“Reading isn’t good for a ballplayer. Not good for his eyes. If my eyes went bad even a little bit I couldn’t hit home runs. So I gave up reading.”
- February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948
- American
- Professional Baseball Player, Hall of Famer, Sports Icon
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Quote
“Reading isn’t good for a ballplayer. Not good for his eyes. If my eyes went bad even a little bit I couldn’t hit home runs. So I gave up reading.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Babe Ruth’s single-minded dedication to his performance on the field, even at the expense of intellectual pursuits. Though the reasoning is scientifically flawed, Ruth’s statement reveals how much he valued his eyesight as a critical asset to his success. His decision to “give up reading” was not anti-intellectualism in the modern sense, but a practical—even superstitious—belief that any risk to his hitting ability wasn’t worth taking.
Ruth came from a working-class background and had limited formal education. His life revolved around baseball from a young age, and he saw the world through the lens of what would help or hinder his performance. At the time, understanding of vision and eye health was more rudimentary, and athletes often relied on gut instinct or folk wisdom. This quote also aligns with Ruth’s often exaggerated public persona—a man who lived boldly, spoke plainly, and sometimes embraced quirky beliefs if they suited his game.
In today’s context, the quote might seem humorous or naive, but it also highlights a deeper theme: the lengths to which people will go to protect what makes them exceptional. Athletes still adopt strange rituals or routines in the belief that they preserve performance. Ruth’s words are a window into a fiercely focused mindset, one that prized results over reason, and instinct over instruction—all in service of keeping his legendary swing intact.
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