is almost unbeatable when it comes to motivational speaking.

10. Michael Irvin’s Speeches

Michael Irvin, a former NFL wide receiver, was not only a highly professional player but also a great public speaker. He is known for his openness and honesty that are rare in the sports industry. If you feel you can’t keep going towards your goal, remember his words: "Look up, get up, and don't ever give up.”

Author’s BIO

Sven Eggers is a sports coach and motivational speaker. He works mainly with college students, helping them prepare for local and national competitions. Sven has a talent for writing motivational speeches, so he does it for top athletes all over the world.

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With honors: Best Hall of Fame induction speeches

From Canton to Cooperstown to Springfield, the Hall of Fame honors the elite in football, baseball, and basketball. And on induction day, heartfelt speeches are given, typically to thank those most influential to the inductees.

While some speeches take a more serious tone, just about all of them are sure to include a knee-slapper or two. But, like athletes, some Hall of Fame speeches simply rise above the rest.

And here are the finest, including the one by Brett Favre in 2016.

Walter Payton (1993)

Speech summary : Payton talked about how football is a team game and that it takes everyone on the team to make a Hall of Famer. He was emotional as he apologized to his wife and children for not always being there for them while he was playing and said he was motivated to make sure their lives would always be happy and fulfilled. He finished his speech by saying that everyone is a role model in our lives, whether positive or negative, and that we can learn something from everyone. He was introduced by his 12-year-old son Jarrett, the youngest presenter ever.

Memorable quote : "I am going to close by saying life is short, it is oh so sweet. There are a lot of people that we meet as we walk through these hallowed halls, but the things that mean the most are the friendships that you meet and take along with you."

Funniest line : "When I was growing up, I was the baby, and when they [Payton's brother and sister] had to clean the house on Saturdays and do things when Mom went to work and said, 'I want this house clean when I get back,' hey, I was the baby, I didn't have to do that. So these guys beat me up. That's the reason why I had the moves that I did, because when you have an angry sister and angry brother chasing you with a broom and a wet dish rag, you tend to pick up moves you never had before."

Deion Sanders (2011)

Speech summary : Sanders thanked everyone from his former coaches to Jerry Jones to Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. He explained how much football taught him, including how to be a man. His speech was a touching tribute to his mother, the inspiration for "Prime Time" and his drive for everything he did on the field. He said that he was inspired to make enough money so that his mother would never have to work again.

Memorable quote : "I don't know if you figured it out by now, but I just gave you Prime. I just gave you the formula in who was really standing before you because I was trick or treating, and it wasn't even Halloween. Because all the things that you really thought I was, and some of the things you didn't like, you didn't love, you didn't want to accept, I was doing it for my mama."

Funniest line : "And I said, 'Mama' -- because I was tired of seeing her go to work and come home all tired -- I said, 'I'm going to be rich one day. Mama, I'm going to make a lot of money, and you will never have to work another day of your life.' My mama said, 'That's fine, but until then, you get that lawnmower and go out there and cut that grass.'"

Shannon Sharpe (2011)

Speech summary : Sharpe dedicated a large portion of his speech to his older brother, Sterling, even saying he hoped the Hall voters would consider his accomplishments next time they voted. Sharpe also talked a lot about his grandmother and grandfather raising him and how much they meant to him. He said that growing up poor drove him to want to be able to provide a better life for his family, and that determination, dedication and discipline were key.

Memorable quote : "My big brother, Sterling, I'm the only player of 267 men that's walked through this building to my left that can honestly say this: I'm the only pro football player that's in the Hall of Fame, and I'm the second-best player in my own family."

Funniest line : "John [Elway] had never heard of Shannon Sharpe or Savannah State, but not only did he embrace me, he chose me as his go-to guy. In my first game starting at tight end, they put me in motion the entire game. As I would motion past John, he would turn around and tell me what I had to do -- block the end, block the linebacker, run the out, run a corner. We won the game. I'm standing on the sideline, and I can see John walking toward me. Instead of being angry and upset with me, he walks up to me and he says, 'I think next week we need to learn the plays.' Thanks, John, for teaching me how to be a pro."

Curtis Martin (2012)

Speech summary : Martin spoke about his tough childhood and how he was so grateful to his mother for all the sacrifices she made for him. He admitted that he never really wanted to play football but knew that he was playing for a bigger purpose than himself. He said that it's not what you achieve that matters the most, but the person you become that is most important.

Memorable quote : "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. I turned around and said, 'I don't want to play football. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it.' My pastor at the time was a guy by the name of Leroy Joseph, and I'm so glad he was there to talk some sense into me. He says, 'Curtis, look at it this way, man.' He said, 'Maybe football is just something that God is giving you to do all those wonderful things that you say you want to do for other people.' I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head. That became my connection with football. I don't know if he wouldn't have said that to me if football would have gotten out of me what it got out of me. I definitely wouldn't be standing here. And ever since he said that, I knew the only way I was going to be successful at this game called football was if I played for a purpose that was bigger than the game itself, because I knew that the love for the game just wasn't in my heart."

Funniest line : "We're playing the Raiders one day. My fullbacks knew the rule was if you see me lying on the ground because I usually pop right back up after I get hurt; if you see me laying on the ground, I'm probably dazed or knocked out or something. Come pick me up and shake me. So we're playing the Raiders and I get hit downfield. I pop up, but I realize everything is black. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm kind of knocked out. So I'm trying to hold on to people. I finally make my way back to the huddle. I'm standing in the huddle for a while, and I just have my hands on my hip. The guy turns around and he says, 'What are you doing?' And I, like, looked again. I was in the Raiders' huddle. I thought that I was just, I thought that it was just black because I hadn't come to yet. But I was in the Raiders' huddle."

Brett Favre (2016)

Speech summary : Favre thanked all of his family members, coaches and teammates, paying many compliments to his wife, Deanna, who introduced him. He explained that his reason for wanting to make the Hall of Fame was to honor his father and acknowledge how important he was in his life. Favre said how much he loved playing football and that he didn't have any regrets.

Memorable quote : "So a new goal had entered into my mind then and there, and I said to myself, 'I will make it to the Hall of Fame; that I would make it to the Hall of Fame so I could acknowledge the fact of how important he [Favre's father] was.' This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you. So I could acknowledge the importance of him and in my career and my life, which he was a tremendous part of my life. He taught me toughness. Boy, did he teach me toughness. Trust me, there was no room for crybabies in our house. He taught me teamwork, and by all means no player was ever more important than the team. ... So then and there in that moment on that plane, I was determined for selfish reasons to get to this point to acknowledge how important he was. I would not be here before you today without my father. There is no doubt whatsoever."

Funniest line : "My mother-in-law who for 33, 34 years has been by far my biggest fan. I have never thrown an interception that has been my fault, according to my mother-in-law, Ann."

Honorable Mention : Michael Irvin (2007) ; Mike Ditka (1988) ; Mike Singletary (1998) ; Joe Montana (2000) ; John Elway (2004) ; Jerry Rice (2010) ; Cris Carter (2013) ; Jerome Bettis (2015) ; LaDainian Tomlinson (2017)

Ted Williams (1966)

Speech summary: Williams is known for advocating for Negro League players to be included in the Hall of Fame during his speech. He spoke about how hard work, not luck, leads to success. He also reflected on how fortunate he was to play the greatest game and the game he loved -- baseball.

Memorable quote: "I hope that someday the names of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson in some way could be added as a symbol of the great Negro players that are not here only because they were not given the chance."

Funniest line: "I'm awfully glad to be with him [Casey Stengel] on his big day. I also know I'll lose a dear friend if I don't stop talking 'cause I know I'm eating into his time."

Bob Uecker (2003)

Speech summary: Uecker mixed in plenty of jokes, telling his story from birth to becoming a baseball player to making a career in the Brewers' broadcast booth. He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Although he was honored for his broadcasting career, he joked that he should have gone into the Hall for his accomplishments as a player.

Memorable quote: "And to all of you baseball fans around America and any place else, for your letters, your thoughts, your kindness, for all of these years, it's been a great run, but No. 1 has always been baseball for me. No matter what else I ever did, baseball was the only way I ever wanted to go."

Funniest line: "I did not have a lot of ability as a kid, and my dad wanted me to have everything that everybody else had. I think the first thing that he ever bought me was a football. And I was very young. He didn't know a lot about it, he came from the old country. I mean, we tried to pass it and throw it and kick it, and we couldn't do it. And it was very discouraging for him and for me. Almost, we almost quit. And finally we had a nice enough neighbor came over and put some air in it, and what a difference."

Dennis Eckersley (2004)

Speech summary: Eckersley gave an emotional speech, talking about overcoming alcohol addiction and his demons and thanking those who helped him along his journey. He also reminisced about how he enjoyed playing at iconic stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.

Memorable quote: "I knew I had come to a crossroads in my life. With the grace of God, I got sober and I saved my life. I was a new man, a renewed man. It took a great deal of acceptance to come to terms with being an alcoholic, but acceptance was the key to my sobriety. If I had not gained acceptance at that time in my life, I would not be standing here today. My career would not have taken me this far."

Funniest line: "There's no place like Wrigley Field. Great place to hit. Bad place to pitch. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it."

Rickey Henderson (2009)

Speech summary: Henderson talked about how his dream was originally to play football for the Raiders, saying he was "tricked" into getting out of bed with doughnuts and hot chocolate to go play baseball. He also said his high school counselor encouraged him to play baseball, promising him a quarter for each hit, run scored or stolen base. Henderson thanked everyone, including his minor league coach who helped him develop his baserunning and sliding skills, and said he was very humbled to be entering the Hall.

Memorable quote: "When you think of me, I would like you to remember that kid from the inner city that played the game with all his heart and never took the game for granted. Thanks everyone here for making my dream come true today."

Funniest line: "As a kid growing up in Oakland, my heroes were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson. What about that Reggie Jackson? I stand out on the ballpark in the parking lot waiting for Reggie Jackson to give me a[n] autograph. Reggie used to come out all the time and I'd say, 'Reggie, can I have a[n] autograph?' He would pass me a pen with his name on it. He never gave me a[n] autograph."

Ken Griffey Jr. (2016)

Speech summary: Griffey thanked all the members of his family individually and paid a touching tribute to his dad, noting some of the father-son feats they accomplished, including hitting back-to-back home runs. He talked about being a 19-year-old in the majors surrounded by famous players who were like big brothers to him and who took care of him. Griffey concluded by saying that even if he made it look easy, he worked hard and that he was very proud to be a Mariner.

Memorable quote: "To my dad, who taught me how to play this game, but more importantly he taught me how to be a man. How to work hard, how to look at yourself in the mirror each and every day, and not to worry about what other people are doing. See, baseball didn't come easy for him. He was the 29th-round pick and had to choose between football and baseball. And where he's from in Donora, Pennsylvania, football is king. But I was born five months after his senior year, and he made a decision to play baseball to provide for his family, because that's what men do. And I love you for that."

Funniest line: "Trey (Griffey's son), you're my little man, my partner in crime. And one day, sitting there on the couch, you took a bat and hit the TV. And your mom got mad at you and then got mad at me and asked me why I was not mad, and I said, 'Girl, you can't teach that swing.' So I got up and bought a new TV."

