Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is eighty percent of being a successful hitter. The other twenty percent is just execution.

Meaning of the quote

Hitting a baseball is all about guessing what the pitcher will throw. If you can guess the type of pitch correctly 80% of the time, you'll be a great hitter. The other 20% is just making solid contact with the ball. So the key to being a successful hitter is using your mind to predict the pitch, not just swinging as hard as you can.

About Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron was a legendary baseball player who held numerous records, including the most career home runs for over 30 years. He faced racism and discrimination during his career, but went on to have an illustrious career and be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. After his retirement, he continued to be involved with the Atlanta Braves organization.

More about the author

More quotes from Hank Aaron

Didn’t come up here to read. Came up here to hit.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you’re inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you’ve never seen before. If they do, I’m still looking for it.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

The triple is the most exciting play in baseball. Home runs win a lot of games, but I never understood why fans are so obsessed with them.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I don’t feel right unless I have a sport to play or at least a way to work up a sweat.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is eighty percent of being a successful hitter. The other twenty percent is just execution.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I’m hoping someday that some kid, black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is, I’d be pulling for him.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

You can only milk a cow so long, then you’re left holding the pail.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

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

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I don’t see pitches down the middle anymore – not even in batting practice.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball. All of the time. I never worried about the fastball. They couldn’t throw it past me, none of them.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

On the field, blacks have been able to be super giants. But, once our playing days are over, this is the end of it and we go back to the back of the bus again.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)

I never smile when I have a bat in my hands. That’s when you’ve got to be serious. When I get out on the field, nothing’s a joke to me. I don’t feel like I should walk around with a smile on my face.

Hank Aaron

American baseball player (1934-2021)