Reggie Jackson: The Yankees’ Mr. October

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The Profile

Reggie Jackson, a player known for his outspoken and charismatic personality, never shied away from expressing his thoughts openly. He possessed exceptional talent and was well aware of it. Back in 1973, during his time with the Oakland Athletics, Reggie Jackson boldly proclaimed that if he were playing in New York, they would even name a candy bar after him. Remarkably, within just five years, those audacious words became a reality.

When he finally got there in 1977, he said: “I didn’t come to New York to be a star, I brought my star with me”.

Reggie Jackson’s star power reached its pinnacle on baseball’s most prestigious platform, the World Series, where he was named the Most Valuable Player in 1973 and 1977. In five World Series appearances, Reggie Jackson delivered 10 home runs, 24 RBI, and an impressive .357 batting average. However, his most unforgettable moment in the Fall Classic occurred during Game 6 of the 1977 World Series when he accomplished the incredible feat of hitting three home runs on three consecutive pitches, a performance that earned him the enduring nickname “Mr. October.” Steve Garvey, the Dodgers’ first baseman, later admitted, “I must confess, when Reggie hit his third home run, and I was certain no one was watching, I applauded inside my glove.” Beyond his baseball prowess, Reggie also shone off the field, making appearances in movies and television shows.

Reggie Jackson boasted a remarkable baseball career, marked by numerous accolades. He was a 14-time American League All-Star and played a pivotal role in five World Series championship teams. His standout year was in 1973 when he clinched the American League MVP Award, leading the league in home runs, RBI, and runs scored. After his successful stint in New York spanning five years, Reggie returned to the West Coast, signing with the California Angels. During his inaugural season with the Angels, he once again topped the league in home runs. Reggie Jackson eventually concluded his career where it had all begun, rejoining the Athletics.

Over his 21 seasons in the major leagues, Reggie Jackson amassed impressive statistics, including 2,548 hits, 563 home runs, and 1,702 RBI. He earned the moniker “Mr. October” due to his clutch performances in postseason play. Recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

A star was born

Reggie Jackson was born in the Wyncote neighborhood of Cheltenham Township, situated just north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Martinez Jackson, was of mixed Puerto Rican heritage, worked as a tailor, and had played as a second baseman with the Newark Eagles in the Negro league baseball. Reggie was the youngest among Clara’s four children and had two half-siblings from his father’s prior marriage. His parents separated when he was six, with his mother taking three of his siblings and his father taking three from his previous marriage, although one later returned to Wyncote. In this predominantly white neighborhood, the Jacksons were one of the few Black families.

Reggie Jackson graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1964, where he excelled in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Despite a knee injury during his junior year while playing football, doctors initially declared that he would never play football again. However, Jackson made a remarkable return for the final game of the season, where he suffered another severe injury, fracturing five cervical vertebrae, leading to a lengthy hospitalization and a month in a neck cast. Despite doctors’ dire predictions about his ability to walk, let alone play football, Jackson defied the odds. On the baseball diamond, he boasted an impressive .550 batting average and threw several no-hitters. During his senior year, his father was arrested for bootlegging and sentenced to six months in jail.

For football, Reggie Jackson received scholarship offers from prominent schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma, all of whom were willing to break the racial barriers of the time to recruit him. He declined offers from Alabama and Georgia due to concerns about the South’s racial climate and rejected Oklahoma because of their stance against interracial dating. In baseball, the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins expressed interest, while the Philadelphia Phillies conducted a tryout but passed on him due to concerns about his hitting abilities.

Reggie Jackson was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and track, drawing the attention of numerous scouts. Despite his father’s wishes for him to pursue a college education and avoid a professional contract, Jackson received a football scholarship to Arizona State University, where he began his collegiate journey.

Notably, his father, Martinez Jackson, was absent from this significant chapter of his life, having been arrested and imprisoned for making moonshine in their basement during Reggie’s senior year in high school.

During his time at Arizona State, Reggie Jackson found new mentors who played crucial roles in his life. The football coach, Frank Kush, instilled toughness in him through demanding drills. Reggie Jackson’s exceptional speed allowed him to excel in football as a starting defensive back and captain in a top-tier program.