Honorable mention: Kirby Puckett (2001) ; Hank Aaron (1982) ; Billy Williams (1987) ; Tommy Lasorda (1997) ; Ryne Sandberg (2005) ; Cal Ripken Jr. (2007) ; Andre Dawson (2010) ; Pudge Rodriguez (2017) ; Bert Blyleven (2011)

Michael Jordan (2009)

Speech summary: This speech is famous for a couple of unorthodox reasons. The tone of the speech was more competitive than your typical Hall of Fame speech, as Jordan detailed some testy incidents with coaches and front-office personnel (namely former Bulls GM Jerry Krause) in which he was "correct." It also was the source of the "Crying Jordan meme," which has been used on social media incessantly over the past few years.

Memorable quote: "[Krause] said, 'Organizations win championships.' I said, 'I didn't see organizations playing with the flu in Utah, I didn't see them playing with a bad ankle.' Granted, I think organizations put together teams, but at the end of the day, the team has to go out and play."

Funniest line: "Bryon Russell came over to me and said, 'You know what, man, why'd you quit? Why'd you quit? You know I could guard you. If I ever seen you in a pair of shorts, if I ever see you in a pair of shorts.' ... So when I decided to come back in 1995 and we played Utah in '96, I'm at the center circle and Bryon Russell is sitting next to me, and I look over to Bryon and I said, 'Do you remember this conversation in 1994, or when you said, 'I think I can guard you, I think I can shut you down, and I would love to play against you? Well, you're about to get your chance.'"

Dennis Rodman (2011)

Speech summary: Emotion fueled Rodman during his playing career, so it was no surprise that his Hall of Fame speech was emotional and scattered at times. Rodman intertwined thanks to teammates and coaches in his career to being hard on himself for many of the choices he made, repenting to his mother, wife and children for not being a better son, husband and father. Rodman used his honor to help get closure on some things in his life.

Memorable quote: "You know, I could have been anywhere in the world. I could have been dead. I could have been a drug dealer. I could have been homeless -- I was homeless. And a lot of you guys here that's been here and a lot of you guys here in the Hall of Fame know what I'm talking about; living in the projects and trying to get out of the projects and, ah, I did that. But, but it took a lot of work and a lot of bumps -- bumps in the road."

Funniest line: "Phil Jackson asked me to come to Jerry Krause's house and he asked me, he said, 'Dennis, you know, we'd like you to come play, but you gotta do one thing for me, you gotta go into the kitchen and tell Scottie Pippen you're sorry.' I said, 'You know what? OK, I'll do that.' So he asked me another question: 'Dennis, would you like to be a Chicago Bull? I said, my exact words were, 'I don't give a damn.' And Phil Jackson said, 'Welcome to the Chicago Bulls.'"

Reggie Miller (2012)

Speech summary: Known for being brash during his 18-year career with the Pacers, Miller was quite humble in his speech, as he went out of his way to credit his teammates and coaches, along with being gracious toward opponents. Miller also went out of his way to praise his family, especially older sister Cheryl Miller -- a Hall of Famer herself and who is recognized as one of the top women to ever play basketball.

Memorable quote: "There's one lady that deserves the biggest recognition, probably, of everyone as to why I'm here. Cheryl, you've ... a lot of people wish that they could be in a house with the greatest of anything. I just so happened to live across the hall from absolutely, positively, the greatest women's basketball player ever. I am proud to say that I'm not on this stage if it wasn't for you, Cheryl."

Funniest line: "Greg Anthony, my compadre on NBA TV, I don't know if he's here or not, but I'm sure he'll get word of this. I gotta say it; in 1995, as you saw in the video, yeah, I pushed. I'm sorry. The ref didn't call it, I went with it. Like Magic [Johnson] says, 'By any means necessary.' So I apologize. I've never said that publicly. So, Greg, I shoved you and kept you down."

Allen Iverson (2016)

Speech summary: He wasn't talking about practice, man. Iverson delivered a memorable Hall of Fame speech, thanking everyone from his family to his coaches to his teammates to the fans -- and musicians Notorious B.I.G., Redman, Jadakiss, Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson. Iverson's speech had it all, and he delivered his address with compassion and humor as he took the audience on a trip through his entire life. The focus was supposed to be on him for his accomplishments in basketball, but he made it about everyone else and how they helped get him where he is.

Memorable quote: "You want to be fast like Isiah and you want to shoot like Bird, you know, rebound like Barkley, pass like Magic, be dominant like Shaq ... but, man, I wanted to be like Mike."

Funniest line: "I remember the first time I played against him [Michael Jordan], and um, I walked out on the court and I looked at him, and for the first time in my life a human being didn't look real to me. ... I don't know if y'all watching 'Chappelle's Show,' but he talked about a certain incident where he seen, somebody seen Rick James, and, like, I literally seen his aura. Like, it looked like he was glowing, and I'm sitting there and I'm saying to myself, like, 'Man, that's Mike.' And I'm looking at him, and I can't stop looking at him, like, I'm looking at his shoes, and I'm like, 'Man, he got on the Jordans.'"

Shaquille O'Neal (2016)

Speech summary: Humor was the prevailing theme in Shaq's speech. O'Neal flashed his famous grin throughout, joking about his Buick commercial where he had $3 million reasons to find a way to squeeze himself into the seat of the car and also thanking family, teammates, coaches, fans and even NBA commissioners while offering playful jabs along the way.

Memorable quote: ''My father, Sgt. Harrison, was a disciplinarian. He was firm, but fair. He realized that I was going to be a big guy, and I remember he made me memorize three names that he would quiz me on. In his eyes these three guys were gods of the game: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. ... I know Wilt and my father are in heaven smiling down upon us. If I know my father, he's up there arguing with Wilt Chamberlain right now, trying to convince him that his son is the most dominant big man that ever played the game.''

Funniest line: Thanking his teammates with the Lakers, Shaq saved the best for last. "Last but not least, the great Kobe Bryant, a guy that would push me. Kobe Bryant, a guy who would push me and help me win three titles, but who also helped me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami."

Honorable Mention: Charles Barkley (2006) ; David Robinson (2009) ; Oscar Schmidt (2013)

10 Most Inspiring Sports Movie Speeches of All-Time

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In practically every sport's movie, there comes a pivotal moment in the plot where a certain player, coach, or team needs to step up and make a passionate speech to inspire others. It's a necessity, and for many of these films it is the most memorable part.

RELATED: 10 Best Sports Movies to Watch if You Don't Like Sports

These speeches range from making you want to cry, to making you want top run through a wall. From Al Pacino 's "Inch by Inch" speech in Any Given Sunday (1999), to Rocky's emotional speech to his son in Rocky Balboa (2006), sports movies have some of the best speeches across film, and it makes them fun and iconic.

'D2: The Mighty Ducks, "Ducks fly together"

Gordon Bombay ( Emilio Estevez ) returns to Minnesota after a career ending injury with a chance to coach a United States team at the Junior Goodwill Games. He collects most of his previous Mighty Ducks squad, with a couple new additions. Bombay is not the same coach, frustrated with his own life, he runs the kids into the ground, and it effects their play.

Eventually, he is able to see what he is doing to the kids and gives a rousing speech during the championship game against Iceland, who beat them badly in the early part of the tournament. They swap out their Team USA sweaters for new Mighty Ducks ones and go on to win in a shootout.

'Remember the Titans' (2000), "You Blitz all night"

When the newly integrated Titans reach the State Semi-Finals, Coach Yoast ( Will Patton ), the former Head Coach, is told by the school board he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame once the Titans finally lose. This will also get Coach Boone ( Denzel Washington ) fired.

When the game starts, the refs are calling everything against the Titans, prompting Boone to lose his cool. It's obvious the game is rigged against them. Yoast recognizes what's happening, and rallies his defense, instructing them to "Blitz all night." In reality, not the best defensive scheme, but it works for the Titans, and this moment sends chills down your spine.

'Coach Carter' (2005), "Our deepest fear"

The only speech of these movies that has the player getting everyone else emotional. After Timo Cruz ( Rick Gonzalez ) is dismissed from the team and then reinstated, the team locks themselves in the gym with desks to prove to their coach that they can achieve the required grades to play.

Cruz drops an absolute gem of wisdom here, in an emotional speech in front of his teammates, and thanks Coach Carter ( Samuel L. Jackson ) for saving his life. "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." A lot of knowledge from a high school basketball player.

'Field of Dreams' (1989), "People will come"

After finally building the field, and having all these legendary baseball players, Ray ( Kevin Costner ) is pressured to sell his farm and the field, or the bank will foreclose him. His daughter Karin ( Gaby Hoffmann ) and Terence Mann ( James Earl Jones ) insist that people will come to watch.

Mann tells Ray that they'll be enthralled with recapturing their childhood innocence, and they won't think twice about handing over $20 to explore the grounds and take in a baseball game in the middle of Iowa. People love a good baseball game.

A League of Their Own (1992), "There's no crying in Baseball"

This isn't a very nice exchange, but it absolutely belongs on here. Jimmy Dugan ( Tom Hanks ), the broken alcoholic manager of the Peaches, really gets after Evelyn ( Bitty Schram ) when she makes a mistake on the field that gives the opponent the lead.

After he berates Evelyn, she starts to cry, which causes a mix of disgust and confusion in Dugan, prompting the line "There's no crying in Baseball!" Dugan then makes an inappropriate comment to the Umpire after he tells Dugan to treat the players like he'd treat his mother, which causes a big laugh for the Peaches and breaks the tension.

'Hoosiers' (1986), "I don't care what the scoreboard says"

Coach Dale's ( Gene Hackman ) pregame speech to the Hickory Huskers may be a bit cheesy, but it inspires young athletes to play for pride and as a team to this day. No matter how big and scary the opponent is or however long the odds are, you play for the person next to you.

It is a true movie moment that can resonate in real life all these years later. The slow clap is probably the cheesiest part, but that's ok, too. And of course, although they seem to be outmatched, Hickory comes away with the victory.

'Rocky Balboa' (2006), "It ain't about how hard you can hit"

Retired from boxing, in his 50s and now a widow, Philadelphia legend Rocky Balboa ( Sylvester Stallone ) enjoys managing his Italian restaurant named after his late wife, Adrian. However, a new Heavyweight champ, Mason "The Line" Dixon ( Antonio Tarver ) is criticized for having not beat a true contender.

When ESPN runs a simulation of Dixon and Rocky fighting in their prime, Rocky wins by knockout, inspiring him to renew his boxing license, which makes headlines. The two heavyweights set up an exhibition match , but when Rocky's estranged son Robert ( Milo Ventimiglia ) tries to deter him from fighting, pointing to his own failings as a consequence of Rocky's career, Rocky delivers this profound monologue about never giving up.

'Friday Night Lights' (2004), "Being perfect"

At halftime of the Texas State Championship for the Permian Panthers, Coach Gaines ( Billy Bob Thornton ) redefines how he views perfection to his team. For the entire movie, this Texas high school football team has been tasked with the weight of their entire community on their shoulders, expecting perfection.

Here, Gaines lets these kids know that this may be the last two quarters of football they ever play. He tells his team that perfection isn't about winning, it's about knowing you tried everything you could. That you could look your teammate in the eye knowing there wasn't anything else you could do, and that's ok. It is an emotional speech that sets up an emotional ending.

