Being involved in competition ...

Being involved in competition is a privilege and an opportunity. Seek to make the most of that opportunity by pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities. When it is over, you will have earned the respect of your opponents, your coaches, and yourself.
 Tony La Russa

Quotes from the same author

The thing I learned when I was playing was that your best way of winning was to make it difficult for the other team to score in the last three innings.
 Tony La Russa