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.