How you play the game is for college ball. When you’re playing for money, winning is the only thing that matters.

Meaning of the quote

The quote is saying that when you're playing professionally and trying to earn money, the only thing that really matters is winning the game, not how you play it. In college, it's more about having fun and learning the game. But when you're a professional and your job and livelihood depend on it, you have to focus on winning above all else, even if it means not playing in the most exciting or graceful way.

About Leo Durocher

Leo Durocher, nicknamed “Leo the Lip” and “Lippy,” was an American professional baseball player, manager, and coach who had a controversial and outspoken career spanning over 50 years. He ranks fifth all-time among managers with 2,008 career victories and was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

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More quotes from Leo Durocher

God watches over drunks and third baseman.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

I made a game effort to argue but two things were against me: the umpires and the rules.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Give me some scratching, diving, hungry ballplayers who come to kill you.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Some guys are admired for coming to play, as the saying goes. I prefer those who come to kill.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Winning is a habit.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

In the olden days, the umpire didn’t have to take any courses in mind reading. The pitcher told you he was going to throw at you.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

As long as I’ve got a chance to beat you I’m going to take it.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

What are we out at the park for, except to win?

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

You argue with the umpire because there is nothing else you can do about it.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

I never did say that you can’t be a nice guy and win. I said that if I was playing third base and my mother rounded third with the winning run, I’d trip her up.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

How you play the game is for college ball. When you’re playing for money, winning is the only thing that matters.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

I believe in rules. Sure I do. If there weren’t any rules, how could you break them?

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Win any way you can as long as you can get away with it.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

You can’t get any pictures from way back there.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

I never questioned the integrity of an umpire. Their eyesight, yes.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Nice guys finish last.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

If you don’t win, you’re going to be fired. If you do win, you’ve only put off the day you’re going to be fired.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Show me a good loser and I’ll show you an idiot.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

There are only five things you can do in baseball – run, throw, catch, hit and hit with power.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Baseball is like church. Many attend few understand.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

I come to win.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Buy a steak for a player on another club after the game, but don’t even speak to him on the field. Get out there and beat them to death.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

Nobody ever won a pennant without a star shortstop.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach

You don’t save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain.

Leo Durocher

American baseball player and coach