New York City has been home to some of the greatest athletes in the history of sports, and the legends who have played for its teams have left an indelible mark not only on the city but on the entire world. From the baseball diamonds of Yankee Stadium to the hardwood of Madison Square Garden, these sports icons have inspired generations with their dedication, talent, and wisdom.
- Babe Ruth (New York Yankees): “The only real game, I think, in the world is baseball.”
- Derek Jeter (New York Yankees): “There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”
- Joe Namath (New York Jets): “When you win, nothing hurts.”
- Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants): “I don’t have to play football. I don’t have to work. I don’t have to do anything but live my life.”
- Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks): “I’ve been a leader practically my whole career. I’ve led teams. I’ve been the leader of the Knicks and everything I’ve done in life.”
- Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees): “It’s unbelievable how much you don’t know about the game you’ve been playing all your life.”
- Mark Messier (New York Rangers): “I think I’m a better player now than I was when I was 25 years old.”
- Willis Reed (New York Knicks): “You do what you have to do, to do what you want to do.”
- Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers): “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
- Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees): “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
- Tom Seaver (New York Mets): “The concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.”
- Yogi Berra (New York Yankees): “Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.”
- Joe DiMaggio (New York Yankees): “A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example.”
- Bill Parcells (New York Giants): “If you don’t know, then ask an old-timer. Because they sure as hell know where it is.”
- Eli Manning (New York Giants): “I’m going to try to be the best quarterback I can be and help my team win football games.”
- Walt Frazier (New York Knicks): “If you’re not talking, you’re not playing defense.”
- Don Mattingly (New York Yankees): “You don’t have to be the best at something to be the best in the world.”
- Reggie Jackson (New York Yankees): “Fans don’t boo nobodies.”
- Peyton Manning (New York Giants): “The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable.”
- Julius Erving (New York Nets): “Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”