"I always loved the game, but when my legs weren't hurting it was a lot easier to love"

Mickey Mantle's quote speaks to the physical and psychological toll that playing a sport can handle a professional athlete. He acknowledges that he always liked the video game, however when his legs weren't harming, it was easier to enjoy it. This recommends that the physical discomfort he was experiencing was making it hard for him to appreciate the game. It could be translated as a metaphor for the battles of life, and how it can be tough to appreciate the advantages when we are in pain. It likewise speaks to the devotion and durability of professional athletes, who are willing to press through the discomfort in order to pursue their passion. Mantle's quote is a reminder that even when we are in discomfort, we can still find delight in the important things we like.