Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1967 to 1987, primarily for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and California Angels.[1][2] Renowned for his power hitting and clutch postseason play that earned him the nickname "Mr. October," Jackson amassed 563 home runs over his career, led the American League in home runs four times, and contributed to five World Series championships—three with the Athletics and two with the Yankees.[3][2][4] A 14-time All-Star, he won the 1973 American League Most Valuable Player Award, secured World Series MVP honors in 1973 and 1977, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 on the first ballot with 93.6 percent of the vote.[3][2][4]Early life and education
Childhood and family background
Reginald Martinez Jackson was born on May 18, 1946, in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, a working-class suburb north of Philadelphia.[5][6] His father, Martinez Jackson, a World War II veteran and owner of a dry-cleaning and tailoring business, raised him primarily after his mother, Clara, left the household with three of the children when Reggie was six years old.[5] Martinez, who had played semi-professional baseball as a second baseman in the Negro leagues and was of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, operated the family business from a modest two-story home on Greenwood Avenue in Wyncote, where Reggie grew up with his older brother James and older half-brother Joe.[5][6][7] The elder Jackson emphasized discipline, higher education, and athletic pursuits for his sons, providing relative stability despite the family's working-class circumstances and his own intermittent legal troubles, including an arrest for moonshining during Reggie's high school years.[5] He supported his children's college educations before remarrying.[5][8] Reggie later reconnected as an adult with his three sisters—Tina, Beverly, and Delores—who had been raised by their mother.[5] The family home, which also housed the tailoring operation, was demolished in 2025 after years of vacancy.[9]High school athletics and early development
Jackson attended Cheltenham High School in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport standout from an early age.[5] By his early teens, he was regarded as the premier baseball player in the local area, demonstrating exceptional athleticism across sports including football, basketball, track, and baseball.[10] His high school competitions drew consistent attention from professional baseball scouts, who recognized his raw power and speed potential.[5] Football emerged as Jackson's most dominant high school pursuit, where his prowess as a running back garnered recruitment offers from major college programs such as Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Brigham Young University.[11] Despite this, baseball remained a core focus, with Jackson honing his hitting and outfield skills amid a physically demanding multi-sport regimen that built his endurance and competitive edge.[5] His father's influence—Martinez Jackson, a tailor and former semi-professional baseball player—emphasized discipline and education, steering him away from immediate professional contracts in favor of collegiate development to refine technique and maturity.[5] This foundational period at Cheltenham laid the groundwork for Jackson's power-hitting style, as he cultivated a swing suited for long balls while balancing the rigors of multiple disciplines, which enhanced his overall physical conditioning and mental resilience for future professional demands.[12] No detailed public records exist of his precise high school baseball statistics, but contemporaries noted his ability to dominate local fields with prodigious home runs and base-stealing agility.[5]Amateur and minor league career
Collegiate career at Arizona State
Jackson arrived at Arizona State University in 1964 on a football scholarship under coach Frank Kush, but after his freshman year, he transitioned to baseball, walking on to coach Bobby Winkles' team as an outfielder following an impressive tryout where he hit four home runs off a varsity pitcher while wearing football gear.[13][14] In his lone season with the Sun Devils in 1966, Jackson batted .326, hit 15 home runs—a school record using wooden bats—and contributed to a team record of 41-11, earning First-Team All-American honors and Sporting News National Player of the Year recognition.[15][14] His performance led to his selection as the second overall pick in the 1966 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Athletics, signing for an $80,000 bonus and forgoing further college eligibility.[2][16]Entry into professional baseball
