Reginald Martinez Jackson, also known as Mr. October, is a renowned American former professional baseball right fielder who spent 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and California Angels.
Born on May 18, 1946, Jackson led his teams to first place eleven times throughout his 21-year career, with only two losing seasons. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993, a testament to his remarkable achievements on the field.
Jackson earned the nickname "Mr. October" due to his exceptional clutch hitting in the postseason with the Athletics and Yankees. During his time with Oakland, he helped the team win five consecutive American League West divisional titles, three straight American League pennants, and three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974.
He also played a crucial role in the Yankees' success, contributing to four American League East divisional pennants, three American League pennants, and back-to-back World Series titles in 1977 and 1978. Furthermore, he helped the California Angels win two AL West divisional titles in 1982 and 1986.
Notably, Jackson hit three consecutive home runs at Yankee Stadium in the clinching game six of the 1977 World Series. Throughout his career, he accumulated 563 home runs and was an American League All-Star for 14 seasons. He received numerous awards, including two Silver Slugger Awards, the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1973, two World Series MVP Awards, and the Babe Ruth Award in 1977.
The Yankees retired Jackson's uniform number in 1993, and the Athletics followed suit in 2004. Currently, he serves as a special advisor to the Houston Astros, and a sixth championship associated with him came with Houston's win in the 2022 World Series.
In addition to his baseball accomplishments, Jackson has made appearances and participated in the Upper Deck Company's Heroes of Baseball exhibition games. He has also co-authored a book, Sixty-Feet Six-Inches, with fellow Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, detailing their careers and approach to the game.
Despite facing personal challenges, including three fires to his property, Jackson remains an iconic figure in baseball history. His remarkable career, marked by numerous accolades and championships, has cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
