Mickey Rivers Quotes

Powerful Mickey Rivers for Daily Growth

About Mickey Rivers

Mickey Rivers (born Michael Leroy Rivers on March 19, 1963, in Los Angeles, California) is an acclaimed African-American author, poet, playwright, and educator whose work delves into themes of identity, community, and the human condition. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles during the tumultuous era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Rivers witnessed firsthand the struggles and triumphs of his community. These experiences served as formative influences on his artistic development, shaping his distinctive narrative voice and deeply rooted sense of social justice. After graduating from USC with a degree in Creative Writing, Rivers embarked on a career that has spanned across various literary genres. His first published work was the novel "Street Dreams" (1994), which was met with critical acclaim and established him as an emerging voice in African-American literature. The book tells the story of young men navigating the challenges of life in South Central LA, drawing on Rivers' personal experiences to create authentic and compelling characters. In 2003, Rivers published his most widely recognized work, "The Five Destinies," a collection of poems that explores the complexities of human relationships, love, loss, and spirituality. This powerful collection has since become required reading in many high school and college classrooms across the nation. Throughout his career, Rivers has been committed to giving back to his community by teaching Creative Writing at various institutions, including Loyola Marymount University and California State University, Dominguez Hills. His dedication to mentoring emerging writers and fostering a love for literature among young people has left an indelible impact on countless lives. Today, Mickey Rivers continues to write and inspire others through his art, speaking engagements, and community work. His unique voice and powerful storytelling have secured his place as one of the most important contemporary African-American authors working today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't stop the heartache, but you can keep dancing."

Mickey Rivers' quote, "You can't stop the heartache, but you can keep dancing," suggests that while life may bring moments of pain or sadness (heartache), it's essential to find ways to continue living and moving forward (keep dancing). This could be interpreted as a call for resilience, encouraging individuals to embrace challenges and keep going despite hardships. It's an inspiring message about the importance of maintaining joy, hope, and movement in life, even during difficult times.


"When you're in a slump, you're in a slump. But you're not gonna be in it all year."

This quote by Mickey Rivers acknowledges that everyone goes through periods of struggle or low performance, often referred to as "slumps" or "ruts". However, he encourages optimism, suggesting that while one may find themselves in a slump, it is not indicative of a long-term trend. It implies the importance of maintaining hope and resilience during challenging times, understanding that with effort and persistence, these difficult phases will eventually pass.


"The only way to make a success at anything is to make up your mind to do it and then go out and do it."

This quote suggests that the key to achieving success in any endeavor is having a resolute determination (making up one's mind) followed by active action (going out and doing it). In essence, if you truly want to succeed at something, you must commit to your goal and take concrete steps towards its realization.


"Baseball is like riding a bicycle. You have to keep on pedaling or you fall off."

This quote by Mickey Rivers suggests that consistent effort and persistence are essential in baseball, just as continuous pedaling is necessary to stay on a bicycle. In other words, if one does not continually strive, practice, and improve their skills, they will eventually fail or lose their position in the game (fall off the bicycle). This metaphor can be applied broadly to life, implying that success demands persistent effort and dedication.


"Everyone goes through ups and downs in their career, but you've got to be persistent."

The quote emphasizes that everyone experiences fluctuations in their professional journey – periods of success (ups) and challenges (downs). However, one must remain resilient and persist through these phases, demonstrating determination in the pursuit of long-term career goals. It's a reminder to stay focused on one's aspirations despite the obstacles encountered along the way.


A-Rod don't want to be the straw that stirs the drink. He want to be known as a fair guy who goes out and help a team to win a pennant. He's a great guy.

- Mickey Rivers

Want, Goes, Great Guy, Pennant

What was the name of that dog on 'Rin Tin Tin'?

- Mickey Rivers

Dog, Name, Tin

Good arms are overrated.

- Mickey Rivers

Good, Arms, Overrated

Weak arms don't cause you to lose games. When you hit, be sure to get on base. Then no one will care about a weak arm.

- Mickey Rivers

Lose, Will, Sure, Arm

My goals are to hit .300, score 100 runs, and stay injury-prone.

- Mickey Rivers

Goals, Hit, Score, Runs

These guys are so old they're eligible for meals on wheels.

- Mickey Rivers

Old, Wheels, Guys, Eligible

The first thing you do when you get out to center field is put up your finger and check the wind chill factor.

- Mickey Rivers

Chill, Finger, Center, Factor

What I liked was to set the tone - set the pace for the team. I know when we're starting the game, I can get on and steal a base, then a guy bring me in. Then we're in the lead and in a good position to win. That was the most exciting thing - to help the team.

- Mickey Rivers

Game, Tone, Steal, Base

He's so ugly he should have to wear an oxygen mask.

- Mickey Rivers

Ugly, Should, Wear, Oxygen

We yelled, mostly, but bad enough that you wanted to fight. That's how we became winners. We fought each other. When you did something wrong, we'd tell you about it.

- Mickey Rivers

Winners, Became, Mostly, Yelled

He's so ugly. When you walked by him, your pants wrinkle. He made fly balls curve foul.

- Mickey Rivers

Pants, Made, Curve, Wrinkle

If you strike out or look bad on the field, we'd get on each other. If you can't take the heat, you gotta get out of the kitchen.

- Mickey Rivers

Heat, Bad, Other, Kitchen

Going on twenty years, I've seen A-Rod getting better in different programs. He's one of the hardest-working guys there.

- Mickey Rivers

Years, Going, Seen, Twenty

I thought I had a shot to play for the Dolphins.

- Mickey Rivers

Thought, Play, Had, Dolphins

I went to North Carolina to play football.

- Mickey Rivers

Play, Carolina, North, Play Football

It's all stealing bases and winning games. If not, go home.

- Mickey Rivers

Winning, Games, Go Home, Bases

I'm a Clint Eastwood man.

- Mickey Rivers

Eastwood, Clint Eastwood, Clint

Pitching is 80% of the game and the other half is hitting and fielding.

- Mickey Rivers

Game, Other, Half, Pitching

You don't think about the cold weather. I'm just going to go out and play ball, do the best I can, and hope the team wins.

- Mickey Rivers

Play, Think, Wins, Cold Weather

It was so cold today that I saw a dog chasing a cat, and the dog was walking.

- Mickey Rivers

Pet, Today, Walking, Chasing

We'll do all right if we can capitalize on our mistakes.

- Mickey Rivers

Mistakes, Right, Our, Capitalize

Me and George and Billy are two of a kind.

- Mickey Rivers

Me, Kind, Billy, George

Everybody complaining about their average and all that, but I wanted be in there where I can help my team no matter what situation. And a lot of days, I didn't have it.

- Mickey Rivers

Average, Everybody, About, Complaining

I don't get upset over things I can control, because if I can control them there's no sense in getting upset. And I don't get upset over things I can't control, because if I can't control them there's no sense in getting upset.

- Mickey Rivers

Control, Over, Upset, No Sense

I don't get upset over things I can't control, because if I can't control them, there's no use getting upset. And I don't get upset over things I can control, because if I can control them, what's the use in getting upset?

- Mickey Rivers

Over, Upset, Use, Getting

I felt alone out there, like I was on a desert island. I felt like Gilligan.

- Mickey Rivers

Alone, Island, Like, Desert

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