--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Major League Baseball should retire…" description: "\"Major League Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente's number, just like they did Jackie Robinson's.\" — Carlos Beltran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/821/carlos-beltran-26211_baseball_major-league-baseball-should-retire-robe_1520100.png" --- # Major League Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente's… ![“Major League Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente's number, just like they did Jackie Robinson's.” quote by Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/821/carlos-beltran-26211_baseball_major-league-baseball-should-retire-robe_1520100.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/821/carlos-beltran-26211_baseball_major-league-baseball-should-retire-robe_1520100.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/821/carlos-beltran-26211_baseball_major-league-baseball-should-retire-robe_1520100.png) > “Major League Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente's number, just like they did Jackie Robinson's.” [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that Clemente deserves the same honor as Robinson because both broke barriers and excelled. **In simple terms:** Clemente should be honored like Robinson. Key Takeaway Advocate for Clemente’s number retirement. Themes justice legacy recognition equality sports history Mood respectful persuasive thoughtful Type opinion advocacy sports When to use this quote - team meetings - fan petitions - MLB board discussions - media campaigns Key Concepts civil rights role model historical impact Questions to Reflect On - How do we decide which athletes merit jersey retirement? - What impact does such recognition have on future players? A Different Perspective Some may argue different criteria for retiring numbers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Major league](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/major-league/) [Major league baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/major-league-baseball/) ## Related quotes > [Mine was an easy ride compared to Jackie Robinson's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-poitier/mine-was-an-easy-ride-compared-to-jackie-robinson-s/) [Sidney Poitier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-poitier/) > [We don't have a Roberto Clemente without Jackie Robinson. That's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/we-don-t-have-a-roberto-clemente-without-jackie-robinson-that-s-it/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [In social studies, we talked about Clemente. In health class, we talked about Clemente. In our house, we talked about Clemente. In baseball, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-lindor/in-social-studies-we-talked-about-clemente-in-health-class-we-talked/) [Francisco Lindor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-lindor/) > [He wasn't a football player, but my idol growing up was Roberto Clemente. The man died trying to help out earthquake victims in Nicaragua…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rivera/he-wasn-t-a-football-player-but-my-idol-growing-up-was-roberto/) [Ron Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rivera/) > [This is a tremendous honor (winning the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award), to be considered in the same class as Roberto Clemente. He is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-thome/this-is-a-tremendous-honor-winning-the-2002-roberto-clemente-award-to/) [Jim Thome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-thome/) > [One-third of all professional baseball players come from Latin America, and Sosa is following role models such as the late Roberto Clemente, a Puerto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-dedman/one-third-of-all-professional-baseball-players-come-from-latin/) [Bill Dedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-dedman/) > [I was thinking it would be nice if I woke up and could play like Roberto Clemente.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-martinez/i-was-thinking-it-would-be-nice-if-i-woke-up-and-could-play-like/) [Dave Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-martinez/) > [To be associated with the great Roberto Clemente - whom we all try to emulate - is the greatest honor of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/to-be-associated-with-the-great-roberto-clemente-whom-we-all-try-to/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [One of the reasons I appreciate being in a Pirates uniform is the greats who have worn it in the past. There was Bill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mccutchen/one-of-the-reasons-i-appreciate-being-in-a-pirates-uniform-is-the/) [Andrew McCutchen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mccutchen/) > [My dad used to go crazy over Roberto Clemente.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desean-jackson/my-dad-used-to-go-crazy-over-roberto-clemente/) [DeSean Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desean-jackson/) > [Roberto Clemente played the game of baseball with great passion. That passion could only be matched by his unrelenting commitment to make a difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-sanguillen/roberto-clemente-played-the-game-of-baseball-with-great-passion-that/) Manny Sanguillen > [“Now, I have to tell you, this reminds me of a story. Actually, it’s an old baseball story. You see, one day, old Lucifer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-i-have-to-tell-you-this-reminds-me-of-a-story-actually-it-s-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He (Roberto Clemente) is a hero to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-sosa/he-roberto-clemente-is-a-hero-to-me/) [Sammy Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-sosa/) > [I never thought about being a writer as I grew up. A writer wasn't something I wanted to be. An outfielder was something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sayles/i-never-thought-about-being-a-writer-as-i-grew-up-a-writer-wasn-t/) [John Sayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sayles/) > [He means as much as Roberto Clemente does to Latin people. Thank God I had the opportunity to know him. I wish my kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pujols/he-means-as-much-as-roberto-clemente-does-to-latin-people-thank-god-i/) [Albert