Reggie Jackson was a multiple sports star that accepted a football scholarship to Arizona State University. Jackson’s passion was to play baseball, and he played both sports in college. The slugger describes how he dealt with racism, including the New York Mets passing on him in the baseball draft because he was dating a white student. It was the 1960’s, and Jackson tried to avoid the south, but was sent to Georgia by the A’s to play minor league baseball.
Jackson’s fortunes certainly changed after being selected by Charlie Finley’s A’s. Charlie O, as he was commonly called, gave the young Jackson a $95,000 signing bonus, and a new car. Jackson was promoted to the main roster, where he helped the A’s win three consecutive World Series championships. In “Becoming Mr. October,” Jackson tells the story of a young MC Hammer, who Finley hired to be the club’s bat boy. Jackson claims he gave him the nickname “hammer” as he looked like Hank Aaron.
After recently enjoying “A Well-Paid Slave: Curt Flood’s Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sports,” it was refreshing to hear Jackson give Flood his proper due for fighting baseball’s dreaded reserve clause, that locked up a player’s rights to his Major League team. Jackson certainly benefited from free agency, signing with New York Yankees, and winning two more World Series rings.
Jackson gives his side of the story regarding the infamous “Sport” magazine interview, that caused friction with his teammates. “Mr. October” also comments on his many run ins with manager Billy Martin. Jackson pulls no punches, describing Martin as an alcoholic and lair. Reggie also believes Martin destroyed many pitching arms by over using them in games, citing many examples of players that faded out after playing for the Yankee skipper.
Also in “Becoming Mr. October,” Jackson revisits the issues he had with teammates and owner George George Steinbrenner, becoming a Christian, and signing a deal to be the face on the “Reggie” candy bar. He also gives the original of this nickname, and shares many interesting baseball stories. This was an enjoyable audiobook!
By: Reggie Jackson, Kevin Baker
Narrated by: Reggie Jackson
Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 10-08-13
Publisher: Random House Audio