---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody…"
description: "\"When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.\" — Willie Mays"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/willie-mays-14362_hitting_when-i-m-not-hitting-i-don-t-hit-nobody_264128.jpg"
---

#  When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm…

![“When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.” quote by Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/willie-mays-14362_hitting_when-i-m-not-hitting-i-don-t-hit-nobody_264128.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/willie-mays-14362_hitting_when-i-m-not-hitting-i-don-t-hit-nobody_264128.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/507/willie-mays-14362_hitting_when-i-m-not-hitting-i-don-t-hit-nobody_264128.jpg)

> “When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But, when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.”

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

## About This Quote

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

He contrasts his disciplined approach when playing with his relaxed attitude off the field, emphasizing focus during action.

**In simple terms:** Focus when playing, relaxed otherwise.

Key Takeaway

Maintain discipline during performance.

Themes

focus discipline performance mindset

Mood

determined confident

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- competitive games
- training sessions
- high‑pressure situations

Key Concepts

sports psychology work ethic balance

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you separate work and leisure?
- What strategies keep you focused during play?

A Different Perspective

Off‑field behavior may affect reputation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [It's not hard. When I'm not hitting, I don't hit nobody. But when I'm hitting, I hit anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/it-s-not-hard-when-i-m-not-hitting-i-don-t-hit-nobody-but-when-i-m/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [If your going to get in trouble for hitting someone, you mine as well hit them hard:)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-s-girl/if-your-going-to-get-in-trouble-for-hitting-someone-you-mine-as-well/)

Michael's\_girl

> [Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/don-t-hit-at-all-if-it-is-honorably-possible-to-avoid-hitting-but/)

[Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/)

> [There are certain things I can't do, certain pitches I can't hit. You stay away from them. You try to wait for pitches you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chili-davis/there-are-certain-things-i-can-t-do-certain-pitches-i-can-t-hit-you/)

[Chili Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chili-davis/)

> [In football, you're hitting, so you might as well hit in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-mankins/in-football-you-re-hitting-so-you-might-as-well-hit-in-practice/)

[Logan Mankins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-mankins/)

> [If you're going to get in trouble for hitting someone, might as well hit them hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-styles/if-you-re-going-to-get-in-trouble-for-hitting-someone-might-as-well/)

[Harry Styles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-styles/)

> [A lot of hitters stay away from the plate, some are close up, some are forward, some are back. The thing about hitting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-musial/a-lot-of-hitters-stay-away-from-the-plate-some-are-close-up-some-are/)

[Stan Musial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-musial/)

> [There's always one shot that I can rely on when I'm not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/there-s-always-one-shot-that-i-can-rely-on-when-i-m-not-hitting-the/)

[Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/)

> [We are going to die, as is everyone we adore - I hate this! But the question is, how do we live as women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/we-are-going-to-die-as-is-everyone-we-adore-i-hate-this-but-the/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [Rita folded her arms around herself and peered up at me. “If you’d asked me three months ago I’d have said you were hitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-e-murphy/rita-folded-her-arms-around-herself-and-peered-up-at-me-if-you-d/)

[C.E. Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-e-murphy/)

> [I liked wrestling a lot better than boxing. I remember thinking at that time that wrestling was a pure demonstration of strength, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-carpenter/i-liked-wrestling-a-lot-better-than-boxing-i-remember-thinking-at/)

[Scott Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-carpenter/)

> [I like hitting first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-tatis-jr/i-like-hitting-first/)

[Fernando Tatis Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-tatis-jr/)

> [The state of radio is not great. It's like playing the lottery. The chances of hitting are mind boggling slim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-thompson/the-state-of-radio-is-not-great-it-s-like-playing-the-lottery-the/)

[Teddy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-thompson/)

> [My real name's McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys. They all want a pipe-hitting member of the tribe, so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul/my-real-name-s-mcgill-the-jew-thing-i-just-do-for-the-homeboys-they/)

[Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

## More by Willie Mays

> [I'm not the type of guy to go out and just say, 'Hey, I'm raising my fist to do this and do that.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-m-not-the-type-of-guy-to-go-out-and-just-say-hey-i-m-raising-my/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I didn't say I was that smart, I said I went to class and I enjoyed what I was doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-didn-t-say-i-was-that-smart-i-said-i-went-to-class-and-i-enjoyed/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I don't mean to be bashful, but I was](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-don-t-mean-to-be-bashful-but-i-was/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [Youngsters of Little League can survive undercoaching a lot better than overcoaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/youngsters-of-little-league-can-survive-undercoaching-a-lot-better/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I was a baseball player, I taught baseball, and all of a sudden I was in the business world. Now I used the baseball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-was-a-baseball-player-i-taught-baseball-and-all-of-a-sudden-i-was/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, is what makes the biggest difference of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/what-you-are-thinking-what-shape-your-mind-is-in-is-what-makes-the/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-think-i-was-the-best-baseball-player-i-ever-saw/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I think I was programmed to do good things when I came into the majors. I knew how to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-think-i-was-programmed-to-do-good-things-when-i-came-into-the/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I always enjoyed playing ball, and it didn't matter to me whether I played with white kids or black. I never understood why an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-always-enjoyed-playing-ball-and-it-didn-t-matter-to-me-whether-i/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [And my father didn't have money for me to go to college. And at that particular time they didn't have black quarterbacks, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/and-my-father-didn-t-have-money-for-me-to-go-to-college-and-at-that/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [Congratulations to Alex Rodriguez on his 660th home run, milestones in baseball are meant to be broken and I wish him continued success throughout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/congratulations-to-alex-rodriguez-on-his-660th-home-run-milestones-in/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/at-ten-i-was-playing-against-18-year-old-guys-at-15-i-was-playing/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I don't know what Joe (DiMaggio) wanted (in regards to being called 'the greatest living ballplayer'), but I don't have a problem, if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-don-t-know-what-joe-dimaggio-wanted-in-regards-to-being-called-the/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [I didn't teach you that. Catch the ball with your glove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/i-didn-t-teach-you-that-catch-the-ball-with-your-glove/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

> [Yes, I had to learn how to live life outside, but I had so many people help me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/yes-i-had-to-learn-how-to-live-life-outside-but-i-had-so-many-people/)

[Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

[Explore all 47 Willie Mays quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/)

## More Hitting quotes

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [My real name's McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys. They all want a pipe-hitting member of the tribe, so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul/my-real-name-s-mcgill-the-jew-thing-i-just-do-for-the-homeboys-they/)

[Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul/)

> [The state of radio is not great. It's like playing the lottery. The chances of hitting are mind boggling slim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-thompson/the-state-of-radio-is-not-great-it-s-like-playing-the-lottery-the/)

[Teddy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-thompson/)

> [I like hitting first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-tatis-jr/i-like-hitting-first/)

[Fernando Tatis Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-tatis-jr/)

> [I liked wrestling a lot better than boxing. I remember thinking at that time that wrestling was a pure demonstration of strength, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-carpenter/i-liked-wrestling-a-lot-better-than-boxing-i-remember-thinking-at/)

[Scott Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-carpenter/)

> [Rita folded her arms around herself and peered up at me. “If you’d asked me three months ago I’d have said you were hitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-e-murphy/rita-folded-her-arms-around-herself-and-peered-up-at-me-if-you-d/)

[C.E. Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-e-murphy/)

> [We are going to die, as is everyone we adore - I hate this! But the question is, how do we live as women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/we-are-going-to-die-as-is-everyone-we-adore-i-hate-this-but-the/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [There's always one shot that I can rely on when I'm not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/there-s-always-one-shot-that-i-can-rely-on-when-i-m-not-hitting-the/)

[Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/)

> [A lot of hitters stay away from the plate, some are close up, some are forward, some are back. The thing about hitting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-musial/a-lot-of-hitters-stay-away-from-the-plate-some-are-close-up-some-are/)

[Stan Musial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-musial/)

> [They say hitting is contagious, but I think defense is, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-crawford/they-say-hitting-is-contagious-but-i-think-defense-is-too/)

[Brandon Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-crawford/)

> [I was one of the hardest-hitting conservatives on George W. Bush. Republicans didn't like me on George W. Bush. Republicans still don't like me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/i-was-one-of-the-hardest-hitting-conservatives-on-george-w-bush/)

[Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/)

> [People have the idea of missionaries as going out with the Bible and hitting natives with it. It's not really what they were doing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/people-have-the-idea-of-missionaries-as-going-out-with-the-bible-and/)

[Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/)

> [“The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed subcategory. He’s got esprit up to here. Right now, he is preparing to carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/the-deliverator-belongs-to-an-elite-order-a-hallowed-subcategory-he-s/)

[Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/)

> [An hour and thirty-one minutes after launch, my pressure altimeter halts at 103,300 feet. At ground control the radar altimeters also have stopped-on readings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-kittinger/an-hour-and-thirty-one-minutes-after-launch-my-pressure-altimeter/)

Joseph Kittinger

> [Obviously, we can hit home runs, but there's more to hitting and there's more to winning than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-arenado/obviously-we-can-hit-home-runs-but-there-s-more-to-hitting-and-there/)

[Nolan Arenado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-arenado/)

Browse all 940 Hitting quotes

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