Reggie Jackson ranks among the most dynamic players to ever walk onto a baseball diamond. Called “Mr. October” because of his clutch hits in the postseason for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees, Reggie Jackson proved over 21 seasons that he deserved his Hall of Fame selection in 1993.

Reggie Jackson played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees and California Angels between 1967 and 1987. His most famous moment came right in the middle, a performance in the 1977 World Series that was one for the ages.

Reggie Jackson Early Years

Reggie Jackson was born May 18, 1946, in Wyncote, Penn., a suburb of Philadelphia. His father was a World War II veteran and small business owner, running a dry cleaning and tailoring business. It was his father who insisted he get a college degree. Jackson ended up attending Arizona State University on a football scholarship.

However, he also wanted to play baseball. From the outset, he had tremendous power at the plate, hitting three home runs in five at-bats during his tryout, according to a biography of Jackson by Dayn Perry.

He spent the summer between his freshman and sophomore years working on his baseball skills. In his sophomore year, he switched completely to baseball and ended up setting the school’s single-season home run record in 1966 and getting named as an All-American. The Athletics, then based in Kansas City, drafted him in June 1966.

Reggie Jackson MLB Career

Jackson spent his years with the Athletics, Yankees, and Angels. All three teams were winners while he played with them.

Athletics

Jackson got called up to the big leagues in June, getting his first hit during a series in Kansas City against Cleveland. The A’s moved to Oakland in 1968, and both the team’s fortunes and Jackson’s career started taking off.

In 1969, Jackson hit 49 home runs and for a time was on a pace to beat the home run record set by Roger Maris. The A’s won the World Series three straight years, 1972-1974, and Jackson was World Series MVP in 1973.

He also was controversial and known for being flamboyant on the field. When a teammate was asked if Jackson was a “hot dog” – a showoff – on the field, he replied, “There isn’t enough mustard in the world to cover that hot dog.”

Yankees

In New York, Jackson was part of the Yankees team that won the World Series in 1977 and 1978. Jackson was named MVP of the World Series in 1977. His time in New York is marked by a tumultuous relationship with manager Billy Martin, who eventually quit his job in 1978, saying Jackson and owner George Steinbrenner were “made for each other.”

Angels

Although the Angels did not make the World Series with Jackson, they did win the West Division in 1982 and 1986, the first and last year Jackson played with the team. He signed a contract in 1987 with the Athletics, retiring at the end of the season.

He retired with 563 career home runs, reached the playoffs 11 times, won six league pennants, five World Series and was an All-Star 14 times.

Reggie Jackson Famous Moments

Jackson had many great moments, but these stand out as three of the most memorable.

Three Home Runs

In an amazing World Series performance in 1977,  Jackson hit three home runs in Game Six of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the game that won the series for the Yankees. Every home run was hit on the first pitch of his at-bat. On the third one, commentator Howard Cosell said. “What a colossal blow!” Fearful of fans who had thrown firecrackers onto the field, Jackson later donned a batting helmet to wear at his position in right field and sprinted to the dugout after the last out, knocking a few fans out of the way.

The Reggie! Bar

At the home opener in 1978, the Yankees allowed the Standard Brands company to debut a new candy bar called “Reggie! Bar.” It was circular, with peanuts covered with caramel and chocolate. Jackson hit a home run in the game, and fans celebrated by throwing the candy bars on the field. Jackson misunderstood, thinking fans didn’t like the candy bar. He also made a memorable commercial.

Billy Martin Fight

Whenever a manager or coach fights with a player during a game, someone is likely to mention the epic fight between Jackson and manager Billy Martin in 1977. Believing Jackson had loafed on a hit by Jim Rice of the Boston Red Sox, Martin pulled Jackson from the game – he didn’t even wait until the inning ended – and he and Jackson got into a screaming match in the dugout, on national television. Yogi Berra and others had to restrain Martin and keep him from hitting Jackson.

There were many other moments, such as Jackson hitting the home run that gave the Yankees the lead in the 1978 playoff game against the Red Sox. Jackson was a dynamic, controversial and amazing player that you couldn’t stop watching. His three home runs in one World Series game would alone make him a legend. For two decades, he proved to be a winner no matter where he played.