Reggie Jackson
| Birthdate | 5/18/1946 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1967 |
| Year of Induction | 1993 |
| Teams | Angels, Athletics, Orioles, Yankees |
| Positions | Designated Hitter, Right Field |
“Mr. October” Reggie Jackson appeared in the post season 10X in a 12 year span, hitting 18 homers and 48 RBI in 281 career post season at bats.
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Mr. October called Sal Bando the undisputed leader of the dynastic A's
Mr. October called Sal Bando the undisputed leader of the dynastic A's
“Sal Bando was the godfather. Capo di capo. Boss of all bosses on the Oakland A’s. We all had our roles, we all contributed, but Sal was the leader and everyone knew it.”
— Reggie Jackson in his 1984 autobiography
From Mr. October, the straw stirred the drink for the Yankees in the Big Apple that’s high praise. Reggie first got to see Bando’s leadership in college at Arizona State University. In 1965 ASU won it all with Bando as the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
The three-time World Series champs of the 1970s, Oakland’s Swingin’ A’s, were full of strong personalities and accomplished players. Led by eccentric owner, Charlie Finley, the team boasted three men who claimed the MVP Award during their careers in Jackson, Vida Blue, and Rollie Fingers.
The talented roster featured Cy Young Award winner and Cooperstown man Catfish Hunter, two-time 20-game winner Ken Holtzman, 6-time All Star Bert Campaneris, and World Series MVP Gene Tenace.
On the star-studded squad, it was Bando who was team captain from 1969-1976.
Though his teammates overshadowed him at times, Bando was solid. During his years as captain he averaged 23 homes and 90 RBI and walks per season while posting a 131 OPS+.
Those who take a more analytic approach using advanced metrics believe Bando has a strong case for the Hall of Fame.
Shown here is a check made out to Bando from the Brewers in his first year in Milwaukee. Click here to see Bando’s page on this site.
Reggie Jackson received consideration for the MVP in 13 seasons
Reggie Jackson received consideration for the MVP in 13 seasons
A first-ballot Cooperstown selection, Reggie Jackson was one of the most prolific home run hitters of his day. Selected by the Kansas City Athletics with the second overall pick in the 1966 draft, Jackson was in the big leagues the following year.
When the A’s moved to Oakland for the ’68 season, Reggie’s fortunes changed. He hit at least 25 homers in each of his eight seasons in the Bay including a career-high 47 in 1969.
Jackson received support in MVP balloting 13 times in the 15-year period from ’68-’82. He came away with the award in 1973 as the unanimous selection. That season he led the league in homers, runs batted in, slugging percentage and OPS.
Shown here is Jackson’s contract with Topps Chewing Gum to appear on baseball cards for 1974, ’75, and ’76. Signed by Jackson at the bottom, this deal calls for the slugger to receive a $75 bonus payment.
Topps was happy to have Reggie as a key to their set. Already a superstar by the time the contract was signed, Reggie hit 25 or more homers in fifteen different seasons, leading the league four times in a ten-year span from 1973-1982. His career totals include 536 homers, 1,702 RBI, and an MLB-record 2,597 strikeouts.
Reggie became "Mr. October" in Game 6 of the '77 World Series
Reggie became "Mr. October" in Game 6 of the '77 World Series
Baseball fans who remember the 1977 World Series know how Reggie Jackson got his nickname. Already a World Series MVP with Oakland in the ’73 tilt, Reggie took center stage again four years later in the Big Apple.
It came in the deciding Game 6. After drawing a second-inning walk, Jackson came up again in the fourth against Dodger starter Burt Hooton. On the first pitch, Jackson hit a line drive over the right field fence for a two-run homer. The shot put the Yankees ahead 3-2.
Reggie came up again the next inning against reliever Elias Sosa. With Willie Randolph at first with two out, Jackson sent Sosa’s first offering out of the yard.
When Reggie led off the eighth inning, the crowd came to its feet. On Charlie Hough’s first pitch Jackson drove the ball deep over the centerfield wall for his third home run in as many pitches.
“Reg-gie! Reg-gie!,” the crowd chanted. Jackson emerged from the dugout to answer his curtain call. The Yankees were champions of the world.
In the process Mr. October became the first position player in history to earn two World Series MVP nods. In the final three games he hit five homers to drive in eight runs. He finished with a record 25 total bases.
Shown here is a ticket that allowed one lucky fan to attend Reggie’s legendary performance. In addition to signing his name, Jackson inscribes the ticket, “Mr. October 3WS HRS”.
Jackson is a five-time World Series champ and two-time Series MVP
Jackson is a five-time World Series champ and two-time Series MVP
Reggie Jackson helped his teams reach 11 American League Championship Series and 5 Fall Classics. On baseball’s brightest stage, Reggie was at his best.
He hit .357 with a .457 on-base percentage, and a .755 slugging mark in World Series play. His performance earned him one of baseball’s most iconic nicknames, “Mr. October”.
Three of Reggie’s rings came with the A’s; two more came with the Yankees. The two-time World Series MVP had his finest hour in the 1977 tilt vs. the Dodgers.
In the decisive Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, Jackson slugged three home runs off of three different pitchers to clinch New York’s first title since 1962.
In the collection is this correspondence between Reggie and fellow Hall of Famer Larry Doby. The man who broke the American League’s color barrier writes to Jackson asking for an endorsement in this letter dated January 11, 1993.
Doby asks Mr. October to peruse The Rules of Baseball by David Nemec and add comments that can be used on the back cover of the book or in marketing materials.
Reggie was inducted into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2007
Reggie was inducted into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2007
Among the many accolades Reggie Jackson earned is induction into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2007. He was one of four who earned the distinction that year. The others included Joe Drake, Walt Dropo, and Norm Zauchin.
The Barons Hall describes Reggie on its website,”Jackson led the entire Southern League in runs (84) and triples (17) in 1967, and also paced the squad with 26 doubles, 17 stolen bases, and one hit-for-the-cycle. The future “Mr. October” went on to hold a 21-year career in the Major Leagues. He clubbed 563 home runs, claimed American League MVP in 1973 and earned selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.”
Shown here is a correspondence on ornate Birmingham letterhead. Dated July 6, 1950, it is signed by Eddie Glennon, Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame class of 2010. The letter is to George Trautman, the president of the National Association.
Glennon writes of the recall of Dick Littlefield for his big league debut. Littlefield is best remembered as the pitcher the Giants traded to the Dodgers for Jackie Robinson on December 13, 1956. Rather than report to his rival team, Robinson retired from the game.
