Jackie Robinson: My Own Story

by Jackie Robinson, Wendell Smith, Branch Rickey (Introduction)

Autobiography of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, beginning with his athletic career and dealing particularly with baseball and the first step toward equal participation by African Americans in this great sport.“I believe that a man’s race, color, and religion should never constitute a handicap. The denial to anyone, anywhere, any time of equality of opportunity to work is incomprehensible to me. Moreover, I believe that the American public is not as concerned with a first baseman’s pigmentation as it is with the power of his swing, the dexterity of his slide, the gracefulness of his fielding, or the speed of his legs.”—From Foreword by Branch Hickey

Genres: Baseball, Biography, Sports, Audiobook, Nonfiction

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played in his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, integrating Major League Baseball and alternating the course of 20th century American history. Nearly seventy five years later, Robinson remains a key figure in American history as his actions made him a role model for generations of African Americans. Each year I attempt to read a Robinson biography in January in honor of his birthday month. This year is even more meaningful because Robinson’s widow Rachel is turning one hundred years old. The occasion might call for more than one book read, which is not much of an issue because it seems that there are always new Robinson biographies being published, exploring new angles on the life of this great man. Rather than read a traditional biography this time around, I selected Robinson’s memoir My Own Story, which was first published in 1948 and is now back in print. Taking me back to his groundbreaking 1946 and 1947 seasons, I knew that I would be in for another special ride through baseball history.

Two years ago I made it a point to focus my reading on civil rights in honor of the 100th anniversary of Robinson’s birth. I have read many biographies on him, including a defining work by Arnold Rampersad and a study of the 1947 season by Jonathan Eig. Being a lifetime fan and student of baseball, I know Robinson’s story well. In 1947, not all white fans of America’s pastime were as familiar with Robinson’s history as I am today. The movie 42 showed how divided America was as to his presence in Major League Baseball. There were as many fans and players rooting for Robinson as there were rooting against him. Brooklyn Dodgers team President Branch Rickey had a kernel of an idea to integrate baseball for most of his adult life but had to wait for the time to be right to conduct his “experiment.” That time was after World War II when colored veterans returning from the service expected the same rights at home as their Caucasian counterparts. This was a war to end fascism abroad; however, on the home front, African Americans were still denied many civil rights that today are commonplace. Rickey desired an upstanding citizen who would have the courage not to fight back against both verbal and physical racial taunting. After looking into Robinson’s background, Rickey believed that Jack Roosevelt Robinson was his man to integrate organized baseball.

Even though Robinson ghostwrote a column in the New York Eagle during and after his playing days had ended, I do not believe he was much of a writer. Robinson did attend UCLA and letter in four sports, but his primary focus in college was athletics, rather than academics. Relationships with his coaches at UCLA helped mold Robinson into the man that he became, as he pursued coaching and then a stint in the army before joining the Kansas City Monachs of the Negro League. My Own Story had been first published in early 1948 after Robinson’s first successful season with the Dodgers. Both the original and new editions include a forward by Wendell Smith of the Pittsburgh Courier. I am convinced that Smith, self-proclaimed as Robinson’s “Boswell”, did most of the writing of this book, or at least edited the majority of the words. How else would a book of this length be published shortly after a baseball season finished. Perhaps, Smith, after getting to know and interviewing Robinson on a regular basis, had been working on the manuscript during the entire season. As today, celebrity memoirs will always be considered hit or miss. Smith’s words describing Robinson’s character is, of course, a huge hit as it insightfully describes what Robinson went through during the 1947 season. Reading these first person words add yet another layer to the historical significance of this event.

Included in this edition are a good fifty pages of photographs. These photographs, primary source documents in their own right, take readers back to Robinson’s 1946 season in Montreal and 1947 season in Brooklyn. We see Jackie and Rachel board a plane en route to spring training in Florida, and then see Jackie meet with his new teammates and manager Clay Hopper, a southern gentleman. We experience Jackie’s time in Montreal and see the crowd reaction when Jackie flies around the base paths as he manufactures runs for the 1947 Dodgers. Robinson was twenty six years old during the 1947 season. He knew that he had to succeed or that he would set his race back a few generations. Thinking of being an example for his race gave Robinson the elusive courage Rickey desired for him not to fight back. Going against his character gained Robinson many fans both on and off of the Dodgers. After a slow start, Robinson took off, especially on the base paths, leading the Dodgers to the 1947 pennant, where they would play in an epic World Series against their arch nemesis, the Yankees. The Series is not described at length here although Robinson is grateful for the opportunity. Following the season, sports writers voted him rookie of the year in the national league, citing that it was for his baseball achievements only. From that point on, the awards and accolades would continue for Robinson and do to this day. The account ends with the end to the 1947 season, leaving readers and fans excited for what came next in 1948.

