--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a life-long ambition to be a…" description: "\"I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.\" — Gerald R. Ford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/gerald-r-ford-2628_ambition_i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-profe_194266.jpg" --- # I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball… ![“I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.” quote by Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/gerald-r-ford-2628_ambition_i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-profe_194266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/gerald-r-ford-2628_ambition_i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-profe_194266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/gerald-r-ford-2628_ambition_i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-profe_194266.jpg) > “I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.” [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A personal dream of becoming a pro athlete was blocked by lack of opportunity, highlighting the gap between ambition and external validation. **In simple terms:** Dreams can be thwarted by circumstances beyond control. Key Takeaway Seek alternative paths when doors close. Themes ambition sports rejection Mood determined reflective Type motivational realistic When to use this quote - job hunting - career pivot - mentorship seeking - skill development Key Concepts career aspiration external barriers Questions to Reflect On - What other talents could you develop? - How can you create your own opportunities? A Different Perspective Even with talent, success often depends on timing and connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Baseball player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball-player/) [Long life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-life/) [Professional baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professional-baseball/) ## Related quotes > [Growing up, I actually wanted to be a professional Baseball player, instead of a radio DJ. Believe it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-kasem/growing-up-i-actually-wanted-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player/) [Casey Kasem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-kasem/) > [“You can learn a lot from a professional baseball player, if you can get one, which obviously you can't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitra-ekmektsis/you-can-learn-a-lot-from-a-professional-baseball-player-if-you-can/) Dimitra Ekmektsis > [“Years later he would say that when he'd decided to become a professional baseball player, it was the only time he'd done something just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/years-later-he-would-say-that-when-he-d-decided-to-become-a/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [I could describe my career in two words: who knew. I was on the path to becoming a professional baseball player, but I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shemar-moore/i-could-describe-my-career-in-two-words-who-knew-i-was-on-the-path-to-2/) [Shemar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shemar-moore/) > [That's how easy baseball was for me. I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I had the knowledge before I became a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-mays/that-s-how-easy-baseball-was-for-me-i-m-not-trying-to-brag-or/) [Willie Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-mays/) > [Everybody wants to be a professional baseball player and, sure, as a kid, I wanted to do that. But once I got cut from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-buehrle/everybody-wants-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-and-sure-as-a/) [Mark Buehrle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-buehrle/) > [I kept thinking, 'this must be the coolest job - I'd like to be a professional baseball player.' They were getting paid to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/i-kept-thinking-this-must-be-the-coolest-job-i-d-like-to-be-a/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I wanted to be a professional baseball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balthazar-getty/i-wanted-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player/) [Balthazar Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balthazar-getty/) > [I'd like to be a professional baseball player that's always been a big ambition of mine. I'd also like to try my hand at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wahl/i-d-like-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-that-s-always-been-a/) [Ken Wahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wahl/) > [I could describe my career in two words: who knew. I was on the path to becoming a professional baseball player, but I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shemar-moore/i-could-describe-my-career-in-two-words-who-knew-i-was-on-the-path-to/) [Shemar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shemar-moore/) > [I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kruk/i-m-not-an-athlete-i-m-a-professional-baseball-player/) [John Kruk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kruk/) > [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 had a client who was a professional baseball player once, and he would go to clubs and dance for seven, eight, nine hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/i-had-a-client-who-was-a-professional-baseball-player-once-and-he/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [When I went to high school, my most passionate desire was to be a professional baseball player. But something within me told me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wolfe/when-i-went-to-high-school-my-most-passionate-desire-was-to-be-a/) [Tom Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wolfe/) > [It had long been an ambition to find the line of force that might lead to the Holy Land in the time of Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-lawhead/it-had-long-been-an-ambition-to-find-the-line-of-force-that-might/) [Stephen R. Lawhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-lawhead/) ## More by Gerald R. Ford > [My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/my-fellow-americans-our-long-national-nightmare-is-over-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [One of the enduring truths of the nation's capital is that bureaucrats survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/one-of-the-enduring-truths-of-the-nation-s-capital-is-that/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-old-question-still-remains-can-a-free-people-restrain-crime/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The Federal role in overcoming barriers to needed health care should emphasize health care financing programs-such as Medicare and Medicaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-federal-role-in-overcoming-barriers-to-needed-health-care-should/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/america-now-is-stumbling-through-the-darkness-of-hatred-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-political-lesson-of-watergate-is-this-never-again-must-america/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to-know-not-only-what-the/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It's more like it is now than it ever has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/it-s-more-like-it-is-now-than-it-ever-has-been/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Let America symbolize humanity's struggle to conquer nature and master technology. The time has now come for our Government to facilitate the individual's control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/let-america-symbolize-humanity-s-struggle-to-conquer-nature-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-pro-offers-from-the-detroit-lions-and-green-bay-packers-who/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/an-impeachable-offense-is-whatever-a-majority-of-the-house-of/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) [Explore all 157 Gerald R. Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gerald R. 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