“The bank is open for [player name]” (basketball bank shot catchphrase)
A basketball "bank shot" is one that hits the backboard before its trip to the basket. "The bank is open for [basketball player name]" means that a player has just scored on a…
“The bases are F.O.B. (full of Brooklyns)”
"The bases are F.O.B. (full of Brooklyns)" was a catchphrase of Brooklyn Dodger announcer Red Barber (1908-1992), meaning that there were Dodgers standing on first base, second base and…
“The best pass defense is a good pass rush” (football adage)
In American football, the best pass defense is said to be a good pass rush -- not good pass protection. A good quarterback, if given enough time to operate, can beat good pass protection. The pass…
“The best pitch is strike one” (baseball adage)
What's the best pitch in baseball? A fastball? A slider? A curve? "That's easy. The best pitch is a strike," said New York Giants manager Leo Durocher (1905-1991) in 1953.…
“The best players win MVPs; the best teams win championships”
"The best players win Most Valuable Player awards; the best teams win championships" is a popular saying in many sports. It's not known who first said it. "The best players win…
“The best teams make the playoffs; the hottest team wins the championship”
"The best teams make the playoffs and the hottest team wins the championship" means that the team with the best regular season record doesn't always win the championship. The regular…
“The best throw of the dice is to throw them away” (gambling adage)
"The best throw of the dice is to throw them away" is a very old gambling adage that is still popularly cited. "The best throw upon the dice is to throw them away" was credited…
“The best way to communicate with a fish is to drop them a line”
"Drop a line" used to be a way of saying that someone was making a telephone call. A fishing joke is: "The best way to communicate with fish is to drop them a line." "How…
“The best way to refute a gambit is to accept it” (chess adage)
"The best way to refute a gambit is to accept it" is a chess adage, cited in print since at least 1945. The adage is usually credited to champion chess player Wilhelm Steinitz…
“The best wood in an amateur’s bag is a pencil” (golf joke)
Professional golfer Chi-Chi Rodriguez told many one-liners on the golf tour. At the U.S. Open in 1979, Rodriguez joked about a pencil: "That's the best wood in the bag for an amateur. If…
“The bigger the field, the bigger the certainty” (horse racing adage)
"The bigger the field, the bigger the certainty" in horse racing means that the more horses in the field, the greater it is that the favorite is likely to win. "Backers were…
“The body heals with play. The mind heals with laughter. The spirit heals with joy”
"The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter and the spirit heals with joy" is an inspirational saying that has been printed on many images. Humorist and author Mike Moore…
“The Bronze winner is always happier than the one who wins Silver”
In the Olympics, a gold medal is first place, a silver medal is second place, and a bronze medal is third place. Silver winners are often unhappy, and there are sayings such as "Second place…
“The Brooklyn Dodgers have three on base.”/“Which base?”
On August 15, 1926, in a game at Ebbets Field against the Boston Braves. the Brooklyn Dodgers had the bases loaded. Babe Herman (1903-1987) hit a ball that the runners thought would be caught. Hank…
“The closest most people will ever get to participate in the Olympic sport of curling is…”
Is the practice of kicking ice cubes under the refrigerator related to the sport of curling? "Dropped an icecube & managed to skillfully guide it under the fridge using my toes. Who owns a…
“The depressing thing about tennis is that I’ll never be as good as a wall”
"The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall" is a joke from American stand-up comedian Mich Hedberg (1968-2005) that has been…
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra”
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra" is a motivational saying that has been printed on posters. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1982…
“The English invented soccer, but the Brazilians perfected it”
A popular statement about soccer is: “Os ingleses o inventaram, os brasileiros o aperfei oaram.” (Portuguese)“The English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it.” The saying has been…
“The existence of the ‘dreamcatcher’ implies the existence of a dreampitcher and a dreambatter, too”
A "dreamcatcher" has nothing to do with baseball, but many people joke that there should also be "dream pitchers." "Si existen los 'dreamcatcher'....existen los…
“The eye in the sky never lies” (game film adage)
Football teams have game film and also practice film. A camera (the "eye in the sky") takes a view of the entire field and all of the players. "The eye in the sky doesn't…