Reggie Jackson

Reginald Martinez Jackson was born on May 18, 1946 in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.  After graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1964, he attended Arizona State University on a football scholarship, switching to baseball following his freshman year.  The Kansas City Athletics drafted Reggie with the second selection in the 1966 Amateur Draft. 

During Reggie Jackson's spectacular 21-year baseball career with the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and California Angels he led his teams to five world championships, six pennants and 11 division titles. He was the owner of what the Chicago Tribune termed "the most famous left-handed swing in the business," earned 14 trips to the All-Star Game, and was the American League home run champ four times. During his stellar major-league career as an outfielder and designated hitter, his accomplishments include winning both the regular season and World Series MVP in 1973, hitting 563 home runs (sixth all-time at the time of his retirement), and maintaining a .490 career slugging percentage.   

Jackson's World Series performances were truly remarkable. In 27 World Series games, he amassed 10 home runs, 24 RBI and a .357 batting average. In the 1977 Series, Jackson hit three home runs in three consecutive at-bats on three consecutive pitches and carried a .450 average. This incredible performance earned him World Series MVP honors for the second time in his career and the title "Mr. October." 

Today, Jackson is a special assistant to Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.  The Yankees retired his uniform number 44 on August 14, 1993, shortly after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  The Athletics retired his number 9 on May 22, 2004.  His Mr. October for Kids Foundation has been active in raising funds and materials to assist in educating children at risk since 1998.  He currently resides in Carmel, California.