Career Timeline of Reggie Jackson: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Reggie Jackson made an impact.

Reggie Jackson, a former American professional baseball right fielder, played 21 seasons in MLB for multiple teams, including the Athletics, Orioles, Yankees, and Angels. Known for his power hitting and clutch performances, particularly in the World Series with the Yankees, he earned the nickname "Mr. October." Jackson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993, his first year of eligibility, solidifying his place as one of baseball's most memorable and impactful figures.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1966: Played in Class A Teams

In 1966, Reggie Jackson played for two Class A teams, the Broncs and Modesto, where he hit 21 home runs.

1966: Replaced Rick Monday at Center Field

In 1966, during his sophomore year, Reggie Jackson replaced Rick Monday at center field. He broke the team record for most home runs in a single season and was named first team All-American.

1966: Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics

On June 7, 1966, Reggie Jackson was selected by the Kansas City Athletics in the Major League Baseball draft as the second overall pick.

1967: Played for Birmingham A's

In 1967, Reggie Jackson played for the Birmingham A's in the Double-A Southern League in Birmingham, Alabama.

1967: MLB Debut with the Athletics

In 1967, on June 9, Reggie Jackson debuted in the major leagues with the Athletics in Kansas City, getting his first career hit, a triple.

1968: Athletics Move to Oakland

Prior to the 1968 season, the Athletics moved west to Oakland.

1969: Career-High Home Runs

In 1969, Reggie Jackson hit a career-high 47 home runs, briefly ahead of the pace set by Roger Maris in 1961, and Babe Ruth in 1927.

1971: Memorable Home Run in All-Star Game

In 1971, Reggie Jackson hit a memorable home run in the All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis.

1971: Won American League West Division

In 1971, the Athletics won the American League's West division, their first title of any kind since 1931.

1972: World Series Title with Oakland Athletics

In 1972, Reggie Jackson helped the Oakland Athletics win their first of three consecutive World Series titles.

February 1974: Arbitration Win

In February 1974, Reggie Jackson won an arbitration case for a $135,000 salary for the season.

1974: Third consecutive World Series title with Oakland Athletics

In 1974, Reggie Jackson contributed to the Oakland Athletics' third consecutive World Series title.

1974: World Series Win

In 1974, the A's won the World Series again, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

1975: Arbitration Loss and Division Title

In 1975, Reggie Jackson sought $168,000, but arbitration went against him, and the A's won a fifth consecutive division title.

April 2, 1976: Traded to Baltimore Orioles

On April 2, 1976, Reggie Jackson, along with Ken Holtzman and Bill Van Bommel, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez, and Paul Mitchell.

1976: Lemon Joined Yankees as Coach

In 1976, Bob Lemon worked as one of Steinbrenner's coaches during the Bombers' pennant-winning season.

1976: Yankees Sign Jackson

In 1976, on November 29, the Yankees signed Reggie Jackson to a five-year contract totaling $2.96 million.

1976: Analysis in the ABC booth

In the fall of 1976, Jackson did analysis in the ABC booth with Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell the night his future team won the American League pennant on a homer by Chris Chambliss.

1977: First Season with the Yankees

In 1977, Reggie Jackson began his first season with the Yankees, choosing to wear number 44 as a tribute to Hank Aaron.

1977: World Series Title with New York Yankees

In 1977, Reggie Jackson helped the New York Yankees win a World Series title. In the clinching game six, he famously hit three consecutive home runs at Yankee Stadium.

1977: World Series MVP Award

In 1977, Reggie Jackson won the World Series MVP award for the second time, becoming the first player to do so for two different teams. He hit three home runs in Game Six, totaling five home runs in the series and setting a record of 25 total bases.

1978: Back-to-back World Series Titles with New York Yankees

In 1978, Reggie Jackson helped the New York Yankees win their second consecutive World Series title.

1979: Guest Appearance on Diff'rent Strokes

In 1979, Reggie Jackson guest-starred as himself in an episode of the television sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and in an episode of The Love Boat.

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1980: Silver Slugger Award

In 1980, Reggie Jackson batted .300 for the only time in his career and tied for the American League lead in home runs with 41. He won the inaugural Silver Slugger Award as a designated hitter.

1981: Signed with the California Angels

After the 1981 season, Jackson became a free agent and signed a five-year contract with the California Angels.

1981: Hosting Reggie Jackson's World of Sports

From 1981 to 1985, Reggie Jackson hosted Reggie Jackson's World of Sports for Nickelodeon.

1981: Contract Difficulties with Steinbrenner

In 1981, as Jackson entered the last year of his contract with the Yankees, he faced difficulties with George Steinbrenner, including a contract dispute and a physical examination invoked by Steinbrenner during the MLB strike.