'Any Given Sunday' (1999), "Life is a game of inches"

Another football speech, this time for the underrated film Any Given Sunday. Coach D'Amato (Pacino) tells his team about his failures, and tells them they're in hell - but it's up to them together to drag themselves up and out. Comparing life's ups and downs to football, with inches of difference all around them that can decide an outcome.

Fighting for every inch, in life and in football, matters. And it's important to fight for what you want and what you have. It is truly one of the most riveting monologue that has ever been put to film. And among all of Pacino's performances, this speech really stands out.

'Miracle' (2004), "Great moments come from great opportunity."

The 1980 Olympics Gold Medal game between the USA and USSR lives on today as probably the greatest upset in sports history. Amateur USA players against professional Hockey players on Russia's side. Coach Herb Brooks ( Kurt Russell ) gives the greatest sports movie speech of all-time, pre-game to the Gold Medal match.

He tells his players they were born to be hockey players. That if they "played the Soviets 10 times, they might win nine," but that doesn't matter. All the matters is that for tonight, one game, they are the "greatest hockey team on the planet." Bone chilling speech and inspirational.

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10 famous speeches in history that continue to stand the test of time

A great speech is something that combines persuasive writing, a comfort with public speaking , and a meaningful message to create an impression greater than the sum of its parts. There’s no one set of rules to govern the ideal speech, and plenty of people struggle with them even with teams of experts to help them out — just see the majority of speeches given by politicians. But once in a while, a truly great speaker and a truly great speech come together to create something that stands out and withstands the test of time, carrying meaning with it through generations even to those who weren’t yet born when it was given.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Demosthenes, queen elizabeth i, george washington, abraham lincoln, chief joseph, winston churchill, john f. kennedy, barack obama, more famous speeches to inspire you.

Great speeches are more than just rhetorical flourish or impressive performance — they’re also calls to action, able to persuade and embolden the listener. These speeches can be inspiring, informative, and instructive, whether you’re interested in learning more about history or working on a speech of your own .

We’ve rounded up 10 of history’s greatest speeches, including excerpts so you can learn about how the power of a great speech can last for years.

1963 ‘I Have a Dream’ speech

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘s I Have a Dream speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, is one of the finest pieces of oratory in human history. It blended masterful, rich language with the oratorical technique of repetition and it was utterly fearless.

King would be dead by an assassin’s bullet less than five years after delivering his most famous speech. His words were no mere rhetoric; they were an affirmation of the value of human life and the expression of a cause for which he would give his own.

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’ … “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

341 BCE ‘Third Philippic’

Though you may not have heard of the Athenian orator Demosthenes, consider the fact that one of history’s most famed speakers of all time, Cicero, cited his ancient forebear 300 years later. Demosthenes’ Third Philippic , so-called because it was the third speech he gave devoted to convincing his fellow Athenians to take up arms against the encroaching forces of Phillip of Macedon, literally led men to war. At the end of his speech, delivered in 341 BCE, the Athenian Assembly moved at once against their rival, spurred on by lines damning the past inaction of his fellow citizens:

“You are in your present plight because you do not do any part of your duty, small or great; for of course, if you were doing all that you should do, and were still in this evil case, you could not even hope for any improvement. As it is, Philip has conquered your indolence and your indifference; but he has not conquered Athens. You have not been vanquished, you have never even stirred.

1588 ‘Spanish Armada’ speech t o the troops at Tilbury

In 1588, English monarch Queen Elizabeth I gave one of the manliest speeches in history, even at one point, putting down her own body for being female. As the “mighty” Spanish Armada, a flotilla of some 130 ships, sailed toward Britain with plans of invasion, the queen delivered a rousing address at Tilbury, Essex, England. As it turned out, a storm and some navigational errors took care of the Spanish warships for the most part. Still, it was a bold speech that helped bolster a nation. This speech also made Queen Elizabeth famous for the armor she wore in front of her troops.

“I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: To which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.”

1783 Resignation speech

To grasp the true power of George Washington ‘s resignation as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military (then known as the Continental Army) on December 23, 1783, you have to go beyond the words themselves and appreciate the context. Washington was in no way obliged to resign his commission, but did so willingly and even gladly, just as he would later refuse a third term as president of the nation, establishing a precedent honored into the 1940s and thereafter enshrined in law. Despite being the most powerful man in the fledgling military and then becoming the most powerful man in the United States, the staid and humble Washington was never hungry for power for himself; he just happened to be the best man for the job(s).

Even in his last address as leader of the nation’s armed forces, Washington made it all about America, and not about himself:

“Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable Nation, I resign with satisfaction the Appointment I accepted with diffidence. A diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.”

1863 ‘Gettysburg Address’

There’s a reason many people consider the Gettysburg Address to be the best speech in American history: It probably is. In just 275 words on November 19, 1863, near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln managed to express the following sentiments:

• America is both a place and a concept, both of which are worth fighting.
• Fighting is horrible, but losing is worse.
• We have no intention of losing.

Ironically, one line in Lincoln’s speech proved to be laughably inaccurate. Midway through the speech, he humbly said: “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” In fact, the world continues to remember his brief yet very stirring address.

“In a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract …

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us; that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”

1877 Surrender speech

On October 5, 1877, Nez Perce tribe leader Chief Joseph delivered a short, impromptu, and wrenching speech that many see as the lamentation of the end of an era for Native Americans and the lands that were stolen from them. Overtaken by the United States Army during a desperate multi-week retreat toward Canada, Chief Joseph surrendered to General Howard with this bleak, moving message:

“I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ He who led the young men [Olikut] is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are — perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”

1939 ‘Luckiest Man’ speech

No one wants a deadly disease named after them, but that’s what happened to baseball legend Lou Gehrig , who died at 37 after a brief battle with ALS, commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.” Following a career in which the Hall of Fame player earned many of baseball’s top honors and awards, Gehrig delivered one of the most touching speeches of the 20th century, a speech in which he brought comfort to those mourning his illness even as his health fell apart.

In essence, Gehrig told people not to worry about one dying man, but instead to celebrate all life had to offer as he listed all the wonderful things that occurred in his own life. In so doing, he brought solace to many and created a model of selflessness. Gehrig delivered this short speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939.

“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for 17  years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans … “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.”

1940 ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ speech

Winston Churchill delivered many superlative speeches in his day, including the 1946 address that created the term “Iron Curtain” to describe the boundary of Britain’s recent ally, the Soviet Union, and a 1940 speech praising the heroism of the British Royal Air Force in which he uttered the line: “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”

But it was his bold and bolstering speech delivered on June 4, 1940, to the British Parliament’s House of Commons — commonly referred to as We Shall Fight on the Beaches — that most exemplifies the famed leader. These were more than just words — these were a promise to his nation that they were all in the fight wholeheartedly together and it was a heads-up to the Axis powers that attacking the Brits had been a bad idea.

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

1961 inaugural address

Much of President John F. Kennedy ‘s pithy 1,366-word inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 1961, was well-written and meaningful, but as often happens, his speech has stood the test of time thanks to one perfect phrase. Amidst an address filled with both hope and dire warnings (“Man holds in his hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life,” the latter being a clear reference to atomic weapons), he issued a direct appeal to Americans everywhere to stand up for their country. You know the line:

“And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address

When our future president – then a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois – Barack Obama delivered a 17-minute speech on the evening of July 27, 2004, at the Democratic National Convention endorsing presidential candidate John Kerry, the personal trajectory of one man and the history of an entire nation shifted dramatically. Already an up-and-coming politician gaining traction in his home state of Illinois, Obama’s keynote address that night transformed him into a national figure and paved the way for his journey to becoming the first POTUS of color. What was it about the speech that so moved the country?

Partly, it was simply the excellent writing, most of which Obama handled himself. Perhaps more so, it was the message of the speech, which spoke to the “abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation.” In short, Obama reminded us of who we were supposed to be as citizens of this nation. And for a flickering moment, many of us heard him.

“There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America; there’s the United States of America. There’s not a Black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America … “We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America. In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism, or do we participate in a politics of hope?”

While we’ve taken an in-depth look at some of history’s most famous speeches, the list goes much further than those 10. Here are a few more great speeches that helped shape history that still have the power to inspire.

• 1941 – President Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Day of Infamy speech – Roosevelt’s address to Congress on December 8, 1941, came the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s best known for its opening line: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The speech spurred Congress to declare war on Japan and thrust the U.S. into World War II.
• 1933 – President Franklin Delano Roosevelt – First Inaugural Address – Considering FDR served four terms during the end of the Great Depression and through World War II, it stands to reason that he would have some pretty famous speeches. His first inaugural address from 1933 is also remembered for one powerful line. As he discussed his plan to pull the country out of the Great Depression, he uttered this iconic line: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is … fear itself.”
• 1986 – President Ronald Reagan – Address to the Nation on the Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger – when Reagan addressed the country on the night of January 28, 1986, the U.S. was reeling from seeing the Space Shuttle Challenger explode, just seconds after launch, killing the crew, which included Christa McAuliffe, who was to be NASA’s first teacher in space. Reagan was to have delivered his State of the Union speech to Congress that night but canceled it in the wake of the Challenger disaster. The speech included these memorable words of condolence: “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.'”
• 2001 – President George W. Bush – Address to the nation after 9/11 –  The morning of September 11, 2001, Bush was at a Florida elementary school to meet with children. He would have no idea that the day would end with him addressing the country after the horrific terrorist attacks that brought down the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon. That night, Bush gave the country words of hope, saying that the attacks did nothing to damage the American spirit. “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts,” Bush said. “The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.”

We hope you’re feeling more inspired and determined to make your own history after perusing this list. For more historical inspiration, check out ten of our favorite Black History films , a list of fantastic history books to read , a group of iconic photographs of people who changed history , and seven amazing books documenting LGBTQ+ history — not to mention the importance of historical heroes who have been often overlooked . However you intend to change your present and future, we wish you nothing but the best of luck.

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Alright, fellas, gather 'round and listen up. Golf Pride is bringing back a real classic — the V55 Heritage grip — and this time, it's available in both corded and rubber options.

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It used to be you didn't want to click on an email or link because it was a scammer pretending to be a prince trying to give away their money. Now, you never know if the meme or video you are about to click on is going to be someone trolling you into hearing Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up. If you haven't been Rickrolled yet, tell us your secret. Embracing the iconic nature of the song, Rick Astley re-recorded the jam, but with a twist aimed at bringing awareness to a good cause.

There's animation, then there's Pixar. The animation studio owned by Disney revolutionized computer-generated entertainment in the late 1990s, and it has never looked back since. While Disney is known for bringing magic to the movie screen, Pixar's thematically rich stories and ultra-fleshed-out characters transcend the medium, making critics aware of the greatness that lies within CGI imagery. Pixar's reputation relied more on creativity and abstract, yet relatable concepts in its early years, while it's resided on the sequel content more in recent times. Whether you like one of the company's franchises or its standalone films more, you've surely been touched by the ethereal and effervescent style of Pixar. Here are the 10 best Pixar movies, ranked.