Following his standout collegiate performance at Arizona State University, Jackson was selected by the Kansas City Athletics with the second overall pick in the 1966 Major League Baseball amateur draft on June 7.[2][1] He signed a professional contract with the Athletics, which included a $100,000 signing bonus.[17] Jackson made his professional debut that summer as a center fielder with the Class A- Lewiston Broncs of the Northwest League, appearing in 12 games where he batted .292 with 14 hits, including two home runs and three doubles, while posting a .563 slugging percentage.[18] He was quickly reassigned to the Class A Modesto Reds of the California League, Athletics affiliates, for the remainder of the 1966 season.[18] In 56 games with Modesto, Jackson slashed .299/.360/.611, including 66 hits, 21 home runs, and 60 RBI, showcasing elite power for a rookie with a .970 OPS that highlighted his potential as a slugging outfielder.[18] These performances in short-season and full-season Class A ball demonstrated Jackson's ability to adapt rapidly to professional pitching, with 23 total home runs across 68 combined games in his debut year, far exceeding typical output for new draftees and signaling his readiness for higher levels.[18] The Athletics' aggressive development approach under owner Charles Finley accelerated his path, bypassing extended lower-minors seasoning in favor of direct challenges that rewarded his raw athleticism and plate discipline.[17]Major League career with the Athletics
Kansas City/Oakland transition and early years (1967–1970)
Jackson was selected by the Kansas City Athletics as the second overall pick in the 1966 MLB Draft and made his major league debut on June 9, 1967, during a doubleheader sweep against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium.[19] In 35 games that season, he recorded 118 at-bats, batting .178 with one home run—his first, hit on September 17 against the California Angels—and six RBIs, while the Athletics finished 62–99, last in the American League.[2] [20] Following the 1967 season, Athletics owner Charles Finley, frustrated with poor attendance and stadium conditions in Kansas City, sought relocation; American League owners approved the move to Oakland, California, on October 18, 1967, effective for the 1968 season.[21] The franchise played its final home game in Kansas City on October 1, 1967, marking the end of 13 seasons there after prior relocation from Philadelphia.[22] In 1968, Jackson became a regular outfielder for the newly renamed Oakland Athletics, appearing in 154 games with 553 at-bats, 29 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .250 batting average, contributing to an 82–80 finish, sixth in the AL West.[2] His power emerged prominently in 1969, leading the majors with 47 home runs, 118 RBIs, and 123 runs scored in 159 games, batting .275 with a .608 slugging percentage, though the Athletics ended 88–74, third in the division.[2] Jackson sustained his production in 1970, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 84 RBIs over 161 games with a .242 average, as Oakland improved to 89–73 but missed the playoffs again.[2] These years under managers like Bob Kennedy established Jackson as a cornerstone slugger amid Finley's colorful ownership, including uniform changes to Kelly green and team mascot antics, setting the stage for later contention.[23]Dynasty era and championships (1971–1975)
In 1971, Reggie Jackson contributed significantly to the Oakland Athletics' first American League West division title, batting .281 with 32 home runs and 80 runs batted in over 161 games, earning his second All-Star selection.[2] Despite his performance, including two home runs in the AL Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Athletics were swept 3-0.[24] The 1972 season saw Jackson hit .265 with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs in 115 games before a late-season injury limited his play.[2] He batted .296 with three home runs in the ALCS victory over the Detroit Tigers, but missed the World Series due to injury as Oakland defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 for their first championship in the era.[25] Jackson's breakout 1973 campaign featured a .293 batting average, league-leading 32 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 99 runs scored, earning him the American League Most Valuable Player Award and another All-Star nod.[2] In the postseason, he hit .257 with three home runs in the ALCS win over the Orioles, then batted .310 with one home run and six RBIs in the World Series against the New York Mets, securing Oakland's second consecutive title and earning World Series MVP honors.[26] The Athletics repeated as champions in 1974, with Jackson posting a .289 average, 29 home runs, and 93 RBIs while starting in right field.[2] He contributed modestly in the ALCS (.222 average) and World Series (.238 average with one home run) against the Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively, as Oakland completed the three-peat despite growing internal tensions under owner Charlie Finley. In 1975, Jackson led the AL with 36 home runs and 104 RBIs despite a .253 average, but the Athletics lost the ALCS 3-0 to the Boston Red Sox, ending their postseason streak.[2] Finley's cost-cutting measures, including contract disputes, foreshadowed the dismantling of the dynasty, with Jackson traded after the season amid disputes over salary and playing time.[13]Mid-career transitions
Baltimore Orioles season (1976)
