--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They said you'd really have to be…" description: "\"They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg" --- # They said you'd really have to be something to be like… ![“They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.” quote by Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg) > “They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.” [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A call for representation, urging the creation of role models from underrepresented groups. **In simple terms:** We need heroes who reflect our own backgrounds. Key Takeaway Promote diverse role models. Themes representation inspiration equality Mood hopeful motivational Type advocacy inspirational When to use this quote - community building - youth mentorship - media representation Key Concepts role model theory cultural identity sports history Questions to Reflect On - Who can serve as a new role model? - How does representation affect aspiration? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex societal issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Puerto rican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puerto-rican/) ## Related quotes > [Other boys went to see Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth came to see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-coogan/other-boys-went-to-see-babe-ruth-babe-ruth-came-to-see-me/) [Jackie Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-coogan/) > [The first day that I get to Fort Myers, there was a newspaper down there. The newspaper said, 'Puerto Rican hot dog arrives in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/the-first-day-that-i-get-to-fort-myers-there-was-a-newspaper-down/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [The farther away you writers stay, the better I like it. You know why? Because you're trying to create a bad image of me...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/the-farther-away-you-writers-stay-the-better-i-like-it-you-know-why/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [When people put my name next to (Babe) Ruth's name it still blows me away. I'm still in awe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgwire/when-people-put-my-name-next-to-babe-ruth-s-name-it-still-blows-me/) [Mark McGwire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgwire/) > [Too bad integration didn't come sooner, because there were so many ballplayers that could have made the major leagues. That's why, you look back,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-aaron/too-bad-integration-didn-t-come-sooner-because-there-were-so-many/) [Hank Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-aaron/) > [You can't judge a man by watching him live. . . . I personally watched Babe Ruth at bat three times, and he struck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-w-sill/you-can-t-judge-a-man-by-watching-him-live-i-personally-watched-babe/) [Sterling W Sill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-w-sill/) > [“FORGIVENESS The political score from four scores ago doesn't matter to anyone anymore. So why are we still keeping a tally of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/forgiveness-the-political-score-from-four-scores-ago-doesn-t-matter/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“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/) > [We have an obligation to spread amateur baseball both at home and abroad. Building up the game at all levels - Little League, Babe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-bartlett-giamatti/we-have-an-obligation-to-spread-amateur-baseball-both-at-home-and/) [A. Bartlett Giamatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-bartlett-giamatti/) > [“Babe-Ruth raised her family with everything but money”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orzie-henderson-jr/babe-ruth-raised-her-family-with-everything-but-money/) Orzie Henderson Jr > [I don't know where Hank Aaron will break (Babe) Ruth's record but I can tell you one thing - ten years from the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-mathews/i-don-t-know-where-hank-aaron-will-break-babe-ruth-s-record-but-i-can/) [Eddie Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-mathews/) > [A-Rod wants to be like Babe Ruth. And people don't realize this, he's a lot like Babe Ruth. Before the playoffs a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artie-lange/a-rod-wants-to-be-like-babe-ruth-and-people-don-t-realize-this-he-s-a/) [Artie Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artie-lange/) > [“Yes, my friends, your hunger for history is still pretty segregated. Your knowledge of America often ends at the color line. You end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/yes-my-friends-your-hunger-for-history-is-still-pretty-segregated/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [The home run became glorified with Babe Ruth. Starting with him, batters have been thinking in terms of how far they could hit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rogers-hornsby/the-home-run-became-glorified-with-babe-ruth-starting-with-him/) [Rogers Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rogers-hornsby/) > [My dad is to professional wrestling what Babe Ruth was to baseball - he's an icon. Working with him and having him around as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldust/my-dad-is-to-professional-wrestling-what-babe-ruth-was-to-baseball-he/) [Goldust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldust/) ## More by Roberto Clemente > [I loved the game so much that even though our playing field was muddy and we had many trees on it, I used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-loved-the-game-so-much-that-even-though-our-playing-field-was-muddy/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all I had to give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-want-to-be-remembered-as-a-ballplayer-who-gave-all-i-had-to-give/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [A country without idols is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/a-country-without-idols-is-nothing/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a baseball player. This is something I think about. The more I think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-wanted-to-be-a-baseball-player-this-is/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [I am convinced that God wanted me to be a baseball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-am-convinced-that-god-wanted-me-to-be-a-baseball-player/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [The Dodgers told me a big bonus was no good, and they said other players would resent it. Better for me to take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/the-dodgers-told-me-a-big-bonus-was-no-good-and-they-said-other/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [But some people act like they think I live in the jungle someplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/but-some-people-act-like-they-think-i-live-in-the-jungle-someplace/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [The farther away you writers stay, the better I like it. You know why? Because you're trying to create a bad image of me...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/the-farther-away-you-writers-stay-the-better-i-like-it-you-know-why/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [A nation without heroes is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/a-nation-without-heroes-is-nothing/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [Brooklyn was a famous team. I wanted to play for the Dodgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/brooklyn-was-a-famous-team-i-wanted-to-play-for-the-dodgers/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [God wanted me to be a baseball player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/god-wanted-me-to-be-a-baseball-player/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [Pitch me outside, I will hit .400. Pitch me inside, and you will not find the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/pitch-me-outside-i-will-hit-400-pitch-me-inside-and-you-will-not-find/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [I used to watch Monte Irvin play when I was a kid. I idolized him. I used to wait in front of the ballpark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-used-to-watch-monte-irvin-play-when-i-was-a-kid-i-idolized-him-i/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [There's no difference between me and you. You need something, a glove, a place to live, you let me know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/there-s-no-difference-between-me-and-you-you-need-something-a-glove-a/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) > [I would like to get 3,000 hits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/i-would-like-to-get-3-000-hits/) [Roberto Clemente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) [Explore all 41 Roberto Clemente quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in a tremendous investment to support millions of workers without a paycheck and behind on bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/congress-passed-the-american-rescue-plan-act-in-a-tremendous/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and employ almost half of the working population. Yet because of their size, they rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/small-businesses-are-the-backbone-of-the-american-economy-and-employ/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Roberto Clemente" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-something-to-be-like-babe-ruth-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-something-to-be-like-babe-ruth-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/roberto-clemente-15888_american_they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-someth_3003325.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What…” — Roberto Clemente", "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": "Roberto Clemente", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-clemente/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "They said you'd really have to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-something-to-be-like-babe-ruth-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-clemente/they-said-you-d-really-have-to-be-something-to-be-like-babe-ruth-but/#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 } } ] } ```