Yankees legend fires salvo at owners: Won’t let former greats help the team

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Criticized for helping the Astros, Yankees legend Reggie Jackson has finally opened up about not working with his former team. According to him, the Yankees owners don’t value the opinions of the former greats and aren’t giving them the chance to be involved in decision-making.

Reggie Jackson made an appearance on Fox Sports’ pregame show before the ALCS Game 6 between the Astros and Rangers. As a special adviser to the Astros since 2021, he sat on a panel that included former Yankees Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, along with Red Sox legend David Ortiz.

During their discussion, Rodriguez asked Reggie Jackson about the major distinctions between the Yankees and Astros organizations. Reggie Jackson, who was a star for the Yankees from 1977 to 1981 and currently has an advisory role in Houston, explained what led him to join the Astros after Houston’s owner, Jim Crane, made the offer.

Reggie’s outburst against Yankees owners

He pointed out that great Yankees players, such as Derek Jeter, Alex, Reggie, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, or Mariano Rivera, didn’t have their voices heard or the opportunity to participate in certain matters related to the team. Reggie Jackson also highlighted his own decision to step away from the Yankees was primarily because he wanted to contribute his knowledge to the game.

Even though Pettitte returned to the Yankees as an adviser this past season, Reggie Jackson’s concerns about the level of influence ex-players have in the Bronx were not new or limited to this occasion.

“Whether you’re Derek Jeter or whether you’re Alex or Reggie or Andy Pettitte or Bernie Williams or Mariano Rivera, your voice isn’t heard,” Jackson told. “You don’t participate. I walked away because I wanted to be involved and leave my knowledge in the game. We didn’t get a chance to be involved in some of the say-so, and our opinions didn’t really get valued.”

He pointed out that the most significant distinction between them, as well as many other teams, particularly the Yankees, was that the voices of former great players weren’t considered or they weren’t actively involved in certain matters related to the team. Reggie Jackson mentioned that he made the decision to walk away because he wanted to contribute his knowledge to the game.

Jackson also expressed his belief that individuals like Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, and himself still had a strong attachment to the Yankees. However, they didn’t have the opportunity to participate in decision-making, and their opinions were not highly valued.

“I’d say the biggest difference between us, and really most other teams and especially with the Yankees… your voice isn’t heard,” he said. “You didn’t participate. You know, I walked away because I wanted to be involved and leave my knowledge in the game. I certainly think that I know that Derek Jeter still loves the Yankees. Andy Pettitte still loves the Yankees. (Rodriguez) is still a Yankee and I’m still a Yankee, but we didn’t get a chance to be involved in some of the say-so in our opinions really didn’t get valued.”

Why Reggie Jackson left the Bronx

In a recent documentary titled “Reggie” on Prime Video, Reggie Jackson asserted that his decline in favor as “Mr. October” coincided with the passing of the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the growing influence of analytics in the game.

In the documentary, Reggie Jackson admitted that he had been vocal and forthright in expressing his opinions, perhaps excessively so. He acknowledged that he didn’t merely feel content to be part of the team.

Reggie Jackson, who has notably sported Astros hats with “Mr. October” branding in past Octobers, has become increasingly critical of the Yankees organization in recent times. In his documentary, he described how the Yankees made him “feel like a hood ornament.”

This sentiment led him to part ways with the Yankees organization in 2021 and become a special advisor to Astros owner Jim Crane.

Reggie Jackson also highlighted that he now feels like he’s “part of the mix” in Houston, emphasizing the importance of diversity, a key focus for the 77-year-old baseball icon.

His recent remarks coincide with increased scrutiny of the Yankees’ use of analytics, both internally and externally. In the past year, the organization has bolstered its roster with individuals boasting extensive experience in playing and scouting. Notable additions include Andy Pettitte, second-half hitting coach Sean Casey, and advisors Omar Minaya and Brian Sabean.

In contrast, Reggie Jackson appears content with his role in Houston, where owner Jim Crane also seeks counsel from former players such as Astros legends Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. This dynamic showcases Reggie Jackson’s satisfaction with the Astros’ approach and the involvement of former players in their operations.

On Fox, Reggie Jackson expressed his fondness for his time with the Yankees and his hope to continue enjoying his work there. He mentioned working with a great colleague and noted that baseball had been very good to him.

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