On April 2, 1976, one week before the start of the regular season, the Oakland Athletics traded Jackson, along with pitcher Ken Holtzman and minor leaguer Bill VanBommell, to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for outfielder Don Baylor, pitcher Mike Torrez, and pitcher Paul Mitchell.[27] The deal stemmed from Jackson's ongoing contract dispute with Athletics owner Charlie Finley; after earning $140,000 in 1975, Jackson was among nine Oakland players who refused to sign for 1976, demanding a three-year, $600,000 contract amid Finley's cost-cutting measures.[28] Jackson reported to spring training four weeks late following a holdout but integrated into the Orioles' lineup as their right fielder.[29] In 134 games during the 1976 season, Jackson batted .277 with 138 hits, including 27 doubles, two triples, and 27 home runs, while driving in 91 runs, scoring 84 times, and stealing a career-high 28 bases.[30] His performance featured notable symmetry, with identical totals in doubles, home runs, and stolen bases.[31] Slumping to a .242 average at the All-Star break, Jackson rebounded strongly afterward, hitting over .300 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs in the second half.[32] Despite his contributions, including leading the team in home runs, the Orioles finished second in the American League East with an 88-74 record, missing the playoffs.[30][33] Jackson's tenure in Baltimore drew mixed fan reactions, as evidenced by a lukewarm reception during an August 30 game against the Kansas City Royals, though he responded with a single in his first at-bat.[34] The season marked his only year with the Orioles, as he entered free agency afterward and signed with the New York Yankees.[35]Move to the New York Yankees (1977)
Following the establishment of free agency in Major League Baseball through the 1976 collective bargaining agreement, Reggie Jackson entered the market after completing a single season with the Baltimore Orioles, where he had been traded from the Oakland Athletics to avoid losing him without compensation.[36] On November 29, 1976, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner signed Jackson to a groundbreaking five-year contract valued at $3.5 million, making him the highest-paid player in baseball history at the time and marking the Yankees' aggressive pursuit of a power-hitting outfielder to bolster their lineup after a World Series sweep by the Cincinnati Reds.[36][37] Steinbrenner outmaneuvered competing offers from teams like the Montreal Expos, emphasizing the Yankees' championship aspirations and New York's media spotlight as key attractions for Jackson, who sought both financial security and a prominent stage.[38][39] The signing, however, sparked immediate internal friction within the Yankees organization. Manager Billy Martin, who prioritized team discipline and cohesion, opposed the acquisition, viewing Jackson's flamboyant personality and self-promotional style as potential disruptors to the clubhouse dynamic; Martin had advocated for retaining existing players rather than adding a high-profile free agent perceived as prioritizing individual stardom.[40] Despite Martin's reservations, Steinbrenner's vision prevailed, positioning Jackson as the designated right fielder and cleanup hitter for the 1977 season, with expectations that his proven home run power—evident from prior Athletics championships—would elevate the Yankees' offense amid their recent postseason disappointments.[41] This move exemplified the era's shift toward lucrative player contracts and owner-driven roster decisions, setting the stage for both on-field success and off-field drama dubbed "The Bronx Zoo."[42]Yankees tenure
Team dynamics and "The Bronx Zoo" (1977–1978)
Upon signing a five-year, $3.5 million contract with the New York Yankees on November 29, 1976, Reggie Jackson entered a clubhouse rife with resentment from manager Billy Martin and captain Thurman Munson, who viewed his high-profile arrival and flamboyant style as disruptive to team cohesion.[36] Martin had opposed the signing, preferring to retain outfielders like Mickey Rivers and Lou Piniella, while Munson and other veterans chafed at Jackson's perceived self-importance and the media attention he garnered.[43] These tensions exemplified the volatile "Bronx Zoo" atmosphere, characterized by clashing egos under owner George Steinbrenner's intense oversight, yet the team advanced to the World Series despite the discord.[44] The feud between Jackson and Martin peaked on June 18, 1977, during a nationally televised game at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. In the fourth inning, Jackson's lackadaisical pursuit of Jim Rice's hit allowed it to become a double, loading the bases and contributing to Boston's lead; Martin, incensed, removed Jackson mid-game in the sixth inning for Paul Blair, prompting a heated dugout confrontation nearly escalating to blows, with coaches Elston Howard, Dick Howser, and Yogi Berra intervening.[45] The Yankees lost 10-4, part of a sweep that dropped them 2.5 games behind Boston, but Jackson returned to the lineup the next day, and the team rallied to claim the American League pennant and defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.[43][44] Tensions persisted into 1978, with Martin suspending Jackson for five games after a July 17 dugout altercation stemming from Jackson bunting despite Martin's retracted sign—with Munson on first, Martin initially signaled a bunt but withdrew it after Munson stole second, yet Jackson proceeded, popping out and igniting the dispute.[46] The conflict culminated on July 23, when Martin publicly remarked that Jackson and Steinbrenner "deserve each other—one's a born liar, the other's convicted," prompting his resignation the following day and replacement by Bob Lemon.[47] Under Lemon, the Yankees overcame a 14-game deficit to Boston, winning the division on the final day and securing their second consecutive World Series title against the Dodgers.[48] The era's chaos was later chronicled in Sparky Lyle's 1979 book The Bronx Zoo, co-authored with Peter Golenbock, which detailed the interpersonal strife amid championship success.[46]Postseason dominance and "Mr. October" (1977–1978)