Ted Simmons' HOF speech

Ted Simmons gives a speech at the 2021 Hall of Fame induction ceremony

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The famous catchphrases of baseball's best play-by-play announcers

• Author: April Siese

. Dizzy Dean

Country Grammar

You know that (most likely) fake meme going around of Shane at Walmart, giving curious customers directions to the nearest Albertson's when all they needed to do is walk ten feet down aisle two and just grab some dog food? Legendary pitcher-turned-sportscaster Dizzy Dean was that renegade badass on a national scale, instructing fans to switch over to the better games when even his own colorful play-by-play calls couldn't keep a lopsided game afloat. Dean was refreshingly honest about his rather modest roots and made no bones about pursuing baseball far harder than his studies. English teachers with nothing better to do (it was the dawn of televised broadcasts and there were, like, negative two channels to choose from) wrote incessant letters calling out Dean for his erroneous grammar but for die-hard fans like Peanuts' Charles Schulz, who's paid homage in his comics, Dizzy Dean's pseudo-Shakespearian inventions of words like “slud” made him a poetic, prescient commentator.

. Mel Allen

American Classic

The complicated history associated with Mel Allen and the Yankees has, to this day, kept baseball fans' heads spinning and tongues wagging with theories as to why one of baseball's greatest commentators was fired by an organization whose fans adored him so much that they'd practically forced him to call World Series games even without a pinstripe presence on the field. Allen was the voice of 22 World Series, 24 All-Star Games, and narrated the original This Week in Baseball from its inaugural episode in 1977 until his death in 1996. Allen was fired by the Yankees in 1964, ending a reign of 25 years with the Yankees in which he'd coined the nickname “Joltin' Joe” for Joe DiMaggio and was a beacon of hope to an ailing Lou Gehrig, who avidly listened to Allen's play-by-play calling. Allen was eventually brought back in 1976, where fans could hear his “how about that?” catchphrase once more.

. Dave Niehaus

Trendsetter

As the Mariners' original announcer and partial team owner, Dave Niehaus was heavily invested in the fate of Seattle's expansion team and ensuring its legacy. Niehaus certainly cemented his own during his 33 years with the team, allegedly coining the nicknames for Ken Griffey, Jr. and Franklin Gutierrez as well as peppering his broadcasts with such stellar catchphrases as “swung on and belted” to denote homers and the ridiculous “Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time!” for the ultimate in scoring plays, the grand slam. Niehaus' passion for the game and dedication to the region netted him some stellar accolades that include a spot in Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Slugfest, where his announcing chops helped take then N64 game to the next level and even a song by Macklemore. Yet another catchphrase from Niehaus, “My Oh My” captures Niehaus' legendary calling of “The Double” and giving fans across the country an unexpected case of the feels. “My Oh My” indeed.

. Jack Buck

Before Joe Buck was teaching an entire nation where their TV remotes' mute button happens to be, Jack Buck was actually doing something spectacular in the commentators' booth. The far superior Buck, Jack was a fixture with the St. Louis Cardinals for nearly half a century. His positive “It's a winner!” catchphrase was a catchall for clutch plays, rallies, and game-winning moments that made the Cardinals' roller coaster ride of a trajectory from Runnin' Redbirds to a team in turmoil all the more exciting. To Buck, baseball was the great unifier, a sentiment especially felt during the reading of his famous “For America” poem recited mere days after 9/11. Sadly in ailing health, Buck maintained composure and delivered an address that, at the least was indicative of his compelling career in broadcasting and clearly one of the most iconic speeches ever delivered at a professional sporting event. “For America” wasn't the first time Buck had regaled on a national stage: the broadcaster called 18 Super Bowls and 11 World Series. He was everywhere in football and a true treasure to both the NFL and MLB.

. Harry Caray

Boozin' Baseball

The man who practically invented and invited the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the middle of the seventh inning, Harry Caray was as much of a homer as they come (though an actually good one and not just within the context of Chicagoland; sorry, Hawk Harrelson) and known by his exuberant calls of “Holy Cow!” and “Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win!” when they actually pulled one out and didn't make calling a game one of the more difficult undertakings of Caray's career. Many know him more through the absurdist eyes of Will Ferrell a la SNL and, given his meticulously detailed 1972 diary in which it was revealed that he'd spent over half the year at multiple bars every night, Ferrell may not have been that far off. Still, Caray knew how to captivate an audience with an earnest style befitting of a professional wrestling announcer more than a man of baseball. And, really, that's what made him the only voice you wanted to hear throughout season after season of sorry Cubs baseball in which “they keep drawing an average of a million-three a year, and, when the season's over and they've won their usual seventy-one games, you feel that those fans deserve a medal.”

. Bill King

Incredulous in Style

Perhaps one of the coolest renaissance men of contemporary broadcasting, Bill King was quite literally my childhood; the voice of oh-so-many great moments in Bay Area sports for over four decades. He was one of the few who could effortlessly switch from Warriors basketball to Raiders football to A's baseball and offer up erudite knowledge in all fields. Like the great Harry Caray, King's catchphrase was one of incredulity: “Holy Toledo!” That phrase took A's fans through the whirlwind moments of the Billy Martin regime, just past the Bash Bros' overpowered reign, and into the upheaval of Moneyball. King was a very visual broadcaster and consummate reporter whose overpreparedness wowed his peers and colleagues. It even caught the eye of the Raiders' curmudgeon head honcho Al Davis. It is because of his dedication to Bay Area sports that the broadcasting booth at the O.co Coliseum is named in his honor. And, yes, after years of reading a weathered cardboard sign begging the A's for a Bill King bobblehead, a talking one was made available to 2003 season ticket holders.

. Harry Kalas

Great Expectations

Beloved Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas came out swinging when he made his debut with the organization in 1971, just six years after starting his career calling baseball games in Houston. Kalas came on the scene has a replacement for Astros announcer Al “Mr. Radio Baseball” Helfer and had even bigger shoes to fill once he got to Philadelphia, where he was set to replace Philly fixture Bill Campbell. Kalas proved to be a formidable replacement for both, honing his craft by way of genuine Phanaticism and an unparalleled connection with Phillies fans. Kalas' catchphrase of “Swing and a long drive” before the announcement of a home run was music to fans' ears. So too was his love of Frank Sinatra's “High Hopes”, which he delighted in singing on multiple occasions.

. Russ Hodges

Song and Dance

Imagine, if you will, my childhood shock when I learned about the "Shot Heard Round the World "in elementary school. I could not believe that baseball had been around during the American Revolutionary War or that Bobby Thomson was that old and yet still alive! When you're 9-years-old and already a Giants fanatic, your general concept of the world tends to err more on the side of baseball than historical civic events. Still, Thomson's fateful shot that catapulted the Giants into the 1951 World Series was a marker of baseball and broadcasting history through serendipitous means. It was Russ Hodges' frantic cries of “Giants win the pennant!” that forever stick out in my mind as well as the masses, though at the time, Hodges was simply a local radio announcer. The legendary sportscaster would go on to move with the Giants from New York to San Francisco and further gift fans with the home run catchphrase of “Bye Bye, Baby” further immortalized in a promotional song for radio station KSFO. An instrumental version of the tune is used to this day in Giants telecasts.

. Vin Scully

Unforgettable

It doesn't matter how you feel about the Dodgers organization or anything associated with it: The undisputed voice of baseball for over six and a half decades is Vin Scully. Scully has been with the Dodgers since before their move to the west coast and even still holds the title for youngest broadcaster to call a World Series. A 25-year-old Scully held a nation captive during the 1953 World Series in which the Dodgers fell to the Yankees in a heated six-game series. Though his most easily recognizable catchphrase may be in calling a home run with simply “forget it,” Scully is iconic, unforgettable, and still stands as the sharpest mind in baseball. He can spin a yarn into a patchwork of baseball's history in the time it takes to get a Dodger dog and a beer before the dreaded 7th inning alcohol cutoff. Using a combination of index cards, media guides and scorecards more in line with a college student cramming for a massive final than a day at the ballpark, Scully is able to trace those narrative threads from the sports' beginnings to its current all-stars. Though his broadcasting schedule has sadly been reduced, Scully still greets fans with a friendly “It's time for Dodgers baseball!” and will continue to do so into the 2015 season.

. Honorable Mention: Gary Thorne

Spic 'n Span, Thank You Ma'am

Unpopular opinion time, y'all. Gather round, sharpen your comment pitchforks, and sign into some fun when I tell you that I truly believe the Orioles' Gary Thorne is the present day people's commentator. As The Rock represented the masses during Attitude-era WWF, so Thorne says what every fan is thinking when they tune into a Baltimore game. Who hasn't made the joke that their respective team's general manager is making a call for pizza to be delivered rather than a pitcher to begin warming up? With a garish mix of pop culture humor and actual, you know, baseball announcing, Thorne has endeared himself to fans far and wide starting his career first with former AAA team the Maine Guides before moving onto the Mets and, soon after, the Orioles where he's been serving up shade and sportscasting since 2007. Thorne is so topical he's got damn near no catchphrases to show for, but has been honored (along with his fellow O's commentators) with a tumblr page and a Twitter handle: @DrunkGaryThorne.

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in: Character , Featured , Knowledge of Men

Brett & Kate McKay • August 24, 2020 • Last updated: August 25, 2021

The 35 Greatest Speeches in History

These famous speeches lifted hearts in dark times, gave hope in despair, refined the characters of men, inspired brave feats, gave courage to the weary, honored the dead, and changed the course of history.

How did we compile this list?

Great oratory has three components: style, substance, and impact.

Style: A great speech must be masterfully constructed. The best orators are masters of both the written and spoken word, and use words to create texts that are beautiful to both hear and read.

Substance: A speech may be flowery and charismatically presented, and yet lack any true substance at all. Great oratory must center on a worthy theme; it must appeal to and inspire the audience’s finest values and ideals.

Impact: Great oratory always seeks to persuade the audience of some fact or idea. The very best speeches change hearts and minds and seem as revelatory several decades or centuries removed as when they were first given.

And now for the speeches.

Contents [ hide ]

• 1. Theodore Roosevelt, "Duties of American Citizenship"
• 2. Winston Churchill, "We Shall Fight on the Beaches"
• 3. Lou Gehrig, "Farewell to Baseball Address"
• 4. Demosthenes, "The Third Philippic"
• 5. Chief Joseph, "Surrender Speech"
• 6. John F. Kennedy, "Inauguration Address"

7. Ronald Reagan, "Address to the Nation on the Challenger"

8. "speech of alexander the great", 9. william wilberforce, "abolition speech", 10. theodore roosevelt, "the man with the muck-rake", 11. franklin delano roosevelt, "first inaugural address", 12. charles de gaulle, "the appeal of 18 june", 13. socrates, "apology", 14. george washington, "resignation speech", 15. mahatma gandhi, "quit india", 16. winston churchill, "their finest hour", 17. william faulkner, "nobel prize acceptance speech", 18. dwight d. eisenhower, "farewell address", 19. marcus tullius cicero, "the first oration against catiline", 20. ronald reagan, "remarks at the brandenburg gate", 21. pericles, "funeral oration", 22. general douglas macarthur, "farewell address to congress", 23. theodore roosevelt, "strength and decency", 24. abraham lincoln, "2nd inaugural address", 25. patrick henry, "give me liberty or give me death", 26. ronald reagan, "40th anniversary of d-day".