Pujols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pujols/) ## More by Carlos Beltran > [I just need to come to the park every day thinking something good is going to happen to me and hoping today is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-just-need-to-come-to-the-park-every-day-thinking-something-good-is/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I know there are a lot of expectations of me, and I will do the best I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-know-there-are-a-lot-of-expectations-of-me-and-i-will-do-the-best-i/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I learned that I have to work hard every day, that I can't get down if I get in a slump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-learned-that-i-have-to-work-hard-every-day-that-i-can-t-get-down-if/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [It's going to be crazy. I'm guessing when we play against the Dominicans, half the field will be Dominican fans and half will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/it-s-going-to-be-crazy-i-m-guessing-when-we-play-against-the/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [Running after balls, diving, taking a home run away, it gives me such a good feeling. I am happy to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/running-after-balls-diving-taking-a-home-run-away-it-gives-me-such-a/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I have more confidence than I ever have before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-have-more-confidence-than-i-ever-have-before/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I'm a family man. I just love being around my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-m-a-family-man-i-just-love-being-around-my-family/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I was always thinking, 'One day I want to be like Bernie Williams.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-was-always-thinking-one-day-i-want-to-be-like-bernie-williams/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I like to be aggressive. I like to swing the bat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-like-to-be-aggressive-i-like-to-swing-the-bat/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I don't want to be hiding from people. It would be difficult to be recognized everywhere, so that I couldn't do things ordinary people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-don-t-want-to-be-hiding-from-people-it-would-be-difficult-to-be/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I think I can play in the big leagues 10 or 15 years. But more important to me is winning-win, make the playoffs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-think-i-can-play-in-the-big-leagues-10-or-15-years-but-more/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I like people talking about me, about my defense or what I'm doing. I like to see that, and that makes me work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-like-people-talking-about-me-about-my-defense-or-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [My mom and dad gave me everything they could have given me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/my-mom-and-dad-gave-me-everything-they-could-have-given-me/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I can't change something that I've been all my life. But I can work to express myself and talk more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-can-t-change-something-that-i-ve-been-all-my-life-but-i-can-work-to/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) > [I play because I know I can play the game, so it's their decision whether or not they want to keep me or they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beltran/i-play-because-i-know-i-can-play-the-game-so-it-s-their-decision/) [Carlos Beltran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) [Explore all 22 Carlos Beltran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beltran/) ## More Baseball quotes > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. I never wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-perry/i-d-always-have-grease-in-at-least-two-places-in-case-the-umpires/) [Gaylord Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-perry/) > [When you're in the middle of a pennant race, you can't go up there thinking about home runs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-sosa/when-you-re-in-the-middle-of-a-pennant-race-you-can-t-go-up-there/) [Sammy Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-sosa/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism and baseball. 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Guys don't receive it well or whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/i-don-t-want-the-electronic-strike-zone-i-like-the-element-of/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [I sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium - at a baseball game - which was crazy; there was, like, 60,000 people there, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-sang-the-national-anthem-at-dodger-stadium-at-a-baseball-game-which/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [If I was going to make one rule change, I would bring the DH to the National League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brett/if-i-was-going-to-make-one-rule-change-i-would-bring-the-dh-to-the/) [George Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brett/) > [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [I'll tell you what's helped me my entire life. I look at baseball as a game. It's something where people can go out, enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-caray/i-ll-tell-you-what-s-helped-me-my-entire-life-i-look-at-baseball-as-a/) [Harry Caray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-caray/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [What we should have done is kept the same team that played in the '95 World Series. Those trades (Eddie Murray & Carlos Baerga)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-belle/what-we-should-have-done-is-kept-the-same-team-that-played-in-the-95/) [Albert Belle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-belle/) > [“I can buy baseball cards to view an entire career on the back of a little square of cardboard. 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