April 27, 1982: First Game Back at Yankee Stadium with the Angels

On April 27, 1982, Reggie Jackson played his first game back at Yankee Stadium with the Angels and hit a home run off Ron Guidry, prompting Yankee fans to chant against Steinbrenner.

1982: AL West Divisional Title with California Angels

In 1982, Reggie Jackson contributed to the California Angels winning an AL West divisional title.

1982: Appearance on Archie Bunker's Place

In 1982, Reggie Jackson played himself in the Archie Bunker's Place episode "Reggie-3 Archie-0".

1983: Presiding over World Series Trophy presentation

In 1983, Jackson was given the task of presiding over the World Series Trophy presentations.

September 17, 1984: 500th Career Home Run

On September 17, 1984, Reggie Jackson hit his 500th career home run at Anaheim Stadium off Bud Black of the Royals.

1984: Color commentary

In 1984, Jackson did color commentary for the National League Championship Series (alongside Don Drysdale and Earl Weaver).

1984: Home Run over Tiger Stadium Roof

In 1984, while playing with the Angels, Reggie Jackson hit a home run over the roof of Tiger Stadium, the same stadium where he hit the memorable home run in the 1971 All-Star Game.

1985: Presiding over World Series Trophy presentation

In 1985, Jackson was given the task of presiding over the World Series Trophy presentations.

1985: Appearance on The Jeffersons

In 1985, Reggie Jackson appeared as himself in The Jeffersons episode "The Unnatural".

1986: Second AL West Divisional Title with California Angels

In 1986, Reggie Jackson helped the California Angels win their second AL West divisional title.

1986: Angels Win American League West

In 1986, the Angels, with Reggie Jackson, won the American League West division but lost the American League Championship Series for the second time in a row.

1987: Presiding over World Series Trophy presentation

In 1987, Jackson was given the task of presiding over the World Series Trophy presentations.

1987: Return to the A's and Retirement Announcement

In 1987, Reggie Jackson signed a one-year contract to return to the A's, wearing number 44. He announced that he would retire after the season at the age of 41.

January 1988: Offer to play in Japan

In January 1988, Reggie Jackson received an offer to play baseball in Japan and told reporters he might consider it.

August 1988: Rumors of comeback with Yankees

In August 1988, there were reports that Reggie Jackson approached the New York Yankees about coming out of retirement for the stretch run. Jackson later denied the rumors.

1988: Color commentary

In 1988, Jackson returned to his color commentary role covering the American League Championship Series (alongside Gary Bender and Joe Morgan) for ABC.

1988: Endorsement of Reggie Jackson Baseball video game

In 1988, the Sega Master System released the baseball video game "Reggie Jackson Baseball", endorsed by Reggie Jackson and sold exclusively in the United States. Outside of the U.S., it was released as American Baseball.

1990: Spokesperson for Upper Deck Company

In 1990, Reggie Jackson became the de facto spokesperson for the Upper Deck Company, appearing in ads and baseball games. The affiliation also included the company's "Find the Reggie" promotion which inserted 2500 autograph cards into packs of 1990 Upper Deck Baseball High Series packs, an important first in the trading card hobby.

1990: Appearance on MacGyver

In 1990, Reggie Jackson played himself in the MacGyver episode "Squeeze Play".

1991: Fired from coaching position

In 1991, Reggie Jackson was unceremoniously fired from a coaching position by the Oakland Athletics.

2002: Failed bid for the Angels

In 2002, Reggie Jackson's attempt to acquire the Angels along with Jimmy Nederlander and other investors was thwarted by Arturo Moreno, who outbid Jackson's group by nearly $50 million.

2004: Appearance on Malcolm in the Middle

In 2004, Reggie Jackson appeared as himself in the Malcolm in the Middle episode "Polly in the Middle".

2008: First pitch at Yankee Stadium

In 2008, Reggie Jackson threw the ceremonial first pitch at both the last game at the original Yankee Stadium and the first game at the new Yankee Stadium.

October 9, 2009: Ceremonial pitch at ALDS Game 2

On October 9, 2009, Reggie Jackson threw the ceremonial opening pitch at Game 2 of the ALDS between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.

2010: Co-authored Sixty-Feet Six-Inches

In 2010, Reggie Jackson co-authored the book "Sixty-Feet Six-Inches" with Bob Gibson, detailing their careers and approach to baseball.

May 12, 2021: Joined the Houston Astros as Special Advisor

On May 12, 2021, Reggie Jackson joined the Houston Astros as a special advisor to owner Jim Crane, focusing on community support and baseball-related matters.