• 27. John F. Kennedy, "The Decision to Go to the Moon"

28. Frederick Douglass, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

29. general douglas macarthur, "duty, honor, country", 30. theodore roosevelt, "citizenship in a republic", 31. winston churchill, "blood, sweat, and tears", 32. franklin delano roosevelt, "pearl harbor address to the nation", 33. jesus christ, "the sermon on the mount", 34. martin luther king jr., "i have a dream", 35. abraham lincoln, "the gettysburg address", 1. theodore roosevelt,  “duties of american citizenship”.

January 26, 1883; Buffalo , New York

Given while serving as a New York assemblyman, TR's address on the "Duties of American Citizenship" delved into both the theoretical reasons why every man should be involved in politics and the practical means of serving in that capacity. Roosevelt chided those who excused themselves from politics because they were too busy; it was every man's duty to devote some time to maintaining good government.

Worthy Excerpt:

Of course, in one sense, the first essential for a man's being a good citizen is his possession of the home virtues of which we think when we call a man by the emphatic adjective of manly. No man can be a good citizen who is not a good husband and a good father, who is not honest in his dealings with other men and women, faithful to his friends and fearless in the presence of his foes, who has not got a sound heart, a sound mind, and a sound body; exactly as no amount of attention to civil duties will save a nation if the domestic life is undermined, or there is lack of the rude military virtues which alone can assure a country's position in the world. In a free republic the ideal citizen must be one willing and able to take arms for the defense of the flag, exactly as the ideal citizen must be the father of many healthy children. A race must be strong and vigorous; it must be a race of good fighters and good breeders, else its wisdom will come to naught and its virtue be ineffective; and no sweetness and delicacy, no love for and appreciation of beauty in art or literature, no capacity for building up material prosperity can possibly atone for the lack of the great virile virtues. But this is aside from my subject, for what I wish to talk of is the attitude of the American citizen in civic life. It ought to be axiomatic in this country that every man must devote a reasonable share of his time to doing his duty in the Political life of the community. No man has a right to shirk his political duties under whatever plea of pleasure or business; and while such shirking may be pardoned in those of small cleans it is entirely unpardonable in those among whom it is most common--in the people whose circumstances give them freedom in the struggle for life. In so far as the community grows to think rightly, it will likewise grow to regard the young man of means who shirks his duty to the State in time of peace as being only one degree worse than the man who thus shirks it in time of war. A great many of our men in business, or of our young men who are bent on enjoying life (as they have a perfect right to do if only they do not sacrifice other things to enjoyment), rather plume themselves upon being good citizens if they even vote; yet voting is the very least of their duties, Nothing worth gaining is ever gained without effort. You can no more have freedom without striving and suffering for it than you can win success as a banker or a lawyer without labor and effort, without self-denial in youth and the display of a ready and alert intelligence in middle age. The people who say that they have not time to attend to politics are simply saying that they are unfit to live in a free community.

Read full text of speech here .

2. Winston Churchill,  “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”

June 4, 1940 ; House of Commons, London

Winston Churchill, one of the greatest orators of the 20th century, was interestingly enough, like Demosthenes and other great orators before him, born with a speech impediment which he worked on until it no longer hindered him. One would never guess this from hearing Churchill's strong and reassuring voice, a voice that would buoy up Britain during some of her darkest hours.

During the Battle of France, Allied Forces became cut off from troops south of the German penetration and perilously trapped at the Dunkirk bridgehead. On May 26, a wholesale evacuation of these troops, dubbed "Operation Dynamo," began. The evacuation was an amazing effort-the RAF kept the Luftwaffe at bay while thousands of ships, from military destroyers to small fishing boats, were used to ferry 338,000 French and British troops to safety, far more than anyone had thought possible. On June 4, Churchill spoke before the House of Commons, giving a report which celebrated the "miraculous deliverance" at Dunkirk, while also seeking to temper a too rosy of view of what was on the whole a "colossal military disaster."

I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

Check out my podcast with Churchill biographer Andrew Roberts .

3. Lou Gehrig, “Farewell to Baseball Address”

July 4, 1939; Yankee Stadium

It seemed as if the luminous career of Lou Gehrig would go on forever. The Yankee's first baseman and prodigious slugger was nicknamed the Iron Horse for his durability and commitment to the game. Sadly, his record for suiting up for 2,130 consecutive games came to an end when at age 36, Gehrig was stricken with the crippling disease that now bears his name. On July 4, 1939, the Yankees held a ceremony to honor their teammate and friend. They retired Gehrig's number, spoke of his greatness, and presented him with various gifts, plaques, and trophies. When Gehrig finally addressed the crowd, he did not use the opportunity to wallow in pity. Instead, he spoke of the things he was grateful for and what a lucky guy he was.

Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert - also the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow - to have spent the next nine years with that wonderful little fellow Miller Huggins - then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology - the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy! Sure, I'm lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift, that's something! When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies, that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles against her own daughter, that's something. When you have a father and mother who work all their lives so that you can have an education and build your body, it's a blessing! When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed, that's the finest I know. So I close in saying that I might have had a tough break - but I have an awful lot to live for!

4. Demosthenes,  “The Third Philippic”

342 B.C.; Athens, Greece

Demosthenes, master statesman and orator, loved his city-state of Athens. He cherished its way of life and abundant freedoms. And he believed in standing strong against anyone who might attempt to infringe on these privileges. This passion, unfortunately, was seldom shared by his fellow Athenians. While Philip the II of Macedon made bolder and bolder incursions into the Greek peninsula, the Athenian people seemed stuck in an apathetic stupor. For years, Demosthenes employed his powerful oratorical skills in attempts to awaken his fellow citizens from sleep to the realization of the imminent danger Philip posed. When Philip advanced on Thrace, the Athenians called an assembly to debate whether or not to finally heed the great orator's advice. Demosthenes was sick of his brethren taking liberty and the Athenian way of life for granted and he boldly called upon them to rise up and take action. After his rousing speech, the assembly all cried out, "To arms! To arms!"

It is this fate, I solemnly assure you, that I dread for you, when the time comes that you make your reckoning, and realize that there is no longer anything that can be done. May you never find yourselves, men of Athens, in such a position! Yet in any case, it were better to die ten thousand deaths, than to do anything out of servility towards Philip [or to sacrifice any of those who speak for your good]. A noble recompense did the people in Oreus receive, for entrusting themselves to Philip's friends, and thrusting Euphraeus aside! And a noble recompense the democracy of Eretria, for driving away your envoys, and surrendering to Cleitarchus! They are slaves, scourged and butchered! A noble clemency did he show to the Olynthians, who elected Lasthenes to command the cavalry, and banished Apollonides! It is folly, and it is cowardice, to cherish hopes like these, to give way to evil counsels, to refuse to do anything that you should do, to listen to the advocates of the enemy's cause, and to fancy that you dwell in so great a city that, whatever happens, you will not suffer any harm.

5. Chief Joseph, “Surrender Speech”

October 5, 1877; Montana Territory

In 1877, the military announced that the Chief Joseph and his tribe of Nez Perce had to move onto a reservation in Idaho or face retribution. Desiring to avoid violence, Chief Joseph advocated peace and cooperation. But fellow tribesmen dissented and killed four white men. Knowing a swift backlash was coming, Joseph and his people began to make their way to Canada, hoping to find amnesty there. The tribe traveled 1700 miles, fighting the pursuing US army along the way. In dire conditions, and after a five day battle, Chief Joseph surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles on Oct. 5, 1877 in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana Territory, a mere 40 miles from the Canadian border. The Chief knew he was the last of a dying breed, and the moment of surrender was heartbreaking.

Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are - perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

6. John F. Kennedy,  “Inauguration Address”

January 20, 1961; Washington, D.C.

Young, handsome, with a glamorous family in tow, John F. Kennedy embodied the fresh optimism that had marked the post-war decade. On January 20, 1961, Kennedy took the oath of office as the 35th President of the United States. The youngest president in United States history, he was the first man born in the 20th century to hold that office. Listening to his inaugural address, the nation felt that a new era and a "new frontier" were being ushered in.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Listen to the speech.

January 28, 1986; Washington, D.C.

On January 28, 1986, millions of Americans, many of them schoolchildren watching from their classroom desks, tuned in to see 7 Americans, including Christa McAuliffe, a 37 year old schoolteacher and the first ever "civilian astronaut," lift off in the space shuttle Challenger. Just 73 seconds later, the shuttle was consumed in a fireball. All seven aboard perished. These were the first deaths of American astronauts while in flight, and the nation was shocked and heartbroken by the tragedy. Just a few hours after the disaster, President Ronald Reagan took to the radio and airwaves, honoring these "pioneers" and offering comfort and assurance to a rattled people.

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers. And I want to say something to the school children of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them...... The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honoured us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'

Check out our podcast with Ronald Regan biographer Bob Sptiz.

326 B.C.; Hydaspes River, India

In 335 B.C., Alexander the Great began his campaign to recapture former Greek cities and to expand his empire. After ten years of undefeated battles, Alexander controlled an empire that included Greece, Egypt, and what had been the massive Persian Empire.

That wasn't enough for Xander. He decided to continue his conquest into India. But after ten years of fighting and being away from home, his men lacked the will to take part in another battle, especially against an opponent like King Porus and his army. Alexander used the talent for oration he had developed while studying under Aristotle to infuse his men with the motivation they needed to continue on, to fight and to win.

I could not have blamed you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared in your exhausting marches and your perilous campaigns; it would have been natural enough if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward. But it is not so. You and I, gentlemen, have shared the labour and shared the danger, and the rewards are for us all. The conquered territory belongs to you; from your ranks the governors of it are chosen; already the greater part of its treasure passes into your hands, and when all Asia is overrun, then indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions: the utmost hopes of riches or power which each one of you cherishes will be far surpassed, and whoever wishes to return home will be allowed to go, either with me or without me. I will make those who stay the envy of those who return.

Check out the AoM podcast about the life of Alexander the Great.

May 12, 1789; House of Commons, London

When William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament, converted to Christianity, he began to earnestly seek to reform the evils he found within himself and the world around him. One of the glaring moral issues of the day was slavery, and after reading up on the subject and meeting with anti-slavery activists, Wilberforce became convinced that God was calling him to be an abolitionist. Wilberforce decided to concentrate on ending the slave trade rather than slavery itself, reasoning that the abolition of one would logically lead to the demise of the other. On May 12, 1789, Wilberforce made his first speech on the abolition of the slave trade before the House of Commons. He passionately made his case for why the trade was reprehensible and needed to cease. Wilberforce introduced a bill to abolish the trade, but it failed, a result he would become quite familiar with in the ensuing years. Yet Wilberforce never gave up, reintroducing the bill year after year, and the Slave Trade Act was finally passed in 1807.

When I consider the magnitude of the subject which I am to bring before the House-a subject, in which the interests, not of this country, nor of Europe alone, but of the whole world, and of posterity, are involved: and when I think, at the same time, on the weakness of the advocate who has undertaken this great cause-when these reflections press upon my mind, it is impossible for me not to feel both terrified and concerned at my own inadequacy to such a task. But when I reflect, however, on the encouragement which I have had, through the whole course of a long and laborious examination of this question, and how much candour I have experienced, and how conviction has increased within my own mind, in proportion as I have advanced in my labours;-when I reflect, especially, that however averse any gentleman may now be, yet we shall all be of one opinion in the end;-when I turn myself to these thoughts, I take courage-I determine to forget all my other fears, and I march forward with a firmer step in the full assurance that my cause will bear me out, and that I shall be able to justify upon the clearest principles, every resolution in my hand, the avowed end of which is, the total abolition of the slave trade.

