--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did dream about pitching in the big…" description: "\"I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never getting to the Hall of Fame.\" — John Smoltz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg" --- # I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never… ![“I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never getting to the Hall of Fame.” quote by John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg) > “I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never getting to the Hall of Fame.” [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dreams of elite achievement can feel out of reach, yet they motivate persistence. **In simple terms:** Aiming for greatness fuels effort despite setbacks. Key Takeaway Keep striving toward high goals, even if ultimate fame is elusive. Themes ambition perseverance sports career legacy Mood determined inspirational Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - coaching sessions Key Concepts goal setting mental resilience performance pressure Questions to Reflect On - What does success mean to you personally? - How can you celebrate incremental wins? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on fame can cause disappointment; value progress over external validation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big leagues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-leagues/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/) [Hall of fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hall-of-fame/) ## Related quotes > [Pitching in the big leagues is a dream. Preparing to pitch in the big leagues is a nightmare!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-ryan/pitching-in-the-big-leagues-is-a-dream-preparing-to-pitch-in-the-big/) [Nolan Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-ryan/) > [When I was 15 years old, I used to actually dream I was pitching in Yankee Stadium. Bill Dickey was my catcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lasorda/when-i-was-15-years-old-i-used-to-actually-dream-i-was-pitching-in/) [Tommy Lasorda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lasorda/) > [When you're out there in the heat of the moment and you're pitching, and it's a big situation, you're saying 'Don't throw a ball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-kershaw/when-you-re-out-there-in-the-heat-of-the-moment-and-you-re-pitching/) [Clayton Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-kershaw/) > [I was definitely honored to be chosen, but I just didn't feel ready to be pitching in big games yet. It was a tough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cc-sabathia/i-was-definitely-honored-to-be-chosen-but-i-just-didn-t-feel-ready-to/) [CC Sabathia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cc-sabathia/) > [The Rays are kind of the envy of the industry based on so many good arms with so much good stuff and they seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-maddon/the-rays-are-kind-of-the-envy-of-the-industry-based-on-so-many-good/) [Joe Maddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-maddon/) > [I love pitching in front of big crowds and in huge stadiums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-hudson/i-love-pitching-in-front-of-big-crowds-and-in-huge-stadiums/) [Tim Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-hudson/) > [There's three things that as a professional athlete you want. You want to get to the big leagues, and I accomplished that. Winning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pujols/there-s-three-things-that-as-a-professional-athlete-you-want-you-want/) [Albert Pujols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pujols/) > [Marlins Park is what I call my office in Miami, because I work for the Venezuelan Museum of Baseball and Hall of Fame. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-pablo-galavis/marlins-park-is-what-i-call-my-office-in-miami-because-i-work-for-the/) [Juan Pablo Galavis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-pablo-galavis/) > [When you go into the minor leagues and you take a kid out after 75 to 90 pitches, what do you expect him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/when-you-go-into-the-minor-leagues-and-you-take-a-kid-out-after-75-to/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Fenway is unique in itself, the whole idea of pitching in Fenway is unlike any other ballpark, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/fenway-is-unique-in-itself-the-whole-idea-of-pitching-in-fenway-is/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [You have to learn how to become your pitching coach, if you don't, you don't last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/you-have-to-learn-how-to-become-your-pitching-coach-if-you-don-t-you/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [If every pitching staff is working at a 30- to 40-percent Tommy John rate and DL rate, then how long are those guys going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/if-every-pitching-staff-is-working-at-a-30-to-40-percent-tommy-john/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Pitching for the Boston Red Sox proved to be one of the few challenges in my career that I was unable to overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/pitching-for-the-boston-red-sox-proved-to-be-one-of-the-few/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Those of you who know me know I haven't spent too many days thinking about getting in the Hall of Fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/those-of-you-who-know-me-know-i-haven-t-spent-too-many-days-thinking/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [The Hall of Fame is the top of the mountain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/the-hall-of-fame-is-the-top-of-the-mountain/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) ## More by John Smoltz > [A definition of a good broadcast is when 50 percent of the people think you're rooting for one team and the other 50 percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/a-definition-of-a-good-broadcast-is-when-50-percent-of-the-people/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Pitching for the Boston Red Sox proved to be one of the few challenges in my career that I was unable to overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/pitching-for-the-boston-red-sox-proved-to-be-one-of-the-few/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I gave up a lot of money to stay with the Braves four different times and I don't regret any second of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-gave-up-a-lot-of-money-to-stay-with-the-braves-four-different-times/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I've learned so much through golf and myself. I've been frustrated a lot, but I've proved a lot, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-ve-learned-so-much-through-golf-and-myself-i-ve-been-frustrated-a/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [If the players don't produce, and aren't in the position to be evaluated correctly, then a manager's job of winning or losing baseball games…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/if-the-players-don-t-produce-and-aren-t-in-the-position-to-be/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [When you go into the minor leagues and you take a kid out after 75 to 90 pitches, what do you expect him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/when-you-go-into-the-minor-leagues-and-you-take-a-kid-out-after-75-to/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I don't know that we'll ever see a 3,000-strikeout guy again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-don-t-know-that-we-ll-ever-see-a-3-000-strikeout-guy-again/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [To be honest with you, the two greatest games I ever pitched resulted in losses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/to-be-honest-with-you-the-two-greatest-games-i-ever-pitched-resulted/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I never grunted, and never overthrew a pitch when I was a starter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-never-grunted-and-never-overthrew-a-pitch-when-i-was-a-starter/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I try to squeeze in a round of golf here and there when I get a chance to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-try-to-squeeze-in-a-round-of-golf-here-and-there-when-i-get-a/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Yeah, I've never been afraid of any challenge, and I'm either all in or all out, because that's the mindset I've always had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/yeah-i-ve-never-been-afraid-of-any-challenge-and-i-m-either-all-in-or/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Going to the pen was something I had to learn to do. It wasn't something I wanted to do. If it made our team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/going-to-the-pen-was-something-i-had-to-learn-to-do-it-wasn-t/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Alan Trammell came right up to me. I was sitting in a locker, looking like I don't belong here. He shook my hand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/alan-trammell-came-right-up-to-me-i-was-sitting-in-a-locker-looking/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [I love to compete. I really do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-love-to-compete-i-really-do/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [Golf was a great way to be better in baseball. And now golf is something I enjoy, and a way to better experience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/golf-was-a-great-way-to-be-better-in-baseball-and-now-golf-is/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) [Explore all 99 John Smoltz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [My parents are divorced, and seeing that was really painful for me. Really painful for me. But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I always want to do a big finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-always-want-to-do-a-big-finale/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [I think a big part of success in football is mental, not physical. How you are inside your head matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iker-casillas/i-think-a-big-part-of-success-in-football-is-mental-not-physical-how/) [Iker Casillas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iker-casillas/) > [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/) > [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? That's a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/making-sure-that-people-have-access-to-preventive-medicine-for-the/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [What I know about Ali Krieger is no moment is ever going to be too big for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-ellis/what-i-know-about-ali-krieger-is-no-moment-is-ever-going-to-be-too/) [Jill Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-ellis/) Browse all 12,477 Big quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never getting to the Hall of Fame.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Smoltz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-leagues-but-never-getting-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-leagues-but-never-getting-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c0/john-smoltz-6392_big_i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-le_1543913.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I did dream about pitching in the big leagues, but never getting to the Hall of Fame.” — John Smoltz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Smoltz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I did dream about pitching in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-leagues-but-never-getting-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-did-dream-about-pitching-in-the-big-leagues-but-never-getting-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```