Reggie Jackson

Mr. October

Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and California Angels. Jackson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 in his first year of eligibility.

Quick Facts

Position: Right fielder
Bats: Left
Born: 18 May 1946
Birthplace: Abington Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Debutleague: MLB
Debutdate: June 9
Debutyear: 1967
Debutteam: Kansas City Athletics

Lore & Background

Jackson was nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the Athletics and the Yankees. He helped Oakland win five consecutive American League West divisional titles, three straight American League pennants and three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974. Jackson helped New York win four American League East divisional pennants, three American League pennants and back-to-back World Series titles, in 1977 and 1978. He also helped the California Angels win two AL West divisional titles in 1982 and 1986. Jackson hit three consecutive home runs at Yankee Stadium in the clinching game six of the 1977 World Series.

Reader's Guide

Jackson hit 563 career home runs and was an American League (AL) All-Star for 14 seasons. He won two Silver Slugger Awards, the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 1973, two World Series MVP Awards and the Babe Ruth Award in 1977. Jackson additionally holds the record for most career strikeouts by a batter. The Yankees retired his uniform number in 1993, and the Athletics retired it in 2004. Jackson currently serves as a special advisor to the Houston Astros, and a sixth championship associated with Jackson came with Houston's win in the 2022 World Series.

Did You Know?

Jackson was the second overall pick in the 1966 MLB draft, selected by the Kansas City Athletics.
He hit a career-high 47 home runs in 1969.
Jackson was the first college player to hit a home run out of Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Reggie Jackson?

Known universally as 'Mr. October,' Jackson played for the Athletics from 1975 to 1980 after being traded from Kansas City. He is widely recognized as one of baseball's greatest power hitters and a Hall of Fame inductee since 1993.

What role did he play on the field?

During his time with Oakland, Jackson primarily operated as a Right Fielder or Designated Hitter to maximize his offensive production. His powerful swing made him an immediate threat against opposing pitchers throughout the league.

How did Reggie Jackson arrive in Oakland?

He was acquired via trade from the Kansas City Royals just before the 1975 season began. This signing demonstrated Oakland's commitment to sustaining high performance following their previous titles.

What major awards does he hold?

He is a Hall of Famer inducted in 1993 and previously earned World Series MVP honors with Kansas City in 1973. These accolades highlight his status as one of the premier players of his era before joining Oakland.