The history of Mr. October
The graphic flashed on Fox’s telecast last night and made its way across all the social medias platforms from MLB’s account. The eerie numerical similarities between Reggie Jackson, the original Mr. October, and Corey Seager, the latest Mr. October.
Seager is on the verge of joining Jackson as the only position players to win two World Series Most Valuable Player awards. They are both left-handed. They both enjoy swinging at the first pitch. And that’s about where the similarities end.
Most stories about Seager note how he’s quiet, stoic, a hitting savant who doesn’t dislike the media, but keeps his comments brief and avoids controversy. That was on display in his postgame interview with Ken Rosenthal after Game Four last night. Quick, respectful answers, avoiding the slightest hint that maybe he was hurting when rounding the bases.
Jackson was proud, brash, and never afraid to speak his mind. His nickname is legendary, but most forgot how the nickname started. It was actually a cheap shot, by a teammate no less, and is a reminder of how incredibly tumultuous the 1977 New York Yankees were, and how tame baseball controversies are these days.
Let’s dig through the archives, shall we?
Jackson arrived in Gotham in 1977 as a high-priced free agent – five years, $3.5 million. Not $3.5 million per year, but $3.5 million total for five years. Even adjusting for inflation, that would be about $17.8 million total nowadays.
After a regular season in which he fought with manager Billy Martin in the dugout on national TV, and either called himself “the Straw that stirs the drink” or was misquoted, Jackson came into the 1977 playoffs with an October reputation.
At that point, his postseason slash line was .271/.344/.475 in 32 career playoff games. Of course, nobody used “slash line” back then. What we knew is Jackson was the MVP of the 1973 World Series for the Oakland A’s, and had five homers and 15 RBIs in October.
The Yankees played the Royals in a best-of-5 for the 1977 AL pennant. Jackson went 1-for-14 in the initial four games and got benched before Game Five, in favor of light hitting Paul Blair. Jackson was diplomatic about the benching. Down 3-1 in the eighth, Jackson delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to start a comeback. The Yanks scored three runs in the ninth to win the game and advance to the World Series.
Martin vowed that Jackson would return to the starting lineup against the Dodgers. He did. But the slump continued, one hit in the first two games, and the brewing war of words in the Yankees clubhouse was rekindled on the off day.
Jackson criticized Martin for starting Catfish Hunter, his former A’s teammate, in Game Two. Hunter hadn’t pitched in over a month, gave up three homers, five runs total, and was knocked out in the third inning to even the series at 1-1. In response, Martin said Jackson “can kiss my dago rear.”
Catcher Thurman Munson told reporters to call him “the former Yankee Captain” and wanted a trade in the offseason to his hometown Cleveland. When asked about the Martin-Jackson feud, Munson delivered the dig that became a nickname.
“Billy probably doesn’t realize that he’s Mr. October,” Munson said of Jackson. “But I don’t give a (expletive deleted) about Reggie Jackson and his comments. I’ve got five more games at most to worry about this (expletive deleted). I’ve been in the background all year anyhow.”
Jackson was on the verge of getting benched, again, before Game Three for three reasons.
He was publicly questioning the judgment of the manager.
The Dodgers were starting lefty Tommy John, the type of pitcher that Jackson struggled against.
Yankees players were livid about the seat location for their families at Dodger Stadium. Jackson threatened not to play.
Jackson did start Game Three and did end his slump. His RBI single in the first inning sparked a three-run rally in a 5-3 win. Jackson was just getting started. The next three days sealed the legend.
In Game Four, Jackson got two hits, including a home run.
In Game Five, Jackson got two more hits, including a home run.
In Game Six, Jackson famously hit three home runs (on three pitches) to clinch the series, his second World Series MVP, and the nickname Mr. October forever.
In a span of 10 days, Jackson went from getting benched in an elimination game to the October legend that all future October legends are measured.
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