"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep"
About this Quote
The subtext gets sharper when you remember what “off the field” meant for Aaron. Chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record in the early 1970s, he endured a flood of racist hate mail and threats. “Keep swinging” isn’t just grit; it’s disciplined defiance, a way to deny bigotry the power to reroute your purpose. He doesn’t frame himself as a victim or a crusader. He frames himself as a professional who will not be knocked off routine. That’s the quiet power move.
The line’s intent is practical, almost anti-inspirational: don’t wait to feel better before you act. You act, and the feelings have to catch up. It also carries a subtle warning to fans and athletes alike: performance is not proof of inner peace. Aaron admits trouble without dramatizing it, which makes the lesson sturdier. “Keep swinging” works because it’s specific, physical, and repeatable; it turns resilience into a habit, not a headline.
Quote Details
| Topic | Perseverance |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Aaron, Hank. (2026, February 16). My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/my-motto-was-always-to-keep-swinging-whether-i-167554/
Chicago Style
Aaron, Hank. "My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep." FixQuotes. February 16, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/my-motto-was-always-to-keep-swinging-whether-i-167554/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep." FixQuotes, 16 Feb. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/my-motto-was-always-to-keep-swinging-whether-i-167554/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.


