Paige's 1949 Bowman Gum baseball card, during his tenure with the Indians

Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982) was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first player to be inducted from the Negro leagues.

Quotes

• There ain't no man can avoid being born average. But there ain't no man got to be common.
  • "Words of the Week" Jet (Sep 4, 1958)

• Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
  If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
  Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
  Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society— the social ramble ain't restful.
  Avoid running at all times.
  And don't look back— something might be gaining on you.
  • "How to Stay Young" Collier's Magazine (13 June 1953)

• Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.
  • New York Post (4 October 1959)

• Don't go to college, unless to get knowledge.
  • "Telfer campaign" (March 2003)

• I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation.
  • New York Times (June 9, 1982)

• They said I was the greatest pitcher they ever saw... I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t give me no justice.
  • New York Times (June 9, 1982)

• I ain't as fast as I used to be, but I'm a better pitcher. I used to overpower them; now I out-cute them.
  • "The Independent," (St. Petersburg, Florida, July 8, 1948)

External links

• Satchel Paige Home Page
• Baseball Hall of Fame