I Never Had It Made

Originally published in 1972, in the same month as his premature death at 53 years old, I Never Had It Made is the autobiography of Major League Baseball legend, businessman, and political activist Jackie Robinson. Written chronologically, from Robinson’s first-person perspective, I Never Had It Made is broken down into two sections: “The Noble Experiment,” detailing Robinson’s early life, military years, athletic career, and his breaking of Major League Baseball’s so-called color line; and “After the Ball Game,” detailing Robinson’s post-baseball life in fatherhood, business, and social and political activism. A New York Times bestseller and winner of a Coretta Scott King Book Award in 1973, I Never Had It Made was co-authored by writer Alfred Duckett, who had previously collaborated with Dr. Martin Luther King on some of his most famous speeches.

The grandson of a slave, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in 1919 just outside of Cairo, Georgia. Shortly after Robinson’s birth, his father left home, and his mother, Mallie Robinson, relocated the family to California. In California, Robinson flirted with juvenile delinquency, but he eventually chose to focus on church activities and a blooming athletic career. After graduating from Pasadena Junior College, Robinson accepted a scholarship offer from UCLA and became the school’s first four-sport letter-winner. Also at UCLA, Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum, who became a foundational part of his life and accomplishments. Following service in the United States Army, Robinson played a single season with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues. Soon, however, a meeting with Branch Rickey, then the president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers big league club, would alter Robinson’s life forever and transform American history.

Rickey had played and managed in the segregated major leagues of the early 20th century, but by 1943, he was determined to force racial integration onto America’s pastime. The first order of business in what was known as “Rickey’s noble experiment” was to locate the appropriate player to break the game’s color barrier. The player selected to challenge the unwritten rule that had barred African Americans from the big leagues had to be one who could turn the other cheek in the face of unimaginable abuse, have enough spirit to gain acceptance from teammates, and be highly skilled. Rickey chose Robinson. After spending one very successful season with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers top farm club at the time, Robinson was called up to the majors for the start of the 1947 season.

Opposition was plentiful, but Robinson’s ability to accept injustice, control his emotions, and produce at an All-Star level slowly won over teammates and fans. Robinson won the inaugural Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award and in 1949, won the batting title and was named the National League Most Valuable Player while leading the Dodgers to their second pennant in three years. In 10 seasons with the Dodgers, 1947-1956, Robinson was a member of six pennant-winning teams and one World Series-winning team (1955) and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

As Robinson writes about his post-baseball life, his children and their challenges become a central focus. All three of Robinson’s children were born during his baseball career. After retiring from baseball, Robinson became the first African American vice president of a major American corporation, Chock full o’ Nuts. He chaired the Freedom Fund Drive for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served on NAACP's board for a decade. Robinson also helped to found and served as chairman of the board for Freedom National Bank in Harlem, which was the largest black-owned and operated bank in New York at the time. 

Politically, Robinson supported both republicans and democrats based on the candidates' treatment of race relations and racial-equality. He supported republican Richard Nixon in the 1960 Presidential Election, but later regretted it. He supported Nelson Rockefeller’s presidential bid in 1964 and even worked for Rockefeller. In 1968, Robinson supported democrat Hubert H. Humphrey for president.

In concluding I Never Had It Made, Robinson focuses on differences that he had with Malcolm X, the influence of Martin Luther King Jr, and his oldest son’s drug addiction. Although Jr eventually quit using drugs entirely and became a drug counselor, he died tragically in an automobile accident a little more than a year before the book’s publication. Robinson closes the book exploring the issue of the lack of African Americans in managerial, coaching, and front office positions in Major League Baseball.