I still remember that night (game 6 of the 1977 World Series) when Jackson hit three home runs against the LA Dodgers. For me that World Series was like choosing between HIV or ebola. I didn't care for him at the time, but now I have a greater appreciation for Reggie. I'm surprised Topps didn't mention that game on the back of this card.
This card has a great picture of Jackson at the end of his swing. It looks like he hit a long ball in Yankee Stadium.
Reggie caught some flak for his defense (and early in his career he was below average), but at this stage of his career he was right at league average in range factor and slightly above average in fielding percentage. His fielding didn't start to drop off until about 1980.
1978 Stats:
Regular season: .274, 27 HR, 97 RBI in 146 games
AL Championship Series: .462, 2 HR, 6 RBI in 4 games
World Series: .391, 2 HR, 8 RBI in 6 games
1978 Highlights:
May 13 - Homered twice and knocked in three runs in New York's 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Oct 2 - Hit a home run in the 8th inning to put the Yankees ahead 5-2 in the playoff game that decided the AL East championship. New York eventually beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4.
Oct 3 - Went 3 for 3 with a 3-run home run to help the Yankees beat the Royals 7-1 in game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
Here is Reggie's at bat in game 2 of the 1978 World Series when Bob Welch struck him out to end the game.
And here's the famous play where Jackson may or may not have interfered with a throw to first base, allowing a run to score. Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda sure thinks he interfered.
