“MR. OCTOBER”
∗ Born May 18, 1946, in Abington, Pennsylvania
∗ Attended Arizona State University on a football scholarship, playing the 1965 season under coach Frank Kush, whom he credits with teaching him to have the mental and physical toughness to become a successful professional; joined the baseball team as a walk-on during his freshman year, playing for coach Bobby Winkles; was the first black man on the baseball team; met his first wife at ASU; is a distant cousin of baseball legend Barry Bonds, who also attended ASU
∗ Left ASU in 1966 after being drafted by the Kansas City Athletics (second pick in the first round) and played in the minor leagues; made major league debut on June 9, 1967
∗ Played major league baseball for 21 seasons, which included being a member of 11 division winners and six pennant winners; played on five World Series champion teams – Oakland Athletics (1972, 1973, 1974) and New York Yankees (1977, 1978); named World Series Most Valuable Player in 1973 and 1977, the only non-pitcher to win the award twice
∗ Hit record five homers in 1977 World Series, including the first pitch off three different hurlers in Game 6 – earning him the nickname “Mr. October” for his clutch hitting in postseason
∗ Named to the American League All-Star team 14 times; led the AL in homers in 1973 and 1975; was the first major leaguer to hit 100 home runs for three different teams
∗ Worked as a post-season field reporter and color commentator for ABC Sports during the 1970s and 1980s; was a fiery personality and often controversial
∗ Guest starred as himself on several TV series (including MacGyver, The Love Boat, Malcolm in the Middle); appeared in The Naked Gun movie (1988); hosted Reggie Jackson’s World of Sports on Nickelodeon (1981-1982)
∗ Retired from baseball after the 1987 season; hit 563 career home runs (sixth all-time when he retired) and is still the all-time leader in career strikeouts (2,597)
∗ Owned a chain of auto dealerships in California; became a leading trader in sports memorabilia; was part of a group that attempted to buy the California Angels in 2002, but was outbid by Arizona native Arturo Moreno
∗ Inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1993; placed 48th in The Sporting News 1999 list of the “100 Greatest Baseball Players”; honored with a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium, describing him as “one of the most colorful and exciting players of his era, a prolific hitter who thrived in pressure situations”
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