--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These are uncertain times. We cannot be…" description: "\"These are uncertain times. We cannot be content to rest on yesterday's laurels. These are times when we must strengthen rather than let down those stan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/branch-rickey-12234_baseball_these-are-uncertain-times-we-cannot-be-c_1884091.png" --- # These are uncertain times. We cannot be content to rest on… ![“These are uncertain times. We cannot be content to rest on yesterday's laurels. These are times when we must strengthen rather than let down those standards which have stood in such good stead in crises that are past. Baseball cannot be selfish, or irresponsible, or lax. Neither can the men who…” quote by Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/branch-rickey-12234_baseball_these-are-uncertain-times-we-cannot-be-c_1884091.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/branch-rickey-12234_baseball_these-are-uncertain-times-we-cannot-be-c_1884091.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/branch-rickey-12234_baseball_these-are-uncertain-times-we-cannot-be-c_1884091.png) > “These are uncertain times. We cannot be content to rest on yesterday's laurels. These are times when we must strengthen rather than let down those standards which have stood in such good stead in crises that are past. Baseball cannot be selfish, or irresponsible, or lax. Neither can the men who operate it.” [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In uncertain times, standards must be upheld and strengthened, not relaxed. **In simple terms:** Maintain high standards during crises. Key Takeaway Uerve integrity. Themes sports ethics leadership Mood reflective determined Type sports motivational When to use this quote - team management - policy enforcement - public expectations Key Concepts integrity standards crisis management Questions to Reflect On - How to balance tradition with change? - When should standards be adjusted? A Different Perspective Rigid standards may hinder adaptability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Being selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-selfish/) [Crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crisis/) [Laurels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laurels/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Uncertain times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertain-times/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) ## Related quotes > [“For myself I can say that, having had every good thing that money can buy, an experience like another, I could part without a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/for-myself-i-can-say-that-having-had-every-good-thing-that-money-can/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [In these uncertain times, I know 100 percent that I can stake my life on the unshakeable, unchanging promises of God!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-walsh/in-these-uncertain-times-i-know-100-percent-that-i-can-stake-my-life/) [Sheila Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-walsh/) > [In uncertain times, it is of heightened importance that our elected representatives exercise their democratic duty and use all levers at parliament's disposal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-miller/in-uncertain-times-it-is-of-heightened-importance-that-our-elected/) [Gina Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-miller/) > [Sustainability is a seemingly laudable goal - it tells us we need to live within our means, whether economic, ecological, or political - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamais-cascio/sustainability-is-a-seemingly-laudable-goal-it-tells-us-we-need-to/) [Jamais Cascio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamais-cascio/) > [In this very uncertain time for the media, serious investigative reporting - the expensive, time-consuming stuff - is under enormous pressure at newspapers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-jones/in-this-very-uncertain-time-for-the-media-serious-investigative/) [Alex Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-jones/) > [“Ah yes, we live in uncertain times,” I chip in. “Life is a five-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle with no picture to follow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-groen/ah-yes-we-live-in-uncertain-times-i-chip-in-life-is-a-five-thousand/) [Hendrik Groen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-groen/) > [“The high principles of Masonry were particularly welcome in the uncertain times leading up to the Revolution. American society was struggling with conflicting political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wasserman/the-high-principles-of-masonry-were-particularly-welcome-in-the/) [James Wasserman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wasserman/) > [The future is uncertain... but this uncertainty is at the very heart of human creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-prigogine/the-future-is-uncertain-but-this-uncertainty-is-at-the-very-heart-of/) [Ilya Prigogine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-prigogine/) > [“In these dark and uncertain times, there can be great value in imagining a bit of star in each human soul. Not just that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-meade/in-these-dark-and-uncertain-times-there-can-be-great-value-in/) [Michael Meade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-meade/) > [“These are uncertain times, so it’s very important to reach out and remind people what they mean to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-j-forde/these-are-uncertain-times-so-it-s-very-important-to-reach-out-and/) [Charmaine J Forde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-j-forde/) > [In strange and uncertain times such as those we are living in, sometimes a reasonable person might despair. But hope is unreasonable and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/in-strange-and-uncertain-times-such-as-those-we-are-living-in/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [When you break it all down, my punk rock is my dad's blues. It's music from the underground, and it's real, and it's written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/when-you-break-it-all-down-my-punk-rock-is-my-dad-s-blues-it-s-music/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [In these troubled, uncertain times, we don't need more command and control; we need better means to engage everyone's intelligence in solving challenges and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-these-troubled-uncertain-times-we-don-t-need-more-command-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the more you have a generalist perspective, I think sometimes the more you can kind of see through the forest and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-case/i-think-the-more-you-have-a-generalist-perspective-i-think-sometimes/) [Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-case/) > [“Where the Divine and the Human Meet" shows how important it is to meet the world with the creativity of an artist, particularly in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/where-the-divine-and-the-human-meet-shows-how-important-it-is-to-meet/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) ## More