April 14, 1906; Washington, D.C.

Theodore Roosevelt was president during the Progressive Era, a time of great enthusiasm for reform in government, the economy, and society. TR himself held many progressive ideals, but he also called for moderation, not extremism. The "Man with a Muck-rake" in Pilgrim's Progress never looked heavenward but instead constantly raked the filth at his feet. TR thus dubbed the journalists and activists of the day who were intent on exposing the corruption in society as "muckrakers." He felt that they did a tremendous amount of good, but needed to mitigate their constant pessimism and alarmist tone. He worried that the sensationalism with which these exposes were often presented would make citizens overly cynical and too prone to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

To assail the great and admitted evils of our political and industrial life with such crude and sweeping generalizations as to include decent men in the general condemnation means the searing of the public conscience. There results a general attitude either of cynical belief in and indifference to public corruption or else of a distrustful inability to discriminate between the good and the bad. Either attitude is fraught with untold damage to the country as a whole. The fool who has not sense to discriminate between what is good and what is bad is well-nigh as dangerous as the man who does discriminate and yet chooses the bad. There is nothing more distressing to every good patriot, to every good American, than the hard, scoffing spirit which treats the allegation of dishonesty in a public man as a cause for laughter. Such laughter is worse than the crackling of thorns under a pot, for it denotes not merely the vacant mind, but the heart in which high emotions have been choked before they could grow to fruition.

March 4, 1933; Washington, D.C.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt handily beat incumbent Herbert Hoover in the 1932 presidential election. The country was deep into the Great Depression, and the public felt that Hoover did not fully sympathize with their plight and was not doing enough to alleviate it. No one was quite clear on what FDR's plan was, but as in today's election season, "change" was enough of an idea to power a campaign. In his First Inaugural Address, Roosevelt sought to buoy up the injured psyche of the American people and present his case for why he would need broad executive powers to tackle the Depression.

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

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June 18, 1940; London

In June of 1940, it was clear that France was losing their country to the German invasion. Refusing to sign an armistice, Prime Minister Paul Reynaud was forced to resign. He was succeeded by Marshal Philippe Petain who made clear his intention to seek an accommodation with Germany. Disgusted with this decision, General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, escaped to England on June 15. De Gaulle asked for, and obtained permission from Winston Churchill to make a speech on BBC radio. De Gaulle exhorted the French to not give up hope and to continue the fight against the German occupation and the Vichy Regime.

But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No! Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts, and who tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us victory one day. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States. This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the mistakes, all the delays, all the suffering, do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by mechanical force, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it.

399 B.C.; Athens

Socrates is perhaps the greatest teacher in the history of the Western world. He wandered around Athens engaging in dialogues with his fellow citizens that focused on discovering the truth of all things . He taught his pupils that the "unexamined life is not worth living."

The Athenians saw Socrates as a threat, especially to the Athenian youth. Socrates acquired quite a following among the young men of Athens. He taught these impressionable minds to question everything, even Athenian authority. Eventually, Socrates was arrested and put on trial for corrupting the youth, not believing the gods, and creating new deities.

The "Apology" is Socrates' defense to these charges. Instead of crying and pleading for mercy, Socrates accepts his charges and attempts to persuade the jury with reason. He argued that it was his calling from the gods to seek knowledge and that it was through his questions he uncovered truth. To not fulfill his calling would be blasphemy. In the end, Socrates lost and was sentenced to death by hemlock. Socrates accepted this fate willingly and without grudge against his condemners, thus dying as a martyr for free thinking.

Some one will say: Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you? Now I have great difficulty in making you understand my answer to this. For if I tell you that to do as you say would be a disobedience to the God, and therefore that I cannot hold my tongue, you will not believe that I am serious; and if I say again that daily to discourse about virtue, and of those other things about which you hear me examining myself and others, is the greatest good of man, and that the unexamined life is not worth living, you are still less likely to believe me.

Check out our article on the philosophy of Plato . 

December 23, 1784; Annapolis, Maryland

As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, there was much speculation that George Washington, then Major General and Commander-in-Chief, would follow in the footsteps of former world leaders by making a grab for supreme power. Some even wished he would do so, hoping he would become the king of a new nation. Yet Washington knew that such a move would wither the fragile beginnings of the new republic. Looking to the Roman general Cincinnatus an exemplar, Washington rejected the temptations of power and resigned his position as Commander-in-Chief. Choosing the right is almost never easy, and as Washington read his speech in front of the Continental Congress, the great statesman trembled so much that he had to hold the parchment with two hands to keep it steady. "The spectators all wept, and there was hardly a member of Congress who did not drop tears. His voice faltered and sunk, and the whole house felt his agitations." When finished, Washington bolted from the door of the Annapolis State House, mounted his horse, and galloped away into the sunset.

While I repeat my obligations to the Army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place the peculiar Services and distinguished merits of the Gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the War. It was impossible the choice of confidential Officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me Sir, to recommend in particular those, who have continued in Service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of Congress. I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theater of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.

Check out my podcast about the self-education of George Washington.

August 8, 1942; India

While the battle for freedom and democracy raged across the world, the people of India were engaged in their own fight for liberty. For almost a century, India had been under the direct rule of the British crown, and many Indians had had enough. Mahatma Gandhi and the National Indian Congress pushed for a completely non-violent movement aimed at forcing Britain to "Quit India." Gandhi, pioneer of the tactics of non-violent civil disobedience, called for their use on August 8, 1942 with the passing of the Quit India Resolution demanding complete independence from British rule.

I believe that in the history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours. I read Carlyle's French Resolution while I was in prison, and Pandit Jawaharlal has told me something about the Russian revolution. But it is my conviction that inasmuch as these struggles were fought with the weapon of violence they failed to realize the democratic ideal. In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master. It is to join a struggle for such democracy that I invite you today. Once you realize this you will forget the differences between the Hindus and Muslims, and think of yourselves as Indians only, engaged in the common struggle for independence.

June 18, 1940; House of Commons, London

On May 10, 1940, the Germans began their invasion of France. On June 14 Paris fell. In a matter of days, France would surrender and England would stand as Europe's lone bulwark against the twin evils of Fascism and Nazism. At this critical moment, Churchill gave his third and final speech during the Battle of France, once again imparting words meant to bring hope in this dark hour.

What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'

Check out my podcast about how Churchill led during the Blitz.

December 10, 1950; Stockholm, Sweden

A true master of the written word, William Faulkner did not often make public his gift for the spoken variety. So there was some interest as to what he would say when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize for his "powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel." The year was 1950, the Soviet Union had tapped the potential of the atomic bomb, and the atmosphere in the the United States crackled with the fear of them using it. Faulkner challenged poets, authors, and all mankind to think beyond the questions of "When will I be blown up?" and instead continue to "create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before."

I decline to accept the end of man. It is easy enough to say that man is immortal because he will endure: that when the last ding-dong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of his puny inexhaustible voice, still talking. I refuse to accept this. I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.

January 17, 1961; Washington, D.C.

The 1950's were a time of ever increasing military spending, as the United States sought to fight communism abroad and prevent it at home. As President Dwight D. Eisenhower left office, more than half of the federal budget was allocated for defense purposes. Eisenhower, former General of the Army, was certainly not opposed to the use of military power to keep the peace. Still, he saw fit to use his "Farewell Address" to warn the nation of the dangers posed by the "military-industrial complex," referring to the relationship between the armed forces, the government, and the suppliers of war materials. Eisenhower was wary of the large role defense spending played in the economy, and understood the political and corporate corruption that could result if the public was not vigilant in checking it.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex . The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

63 BC; Rome

Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline to his friends) was a very jealous man. Having once run against Cicero for the position of consul and lost, he became determined to win the next election by any devious method necessary. Plan A was to bribe people to vote for him, and when that didn't work, he decided to go for bust and simply knock Cicero off on election day. This plan was ferreted out by the ever vigilant Cicero, the election was postponed, and the Senate established marital law. When the election finally was held, the murderer-cum-candidate was surprisingly trounced at the polls. Now it was time for Catiline's Plan C: raise an army of co-conspirators, create insurrection throughout Italy, overthrow the government, and slice and dice as many Senators as they could get their coo -ky hands on. But Cicero was again one step ahead and discovered the plan. He called the Senate together for a meeting at the Temple of Jupiter in the Capitol, an orifice only used in times of great crisis. Catiline, who seriously didn't know when he was not welcome, decided to crash the party. With his archenemy in attendance, Cicero began his Catiline Orations, a series of speeches covering how he saved Rome from rebellion, the guilt of Catiline, and the need to whack he and his cronies.

I wish, O conscript fathers, to be merciful; I wish not to appear negligent amid such danger to the state; but I do now accuse myself of remissness and culpable inactivity. A camp is pitched in Italy, at the entrance of Etruria, in hostility to the republic; the number of the enemy increases every day; and yet the general of that camp, the leader of those enemies, we see within the walls-aye, and even in the senate-planning every day some internal injury to the republic. If, O Catiline, I should now order you to be arrested, to be put to death, I should, I suppose, have to fear lest all good men should say that I had acted tardily, rather than that any one should affirm that I acted cruelly. But yet this, which ought to have been done long since, I have good reason for not doing as yet; I will put you to death, then, when there shall be not one person possible to be found so wicked, so abandoned, so like yourself, as not to allow that it has been rightly done. As long as one person exists who can dare to defend you, you shall live; but you shall live as you do now, surrounded by my many and trusty guards, so that you shall not be able to stir one finger against the republic; many eyes and ears shall still observe and watch you, as they have hitherto done, tho you shall not perceive them.

June 12, 1987; Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Since the end of World War II, Germany had been a divided country, the West free and democratic, the East under authoritarian communist control. When President Reagan took office, he was committed not only to uniting that country, but to bringing down the entire "Evil Empire." While the importance of Reagan's role in successfully doing so is endlessly debated, it beyond dispute that he exerted some influence in bringing the Cold War to an end. There is no more memorable and symbolic moment of this influence then when Reagan stood at the Berlin wall, the most visible symbol of the "Iron Curtain," and challenged Gorbachev to "tear down this wall!"

We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Listen to speech.

431 BC; Athens

Pericles, master statesman, orator, and general, was truly, as Thuciydies dubbed him, "the first citizen of Athens." Pericles was a product of the Sophists and had been personally tutored by the great philosopher Anaxagoras. His study with the Sophists made Pericles a highly persuasive orator. Through his speeches, he galvanized Athenians to undertake an enormous public works project that created hundreds of temples, including the Pantheon.

Pericles' gift of oration was put to the test during the epic battles of the Peloponnesian War, a civil war between Athens and Sparta. His speeches inspired Athenians to fight to become the number one power in Greece. In February of 431 B.C., Athens had their annual public funeral to honor all those who died in war. Pericles was asked to give the traditional funeral oration. Rather than focus his speech on enumerating the conquests of Athens' fallen heroes, Pericles instead used his funeral oration to laud the glory of Athens itself and inspire the living to make sure the soldiers had not died in vain.

