In his autobiography, Buck O'Neill tells of being a black man who played professional baseball before African-Americans were allowed to play in the all-white major leagues. By the time the color barrier was broken in 1947, O'Neill was considered too old to play in the big leagues, as were most of his teammates. Many of his friends grew bitter about their missed opportunities. O'Neill writes:

At a reunion of Negro league players in Ashland, Kentucky, a reporter from Sports Illustrated asked me if I had any regrets, coming along as I did before Jackie Robinson integrated the major leagues. And this is what I told him then: "Waste no tears for me. I didn't come along too early—I was right on time . . . I don't have a bitter story. I truly believe I have been blessed."

The title of O'Neill's book reflects his cheerful optimism and his belief in the sovereignty of God. Despite missing fame and fortune, O'Neill chose to title his autobiography I Was Right on Time.