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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.

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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.

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“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 player page.