--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been playing baseball since I was 5…" description: "\"I've been playing baseball since I was 5 or 6 years old. I've been on a schedule, pretty much, since I was in eighth, ninth grade. I look forward to no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca2/derek-jeter-2713_baseball_i-ve-been-playing-baseball-since-i-was-5_1865074.jpg" --- # I've been playing baseball since I was 5 or 6 years old… ![“I've been playing baseball since I was 5 or 6 years old. I've been on a schedule, pretty much, since I was in eighth, ninth grade. I look forward to not doing that.” quote by Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca2/derek-jeter-2713_baseball_i-ve-been-playing-baseball-since-i-was-5_1865074.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca2/derek-jeter-2713_baseball_i-ve-been-playing-baseball-since-i-was-5_1865074.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca2/derek-jeter-2713_baseball_i-ve-been-playing-baseball-since-i-was-5_1865074.jpg) > “I've been playing baseball since I was 5 or 6 years old. I've been on a schedule, pretty much, since I was in eighth, ninth grade. I look forward to not doing that.” [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on a lifelong baseball routine and anticipates relief from that structured schedule. **In simple terms:** Long‑term routine can become burdensome. Key Takeaway Balance structured practice with rest. Themes sports routine career burnout Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal career When to use this quote - training schedules - career transitions - mental health - post‑career planning Key Concepts habit formation work‑life balance athlete identity Questions to Reflect On - How can athletes transition out of intense routines? - What supports help maintain identity after sport? A Different Perspective It may ignore the benefits of discipline. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Ninth grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ninth-grade/) [Playing baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-baseball/) ## Related quotes > [I wonder why there is a designated hitter in baseball after all these years? As an experiment, it seemed like a swell enough idea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-wonder-why-there-is-a-designated-hitter-in-baseball-after-all-these/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [All the other kids in ninth grade were drawing hot rods and cocker spaniels and getting blue ribbons in art class. I was getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-holland/all-the-other-kids-in-ninth-grade-were-drawing-hot-rods-and-cocker/) [Brad Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-holland/) > [I played the guitar in ninth grade. My sister's friend went on a semester abroad, and she left the guitar at our house for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walton/i-played-the-guitar-in-ninth-grade-my-sister-s-friend-went-on-a/) [David Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walton/) > [I did attend Catholic schools up to the ninth grade, and I admire much in the Catholic Church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-scully/i-did-attend-catholic-schools-up-to-the-ninth-grade-and-i-admire-much/) [Matthew Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-scully/) > [The ninth grade. I went from 5'9' to 6'8'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bubba-smith/the-ninth-grade-i-went-from-5-9-to-6-8/) [Bubba Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bubba-smith/) > [I first came out to my mom in the ninth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-first-came-out-to-my-mom-in-the-ninth-grade/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [I was in, like, nine schools by ninth grade, so I moved a ton of times when I was younger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-stroup/i-was-in-like-nine-schools-by-ninth-grade-so-i-moved-a-ton-of-times/) [Jessica Stroup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-stroup/) > [I never finished the ninth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-garner/i-never-finished-the-ninth-grade/) [James Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-garner/) > [I've been homeschooled since ninth grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sanchez/i-ve-been-homeschooled-since-ninth-grade/) [Jessica Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sanchez/) > [In ninth grade, I played wide receiver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quavo/in-ninth-grade-i-played-wide-receiver/) [Quavo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quavo/) > [How can I tell the eighth or ninth man on the team that I want you to work hard every day and I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-can-i-tell-the-eighth-or-ninth-man-on-the-team-that-i-want-you-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wanted to play baseball ever since I was 5 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-ray/i-wanted-to-play-baseball-ever-since-i-was-5-years-old/) [Allan Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-ray/) > [I always played sports when I was young. I played football and baseball for eight years. I loved football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-lautner/i-always-played-sports-when-i-was-young-i-played-football-and/) [Taylor Lautner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-lautner/) > [It's never over. You don't want to be in the position to be down four runs in the ninth inning, but it's not over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/it-s-never-over-you-don-t-want-to-be-in-the-position-to-be-down-four/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [The number one priority is playing baseball. There are so many people in New York trying to get you to do this and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-number-one-priority-is-playing-baseball-there-are-so-many-people/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) ## More by Derek Jeter > [I like to hit the gym early in the morning. I feel better throughout the day when I get in a workout first thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-like-to-hit-the-gym-early-in-the-morning-i-feel-better-throughout/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I don't listen to opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-don-t-listen-to-opinions/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/we-just-want-to-win-that-s-the-bottom-line-i-think-a-lot-of-times/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [You know what I want to do? Wake up one weekend and not have to go anywhere and do nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/you-know-what-i-want-to-do-wake-up-one-weekend-and-not-have-to-go/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [When it was time for parent-teacher conferences, I remember that I was always embarrassed about what my parents would hear about me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/when-it-was-time-for-parent-teacher-conferences-i-remember-that-i-was/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [Work hard, love what you do, put your best foot forward and never forget the kid in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/work-hard-love-what-you-do-put-your-best-foot-forward-and-never/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [The only legacy I want is to be thought of as a winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/the-only-legacy-i-want-is-to-be-thought-of-as-a-winner/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I want to have a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-want-to-have-a-family/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [“If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? We can be our own best friends or our own worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/if-you-don-t-believe-in-yourself-why-should-anyone-else-believe-in/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [As long as I'm having fun I'm going to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/as-long-as-i-m-having-fun-i-m-going-to-play/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [Nine games? It's too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/nine-games-it-s-too-long/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-love-it-when-people-doubt-me-it-makes-me-work-harder-to-prove-them/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [My parents always felt if I worked hard enough I could make any dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/my-parents-always-felt-if-i-worked-hard-enough-i-could-make-any-dream/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it's easy to say, 'Ah, I'll workout tomorrow.' But you have to set aside a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/so-many-people-are-insanely-busy-nowadays-and-it-s-easy-to-say-ah-i/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) > [I went to school on Senior Skip Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-jeter/i-went-to-school-on-senior-skip-day/) [Derek Jeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) [Explore all 153 Derek Jeter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-jeter/) ## 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. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-banks/spring-training-means-flowers-people-coming-outdoors-sunshine/) [Ernie Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-banks/) > [Pitchers pitch differently. Hitters, hardly anyone has the same stance. That's just how it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-zimmerman/pitchers-pitch-differently-hitters-hardly-anyone-has-the-same-stance/) [Ryan Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-zimmerman/) > [Five World Series rings, 3000-plus hits, the fame, the fortune and playing for the second most historic franchise in baseball... These are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mookie-betts/five-world-series-rings-3000-plus-hits-the-fame-the-fortune-and/) [Mookie Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mookie-betts/) > [I don't want the electronic strike zone. I like the element of sometimes pitches don't get called. 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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