Reggie Jackson

Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson (born May 18, 1946) was a professional American baseball player from 1967 to 1987. His father Martinez Jackson was a Puerto Rican who played for the Negro Leagues. Reggie was inducted into the United States Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 in recognition of his talents. He was born in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, but later made his home in Oakland, California.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jackson's nickname was "Mr. October" due to his outstanding overall performances during the five World Series in which he appeared. In 27 World Series games, he amassed 10 home runs, including four in a row during the 1977 Series (three of them on consecutive pitches), 24 RBI and a .357 batting average.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mr. October's crowning achievement came with his three-home-run performance in the sixth game of the 1977 Series -- off three different Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers. They included two laser shots into the lower right field seats at Yankee Stadium and a towering drive into the black-painted seats in center, 450 to 475 feet away, one that stunned the ABC Television sportscasters covering it:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Keith Jackson: High... Tom Seaver (interrupting): Good-BYE, that's WAY out...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the ball bounced into the black-painted section of the bleachers...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Howard Cosell: Oh, what a blow! What a way to top it off! Forget about who the Most Valuable Player is in the World Series. How this man has responded to pressure! Oh, what a beam on his face. How can you blame him? He's answered the whole WORLD!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jackson's other accomplishments include winning the 1973 regular-season MVP award, amassing a total of 563 career homeruns, maintaining a .490 career slugging percentage, and the dubious distinction of being the all-time leader in striking out with 2597. Jackson played with the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and, in the twilight of his career, the California Angels.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the spare time of his active career, Jackson worked as a field reporter and color commentator for ABC Sports. During the 1980s (1983, 1985, and 1987 respectively), Jackson was given the task of presiding over the World Series Trophy presentations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The now-discontinued "Reggie Bar" candy bar was named after the ballplayer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His Yankees jersey number, 44, was retired in 1993. His Athletics jersey number, 9, was retired in 2004. He is the only non-pitcher to win World Series most valuable player honors twice (in 1973 with the Oakland Athletics and in 1977 with the New York Yankees).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May 18: May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). There are 227 days remaining....

1946: 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday. (see link for calendar)...

American: :This page disambiguates the many uses of American. For an article about those various uses, please see Use of the word American....

Reggie Jackson related Images and Photos (experimental)

Reggie Jackson	Reggie Jackson Legends Composite - ©Photofile	Reggie Jackson- 1977 World Series 6th (last) Game 3rd Home Run - ©Photofile	Reggie Jackson- 1977 World Series 6th (last) Game 3rd Home Run - ©Photofile
Playing Jacks on the Doorstep	Jackson Hole	Reggie Bush	Reggie Bush
Reggie Brown	Reggie Wayne	Reggie Wayne	Jackson Square