A TO Z: R is for...

 

Reggie Jackson, a/k/a Mister October, whose 292 home runs were the most by any American League player of the 1970s.

The Philadelphia native loved making headlines -- chasing Roger Maris' record in 1969, leading the A's to five division titles and three consecutive World Series titles and finding more fame when he joined the Yankees in 1977 where earned World Series MVP honors his first season -- capped by an iconic three-home run game in the clincher. The Yanks made the playoffs four times in his five years there.

Though he spent just five seasons in pinstripes, the Yankees retired his #44.  Along with catcher Thurman Munson, he symbolized a turbulent, but productive time as the Yankees, playing in the refurbished Stadium, restored the franchise's aura.  Famous feuds with Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner dominated the tabloid backpages; The Boss often mentioned that seeing Reggie leave was his biggest mistake as owner.

In recent years, he's been seen less in the Bronx and more in Houston, where he serves as a key advisor to Astros owner Jim Crane.

Make no mistake, wherever he hangs his cap, it's with a winning organization.  It's in his DNA -- over his 21 year career, Jackson played on teams that finished first 10 times!

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