"The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time."

"The way I figured it, I was a colored boy. I was a Negro. I was black. I was a lot of things. But I was also an American. And I had the right to be treated like an American."

"The greatest joy in the world is to be able to make a difference."

"I'd be willing to trade all my fame and the home run record for one more chance to step up to bat in the major leagues."

"I'm not a very good speaker, but I can hit a baseball."