Over 2,000 years later, Pericles' funeral oration inspired Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." Like Pericles, Lincoln was a leader during a time of civil war. Like Pericles, Lincoln focused on exhorting the living to live their lives in a way that would make the sacrifice of fallen warriors worthwhile.

So died these men as became Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier issue. And not contented with ideas derived only from words of the advantages which are bound up with the defense of your country, though these would furnish a valuable text to a speaker even before an audience so alive to them as the present, you must yourselves realize the power of Athens, and feed your eyes upon her from day to day, till love of her fills your hearts; and then, when all her greatness shall break upon you, you must reflect that it was by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feeling of honor in action that men were enabled to win all this, and that no personal failure in an enterprise could make them consent to deprive their country of their valor, but they laid it at her feet as the most glorious contribution that they could offer.

April 19, 1951, Washington; D.C.

During the Korean War, General MacArthur and President Truman clashed over the threat posed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army and their incursion into Korea. MacArthur continually pressed Truman for permission to bomb bases in Manchuria, believing the war needed to be extended in area and scope. Truman refused the General's requests, arguing that directly drawing China into the war would arouse the Soviet Union to action. MacArthur continued to press his case, and Truman, accusing the General of insubordination, made the decision to relieve MacArthur of his command. After serving for 52 years and in three wars, the General's military career was over. MacArthur returned to the United States and gave this farewell address to Congress.

I am closing my 52 years of military service. When I joined the Army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all of my boyish hopes and dreams. The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on theplain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barrack ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that "old soldiers never die; they just fade away." And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Good Bye.

Roosevelt was an advocate of having many children and making sure the next generation would continue to uphold the great virtues of civilization. He was always concerned that young men not be coddled or cowardly, and grow up to live rugged, strenuous, and thoroughly manly lives. But he also strongly believed that being ruggedly manly and being refined in mind and spirit were not incompatible and should in fact go hand and hand. In this speech, he exhorts young men to pursue virtuous manliness. Amen, brother, amen.

It is peculiarly incumbent upon you who have strength to set a right example to others. I ask you to remember that you cannot retain your self-respect if you are loose and foul of tongue, that a man who is to lead a clean and honorable life must inevitably suffer if his speech likewise is not clean and honorable. Every man here knows the temptations that beset all of us in this world. At times any man will slip. I do not expect perfection, but I do expect genuine and sincere effort toward being decent and cleanly in thought, in word, and in deed. As I said at the outset, I hail the work of this society as typifying one of those forces which tend to the betterment and uplifting of our social system. Our whole effort should be toward securing a combination of the strong qualities with those qualities which we term virtues. I expect you to be strong. I would not respect you if you were not. I do not want to see Christianity professed only by weaklings; I want to see it a moving spirit among men of strength. I do not expect you to lose one particle of your strength or courage by being decent. On the contrary, I should hope to see each man who is a member of this society, from his membership in it become all the fitter to do the rough work of the world; all the fitter to work in time of peace; and if, which may Heaven forfend, war should come, all the fitter to fight in time of war. I desire to see in this country the decent men strong and the strong men decent, and until we get that combination in pretty good shape we are not going to be by any means as successful as we should be. There is always a tendency among very young men and among boys who are not quite young men as yet to think that to be wicked is rather smart; to think it shows that they are men. Oh, how often you see some young fellow who boasts that he is going to "see life," meaning by that that he is going to see that part of life which it is a thousandfold better should remain unseen!

March 4, 1865; Washington, D.C.

The Union's victory was but a month away as Abraham Lincoln began his second term as president of a bitterly ruptured United States. Like the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln keeps this speech only as long as needful. While there are those who still debate whether the Civil War was truly fought over slavery or not, Lincoln certainly believed so. To him, slavery was a great national sin, and the blood shed during the war was the atoning sacrifice for that evil.

He does not relish the prospect of coming victory; instead, he appeals to his countrymen to remember that the war was truly fought between brothers. When the war was over and the Confederacy forced to return to the Union, Lincoln was prepared to treat the South with relative leniency. He did not believe secession was truly possible, and thus the South had never truly left the Union. Reconstruction would not mean vengeance, but the return home of a terribly errant son.

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

March 23, 1775; Richmond , VA

For a decade, revolutionary sentiments had been brewing in Virginia and Patrick Henry had always been in the thick of it, stirring the pot. Henry became particularly enflamed by the Stamp Act of 1764, which prompted him to give his so-called "treason speech," spurring the Burgesses to pass the Virginia Resolves banning the act. Tensions between the colonies and the Crown continued to build, and in 1775, Massachusetts patriots began making preparations for war. Henry believed that Virginia should follow suit. At a meeting held in St. John's Church in Richmond, Henry presented resolutions to make ready Virginia's defenses. Seeking to persuade his fellow delegates of the urgency of his message, he gave a rousing and memorable speech, climaxing is that now famous line, "Give me liberty of give me death!"

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

June 6, 1984; Pointe du Hoc, France

What the Army Rangers did on D-Day at Pointe Du Hoc is a tale every man worth his salt should be familiar with. Pointe du Hoc was a sheer 100 foot cliff located in-between Omaha and Utah beaches. Perched atop the cliff sat six casemates capable of being manned, armed, and taking out the men on the beaches. As the Germans fired upon them, the Rangers scaled the cliff using ropes and ladders, found the guns (which had been moved from the casemates) and destroyed them. Without reinforcements for two days, the Rangers alone held their position and fended off German counterattacks. These skirmishes proved deadly; only 90 of the original 225 Ranger landing force survived.

On the 40 th anniversary of D-Day, President Reagan gave a moving tribute to these men, many of whom were present at the occasion.

These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war. Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender's poem. You are men who in your 'lives fought for life...and left the vivid air signed with your honor'... Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here. You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith, and belief; it was loyalty and love. The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.

27. John F. Kennedy, " The Decision to Go to the Moon"

May 25, 1961; Houston, TX

On April 12, 1961, the Soviets launched the first man into space. Khrushchev used this triumph as prime evidence of communism's superiority over decadent capitalism. Embarrassed, the United States feared it was falling behind the Soviet Union and losing the "space race." After consulting with political and NASA officials, Kennedy decided it was time for America to boldly go where no man had gone before by putting a man on the moon. The feat would not only catapult the nation over the Soviet Union, but also allow man to more fully explore the mysteries of space. And this mission would be accomplished by the end of the 1960's. When was the last time a president had the cajones to publicly issue a straightforward, ambitious goal and set a timeline for its success?

There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

July 5, 1852; Rochester, NY

Frederick Douglass, former slave, abolitionist, and engineer on the underground railroad, was a popular speaker on the anti-slavery circuit. He traveled thousands of miles each year, giving hundreds of speeches. Yet the money he earned from lecturing was not enough to become financially comfortable, and he and his family struggled. Douglass was disillusioned by the repercussions of the Fugitive Slave Act, and his abolitionist leanings grew more strident and bold. If the citizens of Rochester, New York had expected to be flattered by Douglass when they asked him to speak on the Fourth, they were soon disavowed of that idea. Douglass took the opportunity to defiantly point out the ripe hypocrisy of a nation celebrating their ideals of freedom and equality while simultaneously mired in the evil of slavery. While the speech surely made even the most liberal audience members squirm; nonetheless, the crowed let loose in "universal applause" when Douglass finished.

I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. Youmay rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today?

Read what books had the biggest influence on Frederick Douglass.

May 12, 1962; West Point, New York

General Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army and a man who fought in three wars, knew something of "Duty, Honor, Country." In 1962, MacArthur was in the twilight of his life and came to West Point to accept the Sylvanus Thayer Award and participate in his final cadet roll call. His address reflects upon and celebrates the brave and courageous men who came before, men he personally led, men who embodied "Duty, Honor, Country."

There are many great speeches in this list, but I hope you will pause to read the entirety of this one. Picking an excerpt was quite difficult, as so many of the passages are inspiring. A must read for all men.

You are the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our national system of defense. From your ranks come the great captains who hold the nation's destiny in their hands the moment the war tocsin sounds. The Long Gray Line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise from their white crosses thundering those magic words: Duty, Honor, Country . This does not mean that you are war mongers. On the contrary, the soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war." The shadows are lengthening for me. The twilight is here. My days of old have vanished, tone and tint. They have gone glimmering through the dreams of things that were. Their memory is one of wondrous beauty, watered by tears, and coaxed and caressed by the smiles of yesterday. I listen vainly, but with thirsty ears, for the witching melody of faint bugles blowing reveille, of far drums beating the long roll. In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield. But in the evening of my memory, always I come back to West Point. Always there echoes and re-echoes: Duty, Honor, Country .

April 23, 1910; Paris , France

At the end of Theodore Roosevelt's second term in office, he set out to tour Africa and Europe, hoping to allow his successor, President Taft, to step into the enormous shoes TR had left and become his own man. After a safari in Africa, he traveled throughout Europe. While in France, he was invited to speak at the historic University of Paris. Roosevelt used the opportunity to deliver a powerful address on the requirements of citizenship, the characteristics which would keep democracies like France and the United States robust and strong. This speech is famous for the "man in the arena" quote, but the entire speech is an absolute must read.

Let the man of learning, the man of lettered leisure, beware of that queer and cheap temptation to pose to himself and to others as a cynic, as the man who has outgrown emotions and beliefs, the man to whom good and evil are as one. The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer. There are many men who feel a kind of twister pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism of the way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt. There is no more unhealthy being, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, an attitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty, whether in achievement or in that noble effort which, even if it fails, comes to second achievement. A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticise work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life's realities - all these are marks, not as the possessor would fain to think, of superiority but of weakness. They mark the men unfit to bear their part painfully in the stern strife of living, who seek, in the affection of contempt for the achievements of others, to hide from others and from themselves in their own weakness. The rôle is easy; there is none easier, save only the rôle of the man who sneers alike at both criticism and performance. It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

May 13, 1940; House of Commons, London

Winston Churchill's first speech to the House of Commons as Britain's new Prime Minister got off to an auspicious start. His welcome to that assembly was quite tepid, while outgoing PM Neville Chamberlain was enthusiastically applauded (the world did not yet know just how disastrous his appeasement policies would prove and did not trust Churchill). But Churchill's first speech, the first of three powerful oratories he gave during the Battle of France, would prove that England was in more than capable hands. A seemingly unstoppable Hitler was advancing rapidly across Europe, and Churchill wasted no time in calling his people to arms. While TR had actually been the first to utter the phrase, "blood, sweat and tears," it was Churchill's use of these words that would leave an inedible and inspiring impression upon the world's mind.

Worthy Excerpt

I say to the House as I said to ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.

December 8, 1941; Washington, D.C.

The attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, shocked the United States to its core, outraging a nation that had hoped to stay out of the mounting turmoil in Asia and Europe. Overnight, the country united in desire to enter the war. The day after the attacks, FDR addressed the nation in a brief, but electrifying speech, declaring war on Japan and giving assurance that the United States would attain victory.

Be sure to listen to the audio of the speech. Imagine every American family, rattled and worried, listening around the radio to what their president would say. They knew their whole world was about to change forever. Listen to the reaction of Congress as they applaud and cheer FDR's words. The emotion is so very real and palatable; it truly transports you back to that critical moment in time.