While Reggie Jackson initially asked for permission to play baseball as part of his scholarship agreement, he had to maintain a B average. He arranged a tryout during his freshman year and displayed impressive power, earning a spot on the freshman baseball team. Coach Bobby Winkles recognized Jackson’s potential but advised him to play for a Baltimore amateur team in the summer to refine his skills. This team, run by a Baltimore Orioles scout named Walter Youse, was predominantly white, and Youse only realized Reggie was Black when he arrived for the tryout. After a summer of intense competition, Jackson returned to Arizona State for his sophomore year and secured the starting position in center field.

In his sophomore year in 1966, Reggie Jackson broke the team’s single-season home run record, led in numerous statistical categories, and earned the distinction of being a first-team All-American. Scouts from various teams, including Tom Greenwade of the New York Yankees (known for discovering Mickey Mantle) and Danny Murtaugh of the Pittsburgh Pirates, closely watched him play. Notably, Jackson became the first college player to hit a home run out of Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Minor leagues

In the 1966 Major League Baseball draft that took place on June 7th, Reggie Jackson was chosen as the second overall pick by the Kansas City Athletics. This marked the beginning of a series of prolonged negotiations between him and the Athletics’ owner, Charles O. Finley. Reggie Jackson, accompanied by his recently released father, traveled to Finley’s farm in Indiana to reach an agreement, which included a $95,000 signing bonus.

Initially, Reggie Jackson started his professional career with Lewiston in the Low Class A Northwest League but was swiftly transferred to Modesto in the high-A California League. It was with the Modesto team that he crossed paths with several players who would become significant figures in his early years in the majors, including Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, and Dave Duncan. These players already displayed exceptional talent during their time in Modesto. When the Modesto team faced Bakersfield in a series, the local newspaper’s headline boldly proclaimed, “Call Out the National Guard, the Modesto Reds Are in Town.”

During the home opener at Bengal Field in Lewiston on June 30, Reggie Jackson demonstrated his prowess with a double and a triple. In his final game as a Bronc on July 6, he faced a pitch that struck him in the head during the first inning. Remarkably, he continued to play, contributing by driving in runs with two sacrifice flies. However, as he began experiencing a headache, he exited the game during the ninth inning, subsequently being admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewiston and remaining there overnight for observation.

In 1966, Reggie Jackson played for two Class A teams, spending only 12 games with the Broncs and then moving on to play 56 games with Modesto in the California League, where he impressively hit 21 home runs. The following year, he commenced the season with the Birmingham A’s in the Double-A Southern League, located in Birmingham, Alabama. During his time there, he was among the few Black players on the team. The racially segregated environment in Alabama left Reggie Jackson feeling uneasy and fearful. He described experiencing discomfort and awkwardness in the heart of Dixie. Despite these challenges, his performance with the Birmingham A’s earned him a midseason promotion to the Kansas City team. He acknowledged the crucial support of the team’s manager at the time, John McNamara, who helped him navigate through this challenging season.

Reggie Jackson’s MLB debut

In 1967, Reggie Jackson made his major league debut with the A’s during a doubleheader in Kansas City on June 9. The games against the Cleveland Indians resulted in shutout victories for the A’s, with scores of 2–0 and 6–0 at Municipal Stadium. However, his initial exposure to the majors proved challenging, as he managed only a .178 batting average and was subsequently sent back down to the minor leagues. This demotion was emotionally difficult for him, but his manager in Birmingham, John McNamara, provided crucial support during this challenging period. Reggie Jackson would later be managed by McNamara again in both Oakland and Anaheim, and he credited McNamara for helping him navigate the complexities of success and failure in a Deep South environment as a 21-year-old.

Moving forward to the 1968 season, Reggie Jackson began with the Oakland Athletics after the franchise relocated there under the ownership of Charles O. Finley. Despite his initial “cup of coffee” in the majors, Reggie Jackson started the season strongly, hitting .309 with four home runs by the end of April. However, his batting average dropped to .231 in early June, and in May, he hit just one home run.

Nonetheless, Reggie Jackson regained his power hitting in June, eventually concluding the season with 29 home runs and a .250 batting average. His ability to deliver home runs solidified his place in a lineup featuring key players such as Sal Bando, Joe Rudi, and Bert Campaneris, with the latter serving as a dynamic base stealer who led the lineup. Although Rick Monday played center field, it was Bando, Reggie Jackson, Campaneris, and Rudi who formed the core of the Oakland Athletics teams that would dominate the American League throughout the 1970s.

