---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never threw an illegal pitch. The…"
description: "\"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation.\" — Satchel Paige"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg"
---

#  I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a…

![“I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation.” quote by Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg)

> “I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation.”

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He claims never to have broken rules, yet admits occasionally using untested pitches, highlighting a paradox between integrity and innovation.

**In simple terms:** He says he never broke rules but sometimes used new pitches.

Key Takeaway

Balance honesty with creative risk‑taking.

Themes

sports integrity innovation

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

sports philosophical

When to use this quote

- baseball games
- coaching
- team strategy

Key Concepts

ethics risk tradition

Questions to Reflect On

- Is it ever acceptable to bend rules for progress?
- How do athletes reconcile tradition with new techniques?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Pitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitch/) [This generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-generation/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm not of this generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-manson/i-m-not-of-this-generation/)

[Charles Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-manson/)

> [Over the epitaph of this generation it will say ENTERTAINED TO DEATH.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/over-the-epitaph-of-this-generation-it-will-say-entertained-to-death/)

[Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/)

> [Perhaps the critics are right: this generation may not produce literature equal to that of any past generation-who cares? The writer will be dead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perhaps-the-critics-are-right-this-generation-may-not-produce/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Peter Joseph is asking the questions and proposing the possible solutions that we should be demanding from the elected leaders of this crazy world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/peter-joseph-is-asking-the-questions-and-proposing-the-possible/)

[Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/)

> [I'm Jewish, but my mom's Catholic, so the guilt area is covered. I have the highest expectations, along with the lowest. I tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stiller/i-m-jewish-but-my-mom-s-catholic-so-the-guilt-area-is-covered-i-have/)

[Ben Stiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stiller/)

> [Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-roddenberry/space-the-final-frontier-these-are-the-voyages-of-the-starship/)

[Gene Roddenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-roddenberry/)

> [Art schools are partly the villain here. (Never mind that I teach in them.) This generation of artists is the first to have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/art-schools-are-partly-the-villain-here-never-mind-that-i-teach-in/)

[Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/)

> [The world knows that America will never start a war. This generation of Americans has had enough of war and hate... we want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-world-knows-that-america-will-never-start-a-war-this-generation/)

[John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/)

> [The great thing about the dilemma we're in is that we get to re-imagine every single thing we do...There isn't a single thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/the-great-thing-about-the-dilemma-we-re-in-is-that-we-get-to-re/)

[Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/)

> [This generation I'm a member of, we're sort of infected by this idea that you had to make the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-ross-barney/this-generation-i-m-a-member-of-we-re-sort-of-infected-by-this-idea/)

[Carol Ross Barney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-ross-barney/)

> [This generation lacks true knowledge of how the past has trapped you with psychological lassos over Adam's apples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reks/this-generation-lacks-true-knowledge-of-how-the-past-has-trapped-you/)

Reks

> [I'm a fan boy when it comes to Michael Buble. He's just so good at 'it'. He's got a voice of this generation, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/i-m-a-fan-boy-when-it-comes-to-michael-buble-he-s-just-so-good-at-it/)

[Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/)

> [I believe in my heart that 'Avatar' is going to be the revolutionary sci-fi movie for this generation, in this era.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laz-alonso/i-believe-in-my-heart-that-avatar-is-going-to-be-the-revolutionary/)

[Laz Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laz-alonso/)

> [What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/what-really-distinguishes-this-generation-in-all-countries-from/)

[Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/)

> [When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/when-old-age-shall-this-generation-waste-thou-shalt-remain-in-midst/)

[John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/)

## More by Satchel Paige

> [Sometimes I sit and think and other times I just sit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/sometimes-i-sit-and-think-and-other-times-i-just-sit/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Don't eat fried food, it angries up the blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/don-t-eat-fried-food-it-angries-up-the-blood/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Work such as you will not have to have the money. Adore like you've got by no means been damage. Dance like nobody's seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/work-such-as-you-will-not-have-to-have-the-money-adore-like-you-ve/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [I may not be the bestest pitcher in the world, but I sure out-cutes 'em.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-may-not-be-the-bestest-pitcher-in-the-world-but-i-sure-out-cutes-em/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [It's funny what a few no-hitters do for a body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/it-s-funny-what-a-few-no-hitters-do-for-a-body/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Smokey Joe (Williams) could throw harder than anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/smokey-joe-williams-could-throw-harder-than-anyone/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [If you want to live a long time, don't fool with nothing old but money, nothing big but a bank roll, nothing black but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/if-you-want-to-live-a-long-time-don-t-fool-with-nothing-old-but-money/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [There never was a man on earth who pitched as much as me. But the more I pitched, the stronger my arm would get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/there-never-was-a-man-on-earth-who-pitched-as-much-as-me-but-the-more/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [I don't generally like running. I believe in training by rising gently up and down from the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-don-t-generally-like-running-i-believe-in-training-by-rising-gently/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/age-is-a-case-of-mind-over-matter-if-you-don-t-mind-it-don-t-matter/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/just-take-the-ball-and-throw-it-where-you-want-to-throw-strikes-home/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. Keep the juices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/avoid-fried-meats-which-angry-up-the-blood-if-your-stomach-disputes/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [I got a curve so sneaky it might be your daddy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-got-a-curve-so-sneaky-it-might-be-your-daddy/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [I use my single windup, my double windup, my triple windup, my hesitation windup, my no windup. I also use my step-n-pitch-it, my submariner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-use-my-single-windup-my-double-windup-my-triple-windup-my/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

> [Avoid fried foods, which angry up the blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/avoid-fried-foods-which-angry-up-the-blood/)

[Satchel Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

[Explore all 58 Satchel Paige quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/)

## 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 &amp; 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": "I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Satchel Paige"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-trouble-is-once-in-a-while-i-toss/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Baseball"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-trouble-is-once-in-a-while-i-toss/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/satchel-paige-11316_baseball_i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-troub_235036.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by…” — Satchel Paige",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Satchel Paige",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satchel-paige/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I never threw an illegal pitch....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-trouble-is-once-in-a-while-i-toss/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satchel-paige/i-never-threw-an-illegal-pitch-the-trouble-is-once-in-a-while-i-toss/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
