Growing up a devout baseball fan, I knew about “Mr. October” and his clutch postseason batting. Though, when a player retires nearly a decade before you’re born, he becomes a legend that you only hear and read about. Reggie Jackson was a role model for me growing up and playing sports, he had all the individual accolades to go along with the championships. Jackson was an all-star fourteen times, he was the American League Most Valuable Player in 1973, and was the World Series Most Valuable Player twice. In addition to the personal achievements, Jackson was a five-time World Series champion. Jackson is one of nine players in professional baseball to have his number retired by two different teams. Further cementing his legacy, Jackson was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.
I was drawn to Reggie Jackson because of his incredible path to the major leagues. Jackson was raised by his father, who was a second basemen in the Negro Leagues. Jackson was a talented multi-sport athlete growing up in Pennsylvania. After he fractured his vertebrae in a high school football game, he was told he may never walk again, let alone play sports. Though, Jackson recovered and became a highly coveted football and baseball prospect. Jackson pursued both football and baseball at Arizona State, before settling on baseball his sophomore year. Jackson was drafted to the major leagues in 1966, beginning a twenty-one year professional career.
I was drawn to Reggie Jackson because of his incredible path to the major leagues. Jackson was raised by his father, who was a second basemen in the Negro Leagues. Jackson was a talented multi-sport athlete growing up in Pennsylvania. After he fractured his vertebrae in a high school football game, he was told he may never walk again, let alone play sports. Though, Jackson recovered and became a highly coveted football and baseball prospect. Jackson pursued both football and baseball at Arizona State, before settling on baseball his sophomore year. Jackson was drafted to the major leagues in 1966, beginning a twenty-one year professional career.