I Never Had It Made

Chapter 6, “My Own Man,” expounds on Rickey's decision at the end of the 1948 season to allow Robinson to be himself in how he deals with racial abuse and injustice. Rickey came to this decision because Robinson had delivered heroically on his turn the other cheek vow in his rookie season, but also because he saw how the tension was building up within Robinson, and he was afraid that their relationship would be damaged if he did not “issue an emancipation proclamation for him” (78). Robinson admits that he had plenty of stored up hostility, and even that there were thoughts of retribution for his previous treatment, but most of all, he just wanted to be himself. Robinson responded to this newfound freedom by putting together a remarkable 1949 season, winning the National League batting title, Most Valuable Player Award, and leading the Dodgers to another pennant. 

Robinson learned a valuable lesson about double standards in 1949. He was frequently accused of being ungrateful and “popping off” when he spoke out, but as long as he “appeared to ignore insult and injury, [he] was a martyred hero to a lot of people who seemed to have sympathy for the underdog” (79). This reputation for now speaking his mind was likely the primary reason for a major off-field occurrence that took place in 1949. Robinson was invited to testify before Congress in its House Un-American Activities Committee. The rigorously anti-communist committee had wanted Robinson “to give the lie to statements made by Paul Robeson” (81). Robeson, an athlete, entertainer, and civil rights activist who rose to great fame in the 1920s, had said that “American Negroes would not fight for America in case of a war against Russia” (82). Robinson, a noted patriotic and pro-military individual, did disagree with Robeson and said as much in front of Congress, but he was clearly conflicted about testifying. Acknowledging the great respect that he has for Robeson because of his lifelong commitment to ending racial discrimination, Robinson still felt that he was guilty of attempting to speak for all blacks.

In beginning Chapter 7, “The Price of Popularity,” with anecdotes about his family life, Robinson continues to explore off-field issues, including Dodger management, his relationship with the press, and race relations in regard to integration. The Robinson’s second child, Sharon, was born prior to the 1950 season, and the biographical Hollywood movie The Jackie Robinson Story was released as well, with Robinson starring as himself and actress Ruby Dee portraying Rachel. Additionally, Robinson writes very openly about fatherhood and the challenges that came with Jackie Jr. growing up in the shadow of his famous father.

According to Robinson, the Dodgers organization refused to give Rickey a new contract at the end of the 1950 season, and he was forced out entirely, with Walter O’Malley becoming the new club president. O’Malley’s dislike for Rickey was well known, and Robinson argues that he then became a target of O’Malley’s due to the close relationship that he had shared with Rickey, even describing O’Malley’s attitude toward him as “viciously antagonistic” (92). Not only did Robinson begin to have problems with the new Dodgers management, but his newfound freedom to speak out often led to an inflamed relationship with some sportswriters.

Dick Young, a well-known sports columnist for the New York Daily News, became a thorn in Robinson’s side during his time in the majors. When a rift started to develop between Robinson and Roy Campanella, the Dodgers African American All Star catcher, because the two players had very differing views regarding civil rights activism, Young openly agreed with Campanella’s passive stance, once telling Robinson that “wearing your race on your sleeve makes enemies” (96). On another occasion, Young said to Robinson “when I talk to Campy, I almost never think of him as a Negro. Any time I talk to you, I’m acutely aware of the fact that you’re a Negro” (97). Robinson closes the chapter by exploring the issue of racial integration, in which he denounces white segregationists and black separatists.  

Continuing the trend from his previous chapter of discussing family life rather than baseball, Robinson explores his family’s move from the St. Albans section of Long Island, New York to Stamford, Connecticut in Chapter 8, “The Growing Family.” In fact, the entire chapter has scarcely a mention of baseball at all, instead focusing almost entirely on issues surrounding Robinson’s children. Following the birth of Sharon, in 1950, and their youngest child, David, in 1952, the Robinsons determined that a move was necessary.

While the family did finally build their own home in Connecticut in 1954, Robinson declared that through the house-hunting process, they “became even more acutely aware that racial prejudice and discrimination in housing is viscous” (105). This discussion also leads to Robinson’s thoughts concerning integration in public schools and the decisions faced by black parents as to assuring that their children are in racially-mixed classes or to assure that their children are not in the situation of being the only black child in school. Additionally, Robinson discusses the respective personalities of his children in great detail.

In Chapter 9, “The Ninth Inning,” Robinson covers his final three seasons in the major leagues. On top of the already-strained relationship between Robinson and the Dodgers front office in 1954, the club hired a new manager in Walter Alston, who had a similarly poor relationship with Robinson. By the end of that season, Robinson was preparing to leave baseball, explaining “I loved the game but my experience had not been typical—I was tired of fighting the press, the front office—and I knew that I was reaching the end of my peak years as an athlete” (118). During Robinson’s first eight seasons with the Dodgers, the club won the National League pennant four times, but lost to the New York Yankees in each World Series (1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953). The 1955 season would change that, as the Dodgers once again reached the World Series and once again faced the Yankees, but this time came away as champions. Although Robinson did play a pivotal role for the 1955 club, his playing time had been cut back and it decreased even more the following season, which he decided would be his last.

In closing the chapter, Robinson discusses this decision, the process of retiring, and what he had planned for the future. Robinson describes two things that were pivotal in helping him reach the decision to retire: He met businessman Bill Black, of the Chock full o’ Nuts coffee company, was offered the position of vice president of the company, and Look Magazine approached him with a generous offer for an exclusive story about his retirement. Because it was shrouded in secrecy due to the Look offer, the retirement was a little tricky. Before the club was aware of his plans, the Dodgers actually traded Robinson to the New York Giants, for a pitcher and $30,000, and the Giants attempted to lure him back to play, but his decision was final. Robinson sums up his baseball career: “The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it” (122).