“If you’re injured, you don’t play; if you play, you’re not injured”
"If you’re injured, you don’t play; if you play, you’re not injured" has been credited to Australian tennis coach Harry Hopman (1906-1985). It's not known when he first said…
“In boxing, you fight over a belt and a purse”
Boxing between two men can have its less than manly moments. The two men are half-naked, wear silk shorts, and fight over a belt and a purse. American actor and writer John McGivern might have…
“In chess, black and pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends”
"In chess, white and black pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends" (or "In chess, black and pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move…
“In chess, white and black pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends”
"In chess, white and black pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends" (or "In chess, black and pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move…
“In chess, white and black pieces are the worst enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends”
"In chess, white and black pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move the pieces are usually good friends" (or "In chess, black and pieces are bitter enemies, but those who move…
“In hockey, goaltending is 75 percent of the game—unless it’s bad goaltending”
"In hockey, goaltending is 75 percent of the game. Unless it's bad goaltending. Then it's 100 percent of the game because you're going to lose" was credited to former…
“In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate”
"In life, unlike chess, the game continues after checkmate" is a proverb that American science fiction author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote in Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain…
“In the ballpark” (“In the ball park,” also “In the same ballpark,” “In the right ballpark”)
Wiktionary: in the ballparkPrepositional phrasein the ballpark1. (figuratively) In the same general vicinity (as); somewhat similar (to); typically construed with of. (Oxford English…
“In the playoffs, your best players have to be your best players”
"Your best players have to be your best players" is an old sports playoffs adage. In the playoffs, the rotations are shortened and the best players get the most playing time. The best…
“In the pool, life is cool, swimmers rule”
"In the pool, life is cool, swimmers rule" is a swimming saying that has been printed on many images. "In the pool, life is cool, In the pool, swimmers Rule" was posted on the…
“In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of baseball”
English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) wrote in "Locksley Hall": "In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Baseball's spring…
“In Welsh Scrabble, you lose points for using vowels”
The Welsh language is known -- incorrectly -- for its lack of vowels, and there are several Scrabble jokes. "In Welsh Scrabble, you lose points for using vowels. True story" was posted on…
“Inside every sportswriter is a frustrated athlete”
"Inside every sportswriter is a frustrated athlete" is an old saying of unknown authorship. "Whatzat you say about all scribes being 'frustrated athletes' who never stepped…
“Is a golf cart considered a sports car?”
A golf cart is a car used in sports, but no one thinks of it as a "sports car" (that is, a fast car). "A golf cart is the perfect definition of 'sports' car.…
“Is a subpar golfer good or bad?”
"Is a subpar golfer good or bad?" is a jocular saying. "Subpar" usually means below average (par), or bad. However, a golfer who goes below par is playing well. "If…
“Is Brooklyn still in the league?” (1934)
"Is Brooklyn still in the league?" or "Are the Dodgers still in the league?" is the famous remark by New York Giants manager Bill Terry on January 24, 1934. The exact wording is…
“Is it called NASCAR because that’s the way a hillbilly pronounces ‘nice car’?”
"NASCAR" stands for "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing." "Is it called NASCAR because that’s the way a hillbilly pronounces 'nice car'?" is a…
“Is there baseball in heaven?” (joke)
A baseball joke has two old men make a pact for the first one to die to inform the other if there's baseball in heaven. "I've got some good news and some bad news," said the…
“Islander goal!” (hockey catchphrase)
American sportscaster John Sterling did radio broadcasts of New York Islanders hockey games on WMCA from 1975-1978. Sterling is best known for being the New York Yankees' radio play-by-play…
“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” (“It’s not over until it’s over”)
Baseball is not played against a clock; there are nine innings and 27 outs before a game is over. Until those 27 outs are recorded, no lead is insurmountable. "There is an old adage that says…