“You just know where to put the ball. You just feel it. It has been computed into your brain so many times ­ it is there.”

I wanted to use sports for social change.

The trouble with being number one in the world – in anything- is that it takes a certain mentality to attain that position, and that is something of a driving, perfectionist attitude, so that once you do achieve number one, you don’t relax and enjoy it.

The old boy network is still very strong and very true. Just look at the stock exchange and how many men and women are there. It is still very much run by men.

Don’t be afraid to hit the ball.

There’s no promises in any entrepreneurial business. You have to really work hard every year and also try to envision where you want to go in the future at the same time.

When I was outed, it was like, That’s done.

Sports are a microcosm of society.

A girl didn’t get an athletic scholarship until the fall of 1972 for the very first time.

Champions take responsibility.

I will tell you King’s First Law of Recognition: You never get it when you want it, and then when it comes, you get too much.

In 1973, a woman could not get a credit card without her husband or father or a male signing off on it.

I always liked co-ed events best so we have two men and two women on each team.

Pressure is a privilege … it’s what you do with it that matters.

I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.

Some people do have softer boundaries.

It’s really impossible for athletes to grow up. On the one hand, you’re still a child, still playing a game. But on the other hand, you’re a superhuman hero that everyone dreams of being. No wonder we have such a hard time understanding who we are.

I can catch the ball. You’ve got to throw it to me.

Byrd has always been that kind of pitcher.

I was watching Monster’s Ball, which is a fabulous movie. It’s just a little gem: beautifully shot, and shot in a way I never would have done.

Point the ball on all long shots.

Trying to trick you, keep the ball low, in and out.

The gods play games with men as balls.

His idol was a guy that passed the ball a lot, Stanley Matthews.

I’m not scared at all… Of the cracks in the crystal ball.