In the 1977 American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals, Jackson struggled offensively, managing only a .125 batting average with 2 hits in 16 at-bats.[49] His performance improved dramatically in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he batted .450, hit five home runs—including three consecutive homers on three first-pitch swings in Game 6 on October 18—and drove in nine runs across six games.[50] [51] These feats marked Jackson as the first player to hit five home runs in a single World Series, earned him the World Series MVP award, and propelled the Yankees to a 4-2 series victory.[52] The Game 6 home runs—off Burt Hooton in the fourth inning, Elias Sosa in the fifth, and Charlie Hough in the seventh—clinched the championship at Yankee Stadium, solidifying Jackson's reputation for performing under pressure despite earlier postseason inconsistencies.[51] This outburst inspired the nickname "Mr. October," initially used somewhat sarcastically amid his ALCS slump but retrospectively embraced as a testament to his October heroics.[49] Jackson's dominance continued into the 1978 postseason. In the ALCS rematch against the Royals, he contributed key hits, including a solo home run in Game 3.[53] Against the Dodgers in the World Series, he batted .391 with nine hits, two home runs, eight RBIs, and two runs scored over six games, helping the Yankees secure a repeat title with a 4-2 series win despite a notable ninth-inning strikeout by rookie Bob Welch in Game 2.[54] [55] These back-to-back World Series triumphs, combining for seven home runs and a .429 batting average in the 1977–1978 Fall Classics, underscored Jackson's ability to elevate his game in high-stakes environments, distinguishing him from teammates amid the Yankees' internal tensions.[56]Declining seasons and departure (1979–1981)
In 1979, Jackson posted a .297 batting average with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs over 131 games for the Yankees, earning his eighth All-Star selection.[2] His on-base percentage stood at .382 and slugging at .544, reflecting consistent power production despite 107 strikeouts.[2] The Yankees finished second in the American League East, three games behind the Baltimore Orioles.[57] Jackson's 1980 season marked a resurgence, as he batted .300 with a league-leading 41 home runs and 111 RBIs in 143 games, alongside a .398 on-base percentage and .597 slugging percentage.[2] He received All-Star honors, a Silver Slugger award, and finished second in American League MVP voting.[2] However, the Yankees were eliminated in the ALCS by the Kansas City Royals after winning 103 games in the regular season. Jackson struck out 122 times, highlighting ongoing swing-and-miss tendencies.[2] The 1981 season, shortened by a players' strike, saw Jackson's performance dip to a .237 average, 15 home runs, and 54 RBIs in 94 games, with an elevated 82 strikeouts relative to playing time.[2] Despite the regular-season struggles, he was selected for the All-Star Game and contributed in the postseason, including a two-run homer in the ALDS against the Milwaukee Brewers and his tenth and final World Series home run in the loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[58] [59] Tensions escalated with owner George Steinbrenner, who ordered Jackson to undergo a physical examination in August, including an eye exam, amid concerns over his vision and form.[58] As Jackson's five-year contract expired, the Yankees declined to re-sign him, leading to his departure on January 22, 1982, when he agreed to a five-year, $4.8 million deal with the California Angels.[60] [61] The decision stemmed from ongoing friction with Steinbrenner and the organization's shift in priorities, ending Jackson's tumultuous tenure marked by both brilliance and conflict.[61]Later professional career
California Angels years (1982–1986)
Following the expiration of his contract with the New York Yankees, Reggie Jackson signed a five-year contract with the California Angels on January 22, 1982, reportedly worth $4 million base with incentives potentially increasing it to $5 million.[62] Primarily serving as the designated hitter, Jackson contributed power hitting to the Angels' lineup during his tenure, helping the team secure American League West division titles in 1982 and 1986.[2] In 1982, Jackson enjoyed a resurgent season at age 36, batting .275 with 39 home runs and 101 RBIs in 153 games, earning All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger award, and finishing sixth in American League Most Valuable Player voting.[2] The Angels won the AL West with a 93-69 record but fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 in the AL Championship Series, where Jackson struggled with a .111 batting average and seven strikeouts in five games, though he hit one home run.