Reggie Arrives
Reggie Jackson is one of baseball's all time greats. He did what had to be done when it had to be done.
With the Oakland Athletics, Reggie missed the 1972 World Series due to an injury he suffered when he twisted his knee sliding into home plate against the Tigers in the playoffs, a Tigers team that was managed by Billy Martin. While Reggie watched the games, the Athletics beat the Tigers and then won the World Series.
Reggie was healthy in 1973 and had an outstanding season, leading the American League in home runs (32), RBIs (117), slugging average (.531), and runs scored (99). In the World Series against New York's other team, Reggie led the Athletics to a seven game World Series win.
Reggie hit .310 but of greater significance, with the Athletics trailing three games to two, Reggie drove in two runs and scored a another in a do or die 3-1 win over Tom Seaver. In Game 7, he hit a two run home off lefty Jon Matlack as the Athletics won their second consecutive World Championship. Reggie was named World Series MVP.
Some modern fans point out Reggie's obscene lifetime strikeout total and the fact that he was not a good defensive outfielder, but the fact remains that he was at his best when it counted the most, which is all that really matters. In seven World Series, Reggie has a .357 batting average, a .457 on base average, a .755 slugging average, and 10 home runs in 98 at bats. Hello, Barry Bonds.
References:
http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballl...
http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballl...
Chass, Murray. (1978). Jackson connects with fans." The New York Times, March 1, 1978, p.A21.
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