In 1969, Reggie Jackson’s power hitting continued as he hit 47 home runs, briefly surpassing the pace set by Roger Maris when he set the single-season home run record with 61 in 1961, as well as Babe Ruth’s previous record of 60 in 1927.

However, Reggie Jackson faced challenges in May 1970 when he experienced a slump at the plate. The Athletics’ owner, Charlie O. Finley, even threatened to send him to the minor leagues. He finished the 1970 season with 23 home runs and a batting average of .237. Subsequently, he was sent to play in Puerto Rico, where he played for the Santurce team and led the league in both home runs (20) and RBIs (47). Notably, Reggie Jackson delivered a memorable home run during the 1971 All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. Representing the American League against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis, Reggie Jackson’s hit soared above the right-field stands, striking the transformer of a light standard on the right field roof. This feat became particularly remarkable as he later repeated it during his time with the Angels in 1984, hitting a home run over that same roof.

In 1971, the Athletics began asserting their dominance in the American League by winning 101 games and capturing the West Division title. With key contributors such as Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Mike Epstein, the A’s offense proved formidable, complemented by exceptional pitching. However, they were swept in the 1971 American League Championship Series by the Baltimore Orioles.

The A’s reclaimed the division title in 1972, and their series against the Tigers extended to five games. Reggie Jackson played a crucial role by scoring the tying run with a daring steal of home. Unfortunately, he tore a hamstring during this play and was unable to participate in the World Series. Despite this setback, the A’s managed to defeat the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. In the spring training of 1972, Jackson sported a mustache. Even though his teammates initially urged him to shave it off, Reggie Jackson resisted. Surprisingly, Finley liked the mustache so much that he offered each player $300 to grow one, and he hosted a “Mustache Day” event that featured Frenchy Bordagaray, the last MLB player to wear a mustache, as the master of ceremonies.

In 1973, Reggie Jackson continued to play a vital role as the Athletics secured their division title and eventually won the World Series. His performance throughout the season earned him the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. During the World Series, he not only had the opportunity to play but also received the Series’ MVP award. In Game 6 of the World Series, the A’s took a commanding 4–0 lead in the third inning as both Bert Campaneris and Reggie Jackson hit two-run home runs off Jon Matlack. These were the only two home runs Oakland hit during the entire Series. The A’s won the World Series again in 1974, this time defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

In 1973, Reggie Jackson led the league with 32 home runs and 117 RBIs, along with a .293 batting average and 22 stolen bases. His remarkable collective performance secured him the MVP season he had aspired to achieve the previous year. He became a unanimous selection for the MVP award, joining a select group of only five other players who had been elected unanimously: Hank Greenberg, Al Rosen, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, and Denny McLain. In January, The Sporting News recognized Reggie Jackson as its Player of the Year.

In February 1974, Reggie Jackson won an arbitration case that resulted in a $135,000 salary for the season, nearly doubling his previous year’s earnings of $70,000. However, on June 5 of that year, an altercation in the clubhouse at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium between outfielder Billy North and Reggie Jackson resulted in injuries. He hurt his shoulder during the fight, while catcher Ray Fosse, who was attempting to separate them, suffered a crushed disk in his neck. This injury sidelined Fosse for three months. Despite these challenges, the A’s went on to win their third consecutive World Series.

Before the 1975 season, Reggie Jackson aimed for a $168,000 contract but ended up settling for $140,000 after arbitration ruled against him. He then launched a formidable offensive assault on American League pitching, securing another home run title and guiding the Athletics to yet another West Division title. Despite their fifth consecutive division win, the Athletics faced vulnerability due to the departure of pitcher Catfish Hunter, who became baseball’s first modern free agent. In the American League Championship Series (ALCS), they were swept by the Boston Red Sox.

However, in a surprising move, Reggie Jackson was traded to the Baltimore Orioles just seven days before the opening day of the 1976 season. Despite having expressed his desire to explore the free-agent market and frequently asking owner Charlie O. Finley for a trade, Reggie Jackson was deeply affected by the news. His performance at the start of the season was sluggish, with a batting average of just .208 and a meager four home runs by June 13. He began to demonstrate power hitting later in the month, ultimately tallying 27 home runs. However, the Orioles were unable to close the gap on the Yankees and concluded the season as the runners-up in the AL East, trailing by 10½ games.

