How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Million Dollar Baby.
Quote #1
SCRAP: Sometimes, there's just nothing you can do. Cut's too wide, too close to the bone. Maybe you got a severed vein, or you just can't get the coagulant deep enough. There are all kinds of combinations you come up against down in the different layers of meat. And Frankie knew how to work every one.
Frankie's got mad skills when it comes to patching up boxers. When it comes to mending the busted relationship with his daughter, however, that's a different story.
Quote #2
SCRAP: Frankie liked to say that boxing is an unnatural act, that everything in boxing is backwards: sometimes the best way to deliver a punch is to step back… But step back too far—you ain't fighting at all.
Here, our venerable narrator questions Frankie's strength. As managers go, he's awfully cautious. Just ask Big Willie.
Quote #3
SCRAP: Some people would say the most important thing a fighter can have is heart. Frankie'd say: show me a fighter who was nothing but heart and I'll show you a man waiting for a beating.
In other words, it takes more than just strength of character to win at a sport where lots and lots (and lots) of punching is required. You also need solid fighting skills and smarts.
Quote #4
SCRAP: Boxing is an unnatural act. Because everything in it is backwards. You want to move to the left, you don't step left, you push on the right toe. To move right, you use your left toe. Instead of running from the pain, like a sane person would do, you step into it.
Step into the pain? And this is why Shmoop isn't a boxer. We prefer sports that treat pain with rubdowns and hot tubs. And nachos.
Quote #5
SCRAP: The body knows what fighters don't: how to protect itself. A neck can only twist so far. Twist it just a hair more and the body says, "Hey, I'll take it from here because you obviously don't know what you're doing... Lie down now, rest, and we'll talk about this when you regain your senses." It's called the knockout mechanism.
Here's a tough one for you: how does this quote relate to Maggie before her fight with The Blue Bear, and how does it relate to Maggie post-Blue Bear?
Quote #6
FRANKIE: You forgot the rule. Now, what is the rule?
MAGGIE: Keep my left up?
FRANKIE: It's to protect yourself at all times. Now, what is the rule?
MAGGIE: Protect myself at all times.
FRANKIE: Good. Good.
We don't know about you, but, to us, it sure sounds like Frankie's advising Maggie about more than just boxing skills.
Quote #7
SCRAP: All fighters are pig-headed some way or other. Some part of them always thinks they know better than you about something. Truth is, even if they're wrong, even if that one thing is going to be the ruin of them, if you can beat that last bit out of them, they ain't fighters at all.
Scrap isn't just talking about a boxer's physical strength here, Shmooper. He's talking about the whole package: strength of body, mind, and soul.
Quote #8
SCRAP: Everybody's got a particular number of fights in them. Nobody tells you what that number is.
In the world of boxing, physical strength is a limited time offer.