by Branch Rickey > [Don't worry about your individual numbers. Worry about the team. If the team is successful, each of you will be successful, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/don-t-worry-about-your-individual-numbers-worry-about-the-team-if-the/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/it-is-not-the-honor-that-you-take-with-you-but-the-heritage-you-leave/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/thou-shalt-not-steal-i-mean-defensively-on-offense-indeed-thou-shall/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Don't look at the hole in the doughnut. Look at the whole doughnut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/don-t-look-at-the-hole-in-the-doughnut-look-at-the-whole-doughnut/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Ethnic prejudice has no place in sports, and baseball must recognize that truth if it is to maintain stature as a national game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/ethnic-prejudice-has-no-place-in-sports-and-baseball-must-recognize/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [We win if the world is convinced of two things, that you are a fine gentleman, and a great baseball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/we-win-if-the-world-is-convinced-of-two-things-that-you-are-a-fine/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Luck is the residue of opportunity and design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/luck-is-the-residue-of-opportunity-and-design/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [When (Rube) Waddell had control and some sleep, he was unbeatable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/when-rube-waddell-had-control-and-some-sleep-he-was-unbeatable/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Leisure is the handmaiden of the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/leisure-is-the-handmaiden-of-the-devil/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Luck is a residue of design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/luck-is-a-residue-of-design/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Fill in any figure you want for that boy (Mickey Mantle). Whatever the figure, it's a deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/fill-in-any-figure-you-want-for-that-boy-mickey-mantle-whatever-the/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [Worry is simply thinking the same thing over and over again and not doing anything about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/worry-is-simply-thinking-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-and-not/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [I am alarmed at the subtle invasion of professional football, which is gaining preeminence over baseball. It's unthinkable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/i-am-alarmed-at-the-subtle-invasion-of-professional-football-which-is/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [ Some day I'm going to have to stand before God, and if He asks me why I didn't let that \[Jackie\] Robinson fellow play… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/some-day-i-m-going-to-have-to-stand-before-god-and-if-he-asks-me-why/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [The only thing Abner Doubleday ever started was the Civil War.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/the-only-thing-abner-doubleday-ever-started-was-the-civil-war/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) [Explore all 54 Branch Rickey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) ## More Baseball quotes > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. I never wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-perry/i-d-always-have-grease-in-at-least-two-places-in-case-the-umpires/) [Gaylord Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-perry/) > [When you're in the middle of a pennant race, you can't go up there thinking about home runs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-sosa/when-you-re-in-the-middle-of-a-pennant-race-you-can-t-go-up-there/) [Sammy Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-sosa/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-banks/spring-training-means-flowers-people-coming-outdoors-sunshine/) [Ernie Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-banks/) > [Pitchers pitch differently. Hitters, hardly anyone has the same stance. That's just how it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-zimmerman/pitchers-pitch-differently-hitters-hardly-anyone-has-the-same-stance/) [Ryan Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-zimmerman/) > [Five World Series rings, 3000-plus hits, the fame, the fortune and playing for the second most historic franchise in baseball... These are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mookie-betts/five-world-series-rings-3000-plus-hits-the-fame-the-fortune-and/) [Mookie Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mookie-betts/) > [I don't want the electronic strike zone. I like the element of sometimes pitches don't get called. Guys don't receive it well or whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/i-don-t-want-the-electronic-strike-zone-i-like-the-element-of/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [I sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium - at a baseball game - which was crazy; there was, like, 60,000 people there, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-sang-the-national-anthem-at-dodger-stadium-at-a-baseball-game-which/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [If I was going to make one rule change, I would bring the DH to the National League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brett/if-i-was-going-to-make-one-rule-change-i-would-bring-the-dh-to-the/) [George Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brett/) > [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [I'll tell you what's helped me my entire life. I look at baseball as a game. It's something where people can go out, enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-caray/i-ll-tell-you-what-s-helped-me-my-entire-life-i-look-at-baseball-as-a/) [Harry Caray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-caray/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [What we should have done is kept the same team that played in the '95 World Series. Those trades (Eddie Murray & Carlos Baerga)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-belle/what-we-should-have-done-is-kept-the-same-team-that-played-in-the-95/) [Albert Belle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-belle/) > [“I can buy baseball cards to view an entire career on the back of a little square of cardboard. But nobody sells major league…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg-jr/i-can-buy-baseball-cards-to-view-an-entire-career-on-the-back-of-a/) [John Ortberg Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg-jr/) > [The wind always seems to blow against catchers when they are running.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-garagiola/the-wind-always-seems-to-blow-against-catchers-when-they-are-running/) [Joe Garagiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-garagiola/) [Browse all 7,461 Baseball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "These are uncertain times. 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