Ferguson Jenkins Quotes

Powerful Ferguson Jenkins for Daily Growth

About Ferguson Jenkins

Ferguson James "Fergie" Jenkins OC OOnt (born November 15, 1942) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Chatham, Ontario, Jenkins was raised in Grimsby, Ontario, where he developed his love for baseball. Jenkins' professional career began when he was signed by the Cubs at the age of 18 in 1960. He made his MLB debut in 1965 and quickly established himself as one of the league's top pitchers. Known for his powerful fastball and sharp curveball, Jenkins won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year award in 1967 and was a seven-time All-Star from 1968 to 1975. He also won the NL Cy Young Award in 1971. One of Jenkins' most significant achievements came during the 1969 season, when he led the league with a record of 20–13 and a 2.74 earned run average (ERA), helping the Cubs to their first NL pennant in 39 years. Despite this success, the Cubs lost the World Series to the New York Mets. In 1972, Jenkins was traded to the Phillies and later played for the Red Sox and Blue Jays before retiring in 1983. He finished his career with a record of 284–225, 3,192 strikeouts, and a 3.34 ERA. Jenkins' contributions to baseball were recognized with his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. In addition to his baseball career, Jenkins has been involved in various philanthropic activities, including establishing the Ferguson Jenkins Charitable Foundation. His autobiography, "I Am Fergie: A Baseball Life," was published in 2013.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not a destination, it's the journey."

Ferguson Jenkins' quote emphasizes that success is not a fixed point to be reached, but rather an ongoing process or journey. It suggests that the pursuit of success should be valued more than the achievement itself. In other words, focusing on personal growth, learning from experiences, and enjoying the process are essential aspects of achieving success. This perspective encourages people to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and appreciate the lessons they learn along the way.


"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."

This quote by Ferguson Jenkins suggests that the more effort and dedication one puts into a task or goal, the stronger their resistance to giving up becomes. It implies that perseverance and determination are bolstered by the level of investment and commitment made towards achieving something significant. In other words, when we invest our time, energy, and passion into something, we develop a resilience that makes it harder for us to surrender or abandon our pursuit of success.


"Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical."

This quote highlights the importance of mental toughness in baseball, suggesting that a significant portion (90%) of success on the field is due to one's mindset or mental attributes such as focus, strategy, and self-confidence. The remaining part, referred to as "the other half", underscores the essential role physical abilities also play in mastering the sport, emphasizing that both mental and physical skills are crucial for success in baseball.


"I always told myself that I was going to be successful no matter what, as long as I kept working hard."

This quote by Ferguson Jenkins highlights a powerful mindset that fuels personal success. It communicates the belief in one's own potential for greatness and the determination to achieve it through persistent effort. By embracing this mindset, individuals cultivate resilience, grit, and an unwavering commitment to their goals, irrespective of any obstacles they may face along the way. This quote serves as a reminder that success is often the result of self-belief and relentless hard work.


"It's not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

Ferguson Jenkins emphasizes that it is not just the desire to win that sets successful individuals apart; rather, it is the commitment to thoroughly prepare for victory that truly makes a difference. Winning can often be attributed to factors beyond one's control, such as luck or external circumstances. However, by focusing on diligent preparation, one significantly increases their chances of success and demonstrates a higher level of dedication and resilience.


I would love to see as many of the black players as possible in today's Major League Baseball make every effort to go to the Negro Leagues Museum and get a first-hand view of how it all started.

- Ferguson Jenkins

Love, Effort, How, First-Hand

All of the charities we're involved with have touched me in one way or another on a personal level. There are about eight or nine charities that I support.

- Ferguson Jenkins

Touched, Nine, Charities, Personal Level

Mental attitude and concentration are the keys to pitching.

- Ferguson Jenkins

Keys, Mental Attitude, Pitching

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