Reggie Jackson Childhood

Reginald Martinez Jackson was born on May 18, 1946 in Abington, PA. He is the son of Clara and Martinez Jackson. At a young age, Reggie’s parents parted ways. He would be primarily raised by his father, someone he idolized. Growing up Reggie often helped his dad run his dry cleaning business. Life lessons were taught to him by his father through their time working together. Although he had real life work experience as a youth, Reggie was a kid who also played sports. He was a tremendous athlete and excelled at the sports he played.  

Reggie Jackson High School Stats and Awards

Jackson attended Cheltenham High School where he was a multi-sport athlete. He played baseball, football and ran track. During high school he received several football scholarship offers. In baseball Reggie was a good pitcher as well as a tremendous hitter. Jackson would eventually go to Arizona State on a football scholarship. 

Reggie Jackson College Career Stats and Notes

Jackson initially went to Arizona State to play football but baseball would end up being the sport of choice there. After one season of football, Jackson decided to walk on to the baseball team. Jackson would go on to help the Sun Devils to a 41-11 record and earn First Team All-American honors. It turned out to be a short stint in college cause after one season of baseball Jackson decided to go to the majors as he was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in 1966. 

Reggie Jackson MLB Career Stats and Notes

Jackson made his major league debut on June 9, 1967. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Athletics organization, which had moved to Oakland in 1968. After one season with the Baltimore Orioles, Jackson signed with the New York Yankees prior to the 1977 season. He spent five years in the Big Apple before finishing his legendary career on the west coast. In 1982, Jackson joined the California Angels. He played there for five years before signing with the team he started his career with, the Oakland Athletics, in 1987. He spent one last season in the Bay before retiring. In 1993, Reggie Jackson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Reggie Jackson 3-HR Game in 1977 World Series

In baseball, legends and iconic moments are made in the postseason. During the World Series, a player can launch himself into baseball immortality by capitalizing on that memorable opportunity. For Reggie Jackson, his moment got him the nickname ‘Mr. October’!

On October 18, 1977, Jackson and the New York Yankees faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series in the Bronx. With the Yanks up 3-2, a win would clinch their first title in fifteen years. 

Although the Dodgers jumped out to an early 3-2 lead, Jackson crushed any hopes of there being a Game 7. After a walk in his first at bat, Jackson proceeded to cement himself in baseball lore. His next three at bats resulted in three home runs. A 3-HR game in the World Series had been done before by the great Babe Ruth. However Jackson did it on only three pitches, by three different pitchers! His iconic performance clinched the championship for the Yankees and earned him the 1977 World Series MVP. 

List of Baseball Hall of Fame Members