[2] His performance included a notable home run in his return to Yankee Stadium on April 27 against former teammate Ron Guidry.[63] Subsequent seasons showed inconsistency amid high strikeout totals and age-related decline. In 1983, Jackson hit .194 with 14 home runs in 116 games, hampered by injuries and 140 strikeouts.[2] He rebounded somewhat in 1984 (.223, 25 HR, 81 RBI) and 1985 (.252, 27 HR, 85 RBI), maintaining value through on-base skills with 78 walks in the latter year.[2] By 1986, at age 40, Jackson batted .241 with 18 home runs in 132 games, drawing 92 walks for a .379 on-base percentage, and passed Mickey Mantle's career home run total with his 537th on May 14.[2][64] A highlight came on September 19 when he hit three home runs and drove in seven during an 18-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals.[65] The 1986 Angels clinched the AL West at 92-70 but lost the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox 4-3, a series marked by dramatic collapses including Game 5. Jackson went 5-for-26 (.192) with two doubles and two RBIs but no home runs and seven strikeouts in six games, reflecting his postseason challenges in later years.[2] Over five seasons with the Angels, Jackson compiled a .239 batting average, 123 home runs, and 374 RBIs in 687 games, underscoring his enduring power despite defensive limitations and frequent strikeouts.[66] | Year | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | |------|---|----|----|---|----|----|----|----|-----|----|----|----|-----|-----|-----|-----| | 1982 | 153 | 621 | 530 | 92 | 146 | 17 | 1 | 39 | 101 | 85 | 156 | .275 | .375 | .532 | .907 | | 1983 | 116 | 458 | 397 | 43 | 77 | 14 | 1 | 14 | 49 | 52 | 140 | .194 | .290 | .340 | .630 | | 1984 | 143 | 584 | 525 | 67 | 117 | 17 | 2 | 25 | 81 | 55 | 141 | .223 | .300 | .406 | .706 | | 1985 | 143 | 541 | 460 | 64 | 116 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 85 | 78 | 138 | .252 | .360 | .487 | .847 | | 1986 | 132 | 517 | 419 | 65 | 101 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 58 | 92 | 115 | .241 | .379 | .408 | .787 | Source: Baseball-Reference.com[2]Return to Oakland (1987) and retirement
Following his release from the California Angels on November 24, 1986, Jackson signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on December 24, 1986, returning to the team where he had begun his major league career in 1967.[67] At age 41, he primarily served as the designated hitter, appearing in 115 games during the 1987 season.[68] Jackson batted .220 with 15 home runs and 43 runs batted in, accumulating 74 hits in 336 at-bats, while drawing 33 walks and striking out 97 times.[68] His final career home run, the 563rd of his major league tenure, came on August 17, 1987, against the Kansas City Royals.[69] The Athletics finished the 1987 season with an 81-81 record, placing third in the American League West, and did not qualify for the playoffs.[68] Jackson announced his intention to retire at the end of the year, concluding a 21-season major league career that included 2,584 hits, 1,702 runs batted in, and five World Series championships.[5] In his final at-bat on October 4, 1987, at Comiskey Park against the Chicago White Sox, Jackson collected a broken-bat single to center field off Dan Patzke, providing a fitting, albeit modest, capstone to his playing days.[13] Upon retirement, his 563 home runs ranked sixth in major league history.[13]Playing career legacy
Statistical achievements and records
Jackson amassed 563 home runs over his 21-season MLB career, a total that ranked ninth all-time upon his retirement following the 1987 season.[4] He became the 13th player to reach the 500-home-run milestone on September 17, 1984, while with the California Angels.[20] Additionally, he was the first player to hit at least 100 career home runs for three different franchises: the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics (269), New York Yankees (144), and California Angels (150).[4] His career totals also included 1,702 RBIs, 2,584 hits, and 483 doubles in 2,820 games, with a .262 batting average.[1] In the 1973 season with the Oakland Athletics, Jackson led the American League in home runs (32), RBIs (117), runs scored (99), and slugging percentage (.531), performances that earned him the AL Most Valuable Player Award.[4] He recorded a major league single-game high of 10 RBIs on June 14, 1969, against the Boston Red Sox, achieving this with two home runs, a double, and two singles.[70] Jackson's postseason statistics highlighted his power hitting, with a .527 slugging percentage across 11 appearances, including 18 home runs.[71] In World Series play over 27 games, he batted .357 with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs.[72] He set the single World Series record for home runs with five in 1977, including three in Game 6—a first in series history—and accumulated a record 25 total bases that year.[25][52]| Category | Achievement | Year(s) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Star Selections | 14 | 1969, 1971–1975, 1977–1984 | [25] |
| Silver Slugger Awards | 2 | 1980, 1982 | [25] |
| World Series MVPs | 2 | 1973 (Athletics), 1977 (Yankees) | [25] |