phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

"Nice guys finish last"

Posted by ESC on April 16, 2004

In Reply to: "Nice guys finish last" posted by EE on April 16, 2004

: Can anyone out there tell me the origin of this expression and other similar expressions? Thanks.

NICE GUYS FINISH LAST -- "Ruthless tactics succeed more than kindness. This statement is generally ascribed to baseball manager Leo Durocher, (1905-1991) whose fiery style earned him the nickname 'The Lip.'.He led three teams into the World Series - the 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers, who lost to the New York Yankees; the 1951 New York Giants, who lost to the Yankees; and the 1954 Giants, who swept the Cleveland Indians.(the idea) is an ancient one, 'More nice than wise' had made it into John Ray's proverb collection of 1670." From "Southpaws & Sunday Punches and other Sporting Expressions" by Christine Ammer (Penguin Books, New York, 1993).

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.