I could ask the Phillies to keep me on to add to my statistics, but my love for the game won’t let me do that.
Meaning of the quote
Mike Schmidt, a famous American athlete, is saying that even though he could ask his team, the Phillies, to keep him playing just to boost his personal statistics, his genuine love for the game of baseball is more important to him. He cares more about enjoying the sport he loves than just trying to improve his own numbers.
About Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt was a legendary American baseball player who spent his entire 18-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Known for his powerful hitting and exceptional defense, Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star, 3-time National League MVP, and a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest third basemen in MLB history.
More quotes from Mike Schmidt
I don’t think I can get into my deep inner thoughts about hitting. It’s like talking about religion.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
They read their sports pages, know their statistics and either root like hell or boo our butts off. I love it. Give me vocal fans, pro or con, over the tourist types who show up in Houston or Montreal and just sit there.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
Pete Rose is the most likable arrogant person I’ve ever met.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
Any time you think you have the game conquered, the game will turn around and punch you right in the nose.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
Virtually every civilized society today holds sacred the right to peaceably bury their dead.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
If you could equate the amount of time and effort put in mentally and physically into succeeding on the baseball field and measured it by the dirt on your uniform, mine would have been black.
American professional baseball player, third baseman
I could ask the Phillies to keep me on to add to my statistics, but my love for the game won’t let me do that.
American professional baseball player, third baseman