Signing with the Yankees

The Yankees clinched the pennant in 1976 but faced a World Series sweep by the Reds. On November 29, just a month later, Reggie Jackson signed a substantial five-year contract with the Yankees, amounting to $2.96 million. He chose to wear the number 44, a tribute to Hank Aaron, after initially sporting No. 20 briefly during spring training as a nod to the recently retired Frank Robinson.

However, Reggie Jackson’s inaugural season with the Yankees in 1977 was marked by challenges. While team owner George Steinbrenner and several players, notably Thurman Munson and Lou Piniella, were enthusiastic about his arrival, field manager Billy Martin was not. Martin had managed the Tigers in 1972 when A’s defeated them in the playoffs. Reggie Jackson had once stated that he disliked Martin but acknowledged that he might come to appreciate him if he played under his management.

A critical incident occurred on June 18 during a nationally televised game against the Red Sox in Boston. In a late-game play, Reggie Jackson misjudged a pop fly off the bat of Jim Rice, which resulted in a hit. Martin believed that he was not giving his best effort and decided to remove him from the game during the inning. This sparked a heated confrontation between Reggie Jackson and Martin, with both exchanging strong words and nearly coming to blows. Only the intervention of Yankee coaches Yogi Berra and Elston Howard prevented an actual fistfight.

Further tension arose from an interview with SPORT magazine writer Robert Ward, which strained Reggie Jackson’s relationships with his new teammates. During the interview, held at the Yankees’ Fort Lauderdale camp, Reggie Jackson reportedly commented on the team’s need for an extra ingredient to win the World Series, suggesting that he could be that missing piece. Ward quoted him as saying, “This team, it all flows from me. I’m the straw that stirs the drink. Maybe I should say me and Munson, but he can only stir it bad.” Jackson maintained that his comments were taken out of context and denied making negative remarks about Munson.

Reggie Jackson’s World Series performance in 1977 generated significant media attention, with comparisons being drawn to Babe Ruth, even dubbing him the “black Babe Ruth.” He won the World Series MVP award for the second time, solidifying his nickname “Mr. October.”

In 1978, Reggie Jackson played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ victory over the Dodgers in the World Series, alongside Graig Nettles, contributing to the success of the potent New York lineup. However, the following season took a somber turn as team captain Thurman Munson tragically died in a plane crash on August 2. Munson’s death had a profound impact on the team and deeply affected Reggie Jackson, who had forged a close friendship with him.

Despite the Yankees’ fourth-place finish in 1979 and the firing of manager Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1980, batting .300 for the first time and hitting 41 home runs. The Yankees secured a first-place finish in the AL East but were swept by the Royals in the ALCS.

The strike-shortened 1981 season saw Reggie Jackson playing a reduced role, but he and the Yankees made it to the World Series once more. He continued to demonstrate his clutch performance in October, although the Dodgers ultimately defeated the Yankees in six games.

Following the World Series loss, Reggie Jackson’s five-year stint with the Yankees came to an end. Reflecting on his time in New York, he expressed regret, stating that signing with the Yankees had been a colossal mistake. When asked if he would make the same choice again, he emphatically responded, “I would not have signed with them in a million years. Not a chance.”

Eager to leave New York and return to California, Reggie Jackson signed a five-year deal with the California Angels starting in 1982. During his first season with the Angels, he had a strong performance, hitting 39 home runs and driving in 101 runs. The Angels clinched the American League West title but were unable to advance further in the postseason.

In 1983, Reggie Jackson reunited with former manager John McNamara during his second year with the Angels. However, he struggled, posting the worst season of his career with a batting average of just .194 and 14 home runs. Over the next three years, Reggie Jackson continued to contribute to the Angels, but the team failed to reach the postseason.

On September 17, 1984, the 17th anniversary of his first home run, Reggie Jackson hit his 500th career home run at Anaheim Stadium against Bud Black of the Royals.

Concluding his time with the Angels, Reggie Jackson decided to finish his illustrious career where it had started, with the Oakland Athletics. In his final season at 41 years old, numerous teams celebrated his last appearance with special “Reggie Jackson days.” It was a farewell tour for one of the most talented and colorful players of his era, as fans chanted “Reggie, Reggie.” After 21 major league seasons, he retired at the end of the 1987 season with 563 home runs, which ranked him sixth on the career home run list at that time.

