Reggie Jackson was one of my first favorite players. I can recall going to the Oakdale Mall with my family and friends in 1980 and getting a Reggie Jackson baseball card in a pack of cards. I remember the pride of getting a card of Reggie Jackson. I bought a replica New York Yankee hat at the mall as well. I painted #44 on the back of the helmet.
Reggie Jackson was meant to play in New York. He was made for the bright lights. He was suited for the city that never sleeps. Reggie Jackson was meant to be a Yankee. The excitement and fanfare that accompanied playing in New York fit Jackson perfectly.
Jackson was quotable. He was good for the New York media, which is always looking for a story. He once predicted that if he played in New York, they would name a candy bar after him. They did. The "Reggie" bar was unveiled in 1978. It had peanuts and caramel and it was covered in chocolate.
Jackson created controversy. When he joined the Yankees, he said he was the "straw that stirred the drink." He implied that he would be the new leader for the Yankees. However, Thurman Munson was the captain of the team. He was well respected in the Yankee locker room. Some of the players resented Jackson's attitude and wanted Munson to remain the leader of the team.
Jackson was brash and confident. When he was asked if it bothered him that fans booed him, he said "fans don't boo nobodies." He took the boos as a compliment. He felt the boos were a sign of recognition of his importance to the Yankees and to baseball.
Jackson was a polarizing figure. When he batted on the road, he was always booed. When he batted at home, he was booed at times and cheered at other times. The Yankee fans had a love/hate relationship with Jackson.
Jackson was social and engaging. He was a part of the New York night life. He was a part of the New York scene. He was often seen out on the town with a girl fiend or friends. He embraced New York city.
Jackson spent five years playing for the Yankees. I remember when he left as a free agent for California. The Angels were willing to make him an every day outfielder, whereas the Yankees wanted him to play part of the time in the outfield and serve part time as a designated hitter. Jackson wanted to continue to play the outfield, so he signed with California.
He actually played in more games with California than New York. However, Jackson was meant to be a Yankee. Many identify him as a Yankee. He entered the hall of fame as a Yankee.
On October 18th, 1977, in game 6 of the World Series, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches.
Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Tom Seaver called the game on television.
Jackson stepped up to the plate and smashed an offering by Hooton into the upper deck in right field. Keith Jackson said "Long fly ball to right field... It is.." Then Cosell interjected by saying "Goodbye! A big, big World Series for Reggie Jackson. Despite all the blather about his discontent with Billy Martin as he comes up with his third home run of the series. Quickly, the Yankees go ahead."
The "blather" that Cosell was referring to was the arguing that had happened between Jackson and manager Billy Martin. Both Jackson and Martin had strong personalities and they would often clash.
In his second at bat, Jackson stepped up to the plate and hit a pitch from Elias Sosa into the right field seats. Keith Jackson said "Hard shot, right field, It's gone." Exuberantly, Cosell said "Oh, what a World Series for Reggie Jackson. First pitch, right in his wheel house as Tom Seaver would say. Reggie Jackson, now well on his way to becoming the Most Valuable Player in the 1977 World Series if the Yankees go on to win." Keith Jackson followed up by saying "Reggie Jackson has seen two pitches tonight in the strike zone. Two. And he has has hit both of them in the seats." Jackson and Cosell did a good job of combining on the call. For the first two home runs, Seaver had been silent. Only Jackson and Cosell had spoken.
In Jackson's third at bat, the Yankees' fans were standing and clapping. They may have anticipated another home run. In any event, they knew it was a memorable evening in the Bronx.
Charlie Hough was on in relief. He got the sign from Dodger catcher Steve Yeager and was ready to pitch. He threw a slow curve ball that dipped close to knee level. Jackson promptly hit the ball to the deepest part of the ball park. The ball landed in the black section of centerfield and bounced up for a lucky fan who retrieved the ball.
On the call, Keith Jackson said "High.." And then, in unison, Seaver and Cosell exclaimed "Goodbye!" Cosell said "Forget about who the Most Valuable Player is in the World Series. How this man has responded to pressure. Oh, what a beam on his face. How can you blame him?" Then, hyperbolically, Cosell added "He's answered the whole world!" Cosell certainly appreciated Jackson's accomplishment.
After the third home run, Seaver said "Reggie Jackson's last at bat probably in the 1977 World Series. And that was a monster in itself. 475 feet, probably." The home run was to the deepest part of Yankee stadium and it was probably between 450 and 475 feet.
As Jackson was being congratulated in the Yankee dugout, Cosell continued by saying "What are they thinking now? After all the furer. After all the hassling. It came down to this. A whole long season." Cosell tried to put the moment into perspective. He wanted fans to appreciate the drama that had taken place during the season.
As the fans chanted "Reggie," the proud slugger came out for a curtain call and lifted up both hands and faced the appreciative crowd. He mouthed the words "thank you." It was a memorable moment for the fans of the Yankees. It was a memorable moment for the Yankees' players and the organization.
In an interview with Chris Russo, of Sirius Radio in 2009, Jackson remembered the evening. Jackson said "I had a great batting practice that night. In batting practice that night, I hit the last five minutes and I probably took 50 swings and had to hit about 35 baseballs in the stands." Jackson also emphasized that he had been swinging the bat well in Los Angeles for the previous three games. So, Jackson had a lot of confidence entering game 6.
Jackson said that he had been walked in his first at bat in game 6. Hooton pitched around him because no men were on base. However, in the second at bat, Hooton had to pitch to Jackson because there were two men on base. So, he did not want to walk Jackson again. He had to throw strikes. This meant that Jackson would get a good pitch to hit.
Regarding his second at bat against Hooton, Jackson said "The scouting report on me was to pitch me in, so during post season they're going to stick to the scouting report. So, I'd look for the ball in and prayed that he'd throw a strike. He threw me a strike. He threw me a strike and I hit it out." So, Jackson was ready and he anticipated what pitch Hooton would throw. He responded with a good swing and a home run.
Jackson also explained his second at bat to Russo. Sosa had entered the game in relief. Jackson said "Next time up, I got lucky. A new pitcher came in. He wanted to follow the scouting report. I hadn't hit his fastball yet. He hadn't made an attempt to get the ball in so he took his shot. He threw me a strike. I hit it out." So, Jackson thought the first two pitchers would follow the scouting report. Therefore, Jackson correctly anticipated what pitch he would receive.
For the third home run, Jackson, again, faced a new pitcher. Jackson said "And the next guy came in. Charlie Hough. And I'd had a tremendous record against Wilbur Wood and several knuckle ball pitchers." Jackson added that maybe the Dodgers' organization did not know that he did well against knuckle ball pitchers. After, Hough's name was announced as the new pitcher, Jackson knew that he had a chance to hit another home run.
Jackson's three home runs on three consecutive pitches in game 6 of the 1977 World Series was one of the signature moments of his career. The Yankees clinched the World Series with the game 6 win, and Jackson was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series. It was one of the most memorable nights in the history of the New York Yankees and of Major League Baseball.
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