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy -the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan..... But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounding determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God.

33 A.D.; Jerusalem

Whether one believes that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God or simply a wise teacher, it is impossible to deny the impact of perhaps the world's most famous speech: The Sermon on the Mount. No speech has been more pondered, more influential, or more quoted. It introduced a prayer now familiar the world over and uttered in trenches, churches, and bedsides around the globe. It introduced a code of conduct billions of believers have adopted as their lofty, if not not always attainable, goal. While much of the sermon has roots in Jewish law, the advice given in the Beatitudes represented a dramatic and radical departure from the eye for an eye system of justice known in the ancient world. The standards of behavior outlined in the sermon have given believers and non-believers alike plenty to contemplate and discuss in the two thousand years since it was given.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

See Matthew Chapter 5-7 for full text.

August 28, 1963; Washington, D.C.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech" is hands down one of the greatest, if not the greatest, pieces of oratory in American history. King's charisma, skills in rhetoric, and passion, place him in a league of his own. A century after slavery ended, a century after African-Americans were promised full equality, black children were being hosed down in the streets, spat upon, bused to separate schools, turned away from restaurants, and denied treatment as full human beings. In this midst of this egregious track record, Dr. King voiced a clear, compelling message of hope, a dream that things would not always be as they were, and that a new day was coming.

Many people have seen excerpts of the speech, but a surprisingly number of adults my age I have never sat down and watched the speech in its entirety. I challenge you to do just that. It is just as electrifying and moving today as it was in 1963.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my father's died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!"

Listen to the speech here .

November 19, 1863; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

272 words. 3 minutes long. Yet, the Gettysburg Address is unarguably one of the greatest pieces of rhetoric in American history. Dr. J Rufus Fears (one of the great modern orators) argues that the Gettysburg Address, along with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, form the three founding documents of American freedom. And I have to agree.

The Battle of Gettysburg left 8,000 men dead. The bodies were too numerous to bury properly and many were at first placed in shallow graves. Weeks after the battle, heads and arms were sticking up through the ground and the smell of rotting flesh was sickening.

Money was raised for a proper reburial, and it was decided that the new cemetery should be dedicated, to sweeten the air of Gettysburg, to solemnize this place of death. As was traditional, a great orator, in this case, Edward Everett, was asked to give a solemn and grand speech as a memorial to the fallen men. Lincoln was asked 2 months later, almost as a causal afterthought. He was to add a few remarks to Everett's, a function much like the man with the ceremonial scissors who cuts the ribbon. Legends has it that Lincoln's remarks were the product of pure inspiration, penned on the back of an envelope on the train chugging its way to the soon-to-be hallowed grounds of Gettysburg.

On the day of the dedication, Everett kept the crowd enthralled for a full two hours. Lincoln got up, gave his speech, and sat down even before the photographer had finished setting up for a picture. There was a long pause before anyone applauded, and then the applause was scattered and polite.

Not everyone immediately realized the magnificence of Lincoln's address. But some did. In a letter to Lincoln, Everett praised the President for his eloquent and concise speech, saying, "I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."

And of course, in time, we have come to fully appreciate the genius and beauty of the words spoken that day. Dr. Fears argues that Lincoln's address did more than memorialize the fallen soldiers at Gettysburg; it accomplished nothing short of transforming the entire meaning of the Civil War. There were no details of the battle mentioned in the speech, no mentioning of soldier's names, of Gettysburg itself, of the South nor the Union, states rights nor secession. Rather, Lincoln meant the speech to be something far larger, a discourse on the experiment testing whether government can maintain the proposition of equality. At Gettysburg, the Constitution experienced a transformation. The first birth has been tainted by slavery. The men, of both North and South, lying in the graves at Gettysburg had made an atoning sacrifice for this great evil. And the Constitution would be reborn, this time living up to its promises of freedom and equality for all.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

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Best batting average of all time: Top MLB hitters by career average, best in a season

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What is the highest batting average in MLB history? While the stat has seemingly become outdated with the rise of analytics, baseball fans everywhere still love diving into the numbers. Below, we examine plenty of MLB stats that capture the greatness of baseball’s best players ever and in 2021.

Let’s dive into the MLB record books for the highest averages in a single season, baseball history and examine where the game is headed.

Best batting average in a season

• Nap Lajoie – .426 batting average (1901)
• Roger Hornsby – .424 batting average (1924)
• Ty Cobb – .420 batting average (1911)
• George Sisler – .420 batting average (1922)
• Ty Cobb – .409 batting average (1912)

Highest batting average in a season since 2000

• Todd Helton – .372 (2000)
• Nomar Garciaparra – .372 (2000)
• Ichiro Suzuki – .372 (2004)
• Barry Bonds – .370 (2002)
• Joe Mauer – .365 (2009)
• Chipper Jones – .364 (2008)
• DJ LeMahieu – .364 (2020)
• Magglio Ordonez – .363 (2007)
• Barry Bonds – .362 (2004)
• Josh Hamilton – .359 (2010)

Best batting average by season

• 2024: Bobby Witt Jr, Kansas City Royals – .350
• 2023: Luis Arraez, Miami Marlins – .354
• 2022: Jeff McNeil, New York Mets – .326
• 2021: Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers – .328
• 2020: DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees – .364 (50 games)
• 2019: Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox – .335
• 2018: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox – .346
• 2017: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros – .346
• 2016: DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies – .348
• 2015: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – .338
• 2014: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros – .241
• 2013: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – .348
• 2012: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants – .336
• 2011: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – .344
• 2010: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers – .359
• 2009: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins – .365
• 2008: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves – .364
• 2007: Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers – .363
• 2006: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins – .347
• 2005: Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs – .335
• 2004: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners – .372
• 2003: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals – .359
• 2002: Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants – .370

What is the best batting average in an MLB career?

When fans debate who is the best hitter of all time, the discussion usually centers on Hall of Famers like Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Tony Gwynn and Roger Hornsby. There are other names worth of consideration, like Shoeless Joe Jackson and Barry Bonds, but they come with on-field controversy that impacts their legacies.

One popular method of determining the best MLB hitter ever is how often they came through with a hit. It eliminates the likes of Bonds (.298), Babe Ruth (.342), among others. So, which Hall of Famer holds the record for highest career avg.

Unsurprisingly, it’s Ty Cobb. The infamous ballplayer was a hitting machine, posting an incredible .366 average across 13,103 plate appearances during his career. He reached that number thanks to nine seasons with a .380-plus average and three years clearing the .400 mark. Consistent all the way, Cobb’s lowest mark came in his rookie season with an ugly .238/.286/.298 slash line. After that, he was a force the rest of the way and even combined for a .343 average across his age-40 and 41 seasons.

As for Cobb’s closest competition, Oscar Charleston retired with the second-best batting average in baseball history (.364). Hornsby comes in third (.359) and Shoeless Joe Jackson is fourth (.356).

Related: MLB schedule

Tony Gwynn retired with a .338 batting average, ranking 22nd in MLB history but fourth among players with 10,000-plus plate appearances.

Who has the highest batting average in a season?

Many of the best hitters in MLB history earned their places with various milestones, but batting average is always seen as one of the most familiar and popular stats. It’s a simple statistic, tracked for nearly as long as the game has been played, simply finding out how many hits a player recorded in their at-bats.

As baseball fans might expect, the highest batting average in a single season doesn’t come from recent times. Since 1970, the best average came in 1994 when Tony Gwynn posted a .394/.454/.568 slash line with the San Diego Padres.

The legendary outfielder had a shot at the first .400 season since Ted Williams posted a .406 average in 1941, but the MLB strike wiped away any shot at history. In more recent times, Todd Helton and Nomar Garciaparra tied for the highest single-season average (.372) since 2000.

But the all-time single-season record for batting average is credited to New York Cubans outfielder Tetlo Vargas, a star in the Negro League, who posted a .471 average in 1943. Incredibly, it was his final recorded season as he retired after his age-38 season.

However, that only came in 136 documented plate appearances. Expanding further, Homestead Grays catcher Josh Gibson posted a .466 average across 302 plate appearances in 1943. It was the third time he posted a .400-plus average.

In MLB history, the record for single-season average is credited to Boston Beaneaters outfielder Hugh Duffy. Across 606 plate appearances during the 1894 season, he posted a .440 batting average.

Since the live ball era, which began for MLB in 1920, Roger Hornsby leads with a .424 average in the 1924 season.

Batting average leaders

Here are the MLB leaders for the single-season batting average.

Major League Baseball officially recognized Negro League stats as part of its official record book in December 2020, adding many baseball legends to the single-season leaders for batting averages.

Below is a leaderboard for the highest career batting averages in MLB history.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera is the active leader in career batting average (.308), with Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve second (.3069) and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout third (.3029). In MLB history, Cabrera ranks 122nd in average. If he retired before the 2018 season, Cabrera would’ve had a career .316 average.

Best batting average 2022

New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil posted the highest MLB batting average in 2022, posting a .326 average during the regular season. He just beat out Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman who posted a .325 batting average.

What was the best batting average in 2021?

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Trea Turner, acquired at the MLB trade deadline , won the NL batting title this past season and led MLB with the highest batting average in 2021.

• Trea Turner stats: .328/.375/.536, 28 home runs, 32 stolen bases, 195 hits, 319 total bases

The 28-year-old faced some competition from Frank Scwindel, who spent the majority of his 2021 campaign with the Chicago Cubs. But while Schwindel’s average (326) fell just behind Turner (.328), the NL MVP candidate finished with 353 more at-bats than Schwindel.

Notably, Turner’s average at the plate falls significantly behind other recent batting champions. New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMagieu led MLB in batting average during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, posting a .364 BA. In that 60-game season, five players finished with a higher average than Turner in 2021.

In 2019, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson led MLB with a .335 BA and Turner’s current teammate Mookie Betts posted an MLB-high .346 average in 2018. Below, we dive into the recent downward trajectory of hits and BA across baseball.

What is a batting average?

Batting average is a statistic used in baseball, softball and cricket to measure how a hitter performs. You can calculate it by taking the number of total hits divided by the number of at bats.

What is a good batting average?

As pitchers have increased their velocities in recent years and become more aggressive in pursuing strikeouts, we’ve also seen hitters make adjustments. But the changes made by batters are focused on emphasizing power, driving the ball out at a higher exit velocity and with a higher launch angle to increase the odds of a home run. As a result, the yearly batting average across MLB is dropping.

• Average MLB batting average in 2006: .269
• Average MLB batting average in 2009: .262
• Average MLB batting average in 2016: .255
• Average MLB batting average in 2020: .245
• Average MLB batting average in 2021: .244
• Average MLB batting average in 2022: .243
• Average MLB batting average in 2023: .248

Unsurprisingly, strikeout rates are spiking dramatically during this new era with at-bats largely becoming the three true outcome at-bats (strikeout, walk or home run). As a result, while a .270 average in 2010 would have been viewed as a positive mark, we now could view a .265 BA as a solid rate for a hitter.

The declining MLB average by year is why baseball made changes to ban the shift and found new ways to increase the amount of balls hit into play. It could result in the league-wide batting average eclipsing .250 for the first time since 2016.

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