Legacy

Reggie Jackson earned the moniker “Mr. October” due to his exceptional clutch hitting during the postseason, notably with the Athletics and the Yankees. His contributions played a pivotal role in Oakland’s triumphs, including five consecutive American League West division titles, three successive American League pennants, and an unprecedented three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974. Reggie Jackson further enhanced his legacy with the Yankees, aiding them in securing four American League East divisional pennants, three American League pennants, and back-to-back World Series titles in 1977 and 1978. His remarkable achievements extended to the California Angels, where he played a key role in helping them win two AL West divisional titles in 1982 and 1986. Notably, during the 1977 World Series, Jackson achieved a remarkable feat by hitting three consecutive home runs at Yankee Stadium during the decisive Game Six.

In terms of individual accomplishments, Reggie Jackson amassed 563 career home runs and was selected as an American League (AL) All-Star on 14 occasions. His outstanding offensive prowess earned him two Silver Slugger Awards, the highly coveted AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 1973, two World Series MVP Awards, and the prestigious Babe Ruth Award in 1977. Reggie Jackson’s impact on the game was so profound that both the Yankees and the Athletics chose to retire his uniform number, with the Yankees doing so in 1993 and the Athletics following suit in 2004. Remarkably, he continued to influence the baseball world even after his playing days, serving as a special advisor to the Houston Astros and witnessing their victory in the 2022 World Series, marking his sixth championship connection.

Throughout his illustrious 21-year baseball career, Reggie Jackson led his teams to first place an impressive ten times and experienced only two losing seasons.

On January 5, 1993, Reggie Jackson received a well-deserved honor when he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the very first ballot. His Hall of Fame plaque portrays him in the uniform of his inaugural team, the Athletics. His father, Martinez, who had played a pivotal role in Reggie’s life, had the privilege of witnessing his son’s induction but sadly passed away the following spring.

While Reggie Jackson did not marry, he formed meaningful connections with his mother, father, and siblings, gradually closing the emotional gaps that had persisted. Furthermore, he became a father himself when a close woman friend gave birth to their daughter, Kimberly, who emerged as an invaluable and enduring presence in his life.

Beyond his baseball career, Reggie Jackson dabbled in the world of entertainment, making appearances on various TV series such as “The Love Boat,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “MacGyver,” and appearing in films including “Ri¢hie Ri¢h,” “BASEketball,” “Summer of Sam,” and his most iconic role in “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” where he portrayed a comically eccentric assassin with a mission to eliminate the Queen of England. Notably, he was also depicted by actor Daniel Sunjata in the ESPN mini-series “The Bronx Is Burning,” which chronicled the events of the 1977 New York Yankees.

In addition to his Hall of Fame induction, both the Yankees and the Athletics paid tribute to Reggie Jackson’s exceptional contributions to the sport by retiring his uniform number. The Yankees did so on August 14, 1993, shortly after his induction into the Hall of Fame, and the Athletics followed suit on May 22, 2004. Reggie Jackson stands as one of only ten MLB players to have their numbers retired by more than one team, and he joins an exclusive group of five players whose different numbers have been retired by two MLB teams. Furthermore, in 2018, during an Athletics game against the Yankees in Oakland, Reggie Jackson received the honor of being inducted into the newly established Oakland Athletics Hall of Fame.

Greatest Moments

• 14-time AL All-Star (1969, 1971-1975 & 1977-1984)
• AL MVP in 1973
• 1973 World Series MVP
• 1977 World Series MVP
• 2-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1980/DH & 1982/OF)
• 3-time AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1969, 1973 & 1976)
• 2-time AL OPS Leader (1969 & 1973)
• 2-time AL Runs Scored Leader (1969 & 1973)
• 4-time AL Home Run Leader (1973, 1975, 1980 & 1982)
• AL RBI Leader (1973)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 16 (1968-1980, 1982, 1984 & 1985)
• 30 Home Run Seasons: 7 (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982)
• 40-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1969 & 1980)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 6 (1969, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1969)
• Won five World Series with the Oakland Athletics (1972, 1973 & 1974; he did not play in the 1972 World Series) and the New York Yankees (1977 & 1978)
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1993

The Stats

Standard Batting

Postseason Batting

Greatest Moments and Awards

FAQs

Career graph

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