With Jackie Robinson’s birthday celebration on baseball’s flagship station just around the corner, I am excited for the annual showing of the Jackie Robinson story. I get chills seeing him speak before the camera and watching him run the base paths, his pigeon toed gait one of a kind. I am curious as to what new initiatives baseball has planned in honor of Robinson’s birthday this year. It is always the crown jewel of the off-season, leaving me excited for a new baseball season beginning sooner than later. This year with Rachel Robinson turning one hundred years old I hope that Major League Baseball pulls out all of the stops. This couple was and is American royalty, and are some of my favorite heroes to read about at any time. Reading Robinson’s own account of his story that I know well adds another rich layer to his prominent place in American history.

⚾️ 4.5 stars ⚾️

[JPS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Ever since I watched 42, I wanted to read Jackie’s story through his own words and if I am being honest, I found it way better than the movie itself. A lot of what the movie portrayed was magnified opposed to what really happened in the book and even in Jackie’s eyes. I found it really awesome how his perspective never changed no matter what happened. Robinson was happy to get an opportunity, and made the most of it. He was so good and so talented, his impact was massive regardless of his race. I absolutely loved this read and highly recommend it.

[Eric Lallier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been in a huge reading slump, so with Jackie Robinson Day this Saturday, I put my other titles on hold to read a book I've read many times before. A book that I love wholeheartedly. It was exactly what I needed.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short listen as it is not a full autobiography but only a novel of Jackie’s entry into professional Major League Baseball, a story that ends after his first year with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. While I will not assume that the words were not Jackie’s own, it did feel like he painted a rosier picture than was actually accurate. Since he was still playing in the MLB, he might have felt that he could not be completely honest about his feelings and experiences. Regardless, it was an interesting story. I particularly enjoyed the recap of the various news reports of the day and their prognostications of Jackie’s future success or failure, mostly settling on the later. From other reviews, it seems that I should read his later autobiography, I Never Had It Made, for a full account of his baseball experience and the racism and difficulties that he had to overcome.

[Scott Vout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a baseball fan for over 45 years. Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows about Jackie Robinson. This one I did audiobook style and Jackie was the reader.

The man was a barrier breaker and a trail blazer. Hearing his story in his own words was very enjoyable.

I was a big fan of the movie 42 and many of the tales he tells in this book where recreated very accurately in the movie. Glad they stayed true in some cases.

Great book, great man. If you are a baseball fan give this one a read.

[Erika Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting, but it really glazes over the color barrier and racism Robinson faced while playing baseball. I didn’t realize until after I finished it that he wrote this after his first season in the majors, so he likely couldn’t be honest about what he went through while still trying to prove that Black Americans belong in professional baseball. From a baseball perspective, this book is enjoyable. I liked the insight into his sports career and how he worked his way up to the majors. But from a historical perspective, a lot of context is missing.

[Beau Stubblefield/Tave · Rating 5 out of 5]

An American Hero’s Story

Jackie Robinson wrote “I Never Had it Made” after finishing his Hall of Fame career and leading the Dodgers to their only World Series win in Brooklyn

This book ends with his rookie year and a 7 game World Series loss to the Yankees

They are each wonderful alone and even better together!

[Michael Mulraney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written and personable. Told with Jackie’s humility and pleasant disposition in the face of cruelty.

In an era where we’re seeing the shuttering of sports pages, it was uniquely interesting to hear how much Jackie appreciated the kind words of reporters and credited their efforts with his broader acceptance across baseball.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie's own story written autobiographically after his first season in the majors.

Very refreshing, heartening story.

Was a poignant read after reading Caste

[Suzanne Hetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Jackie Robinson is clearly exceptional. The book didn't cover his whole life. Just through the first World Series he played in

[John Stinebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great telling of Jackies own version of breaking into professional baseball. A must read for baseball fans and fans of humanity in general.

[Ann Bradley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackieeeeeeeeee

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to hear his perspective on all the injustices the courage he showed was incredible.

His why kept him going- he thought about every young African American boy that would see him succeed. So awesome