On Sept. 17, 1984 California Angels
slugger and Hall of Famer Reggie
Jackson becomes just the thirteenth player in Major League Baseball history
to hit 500 home runs.
Jackson joined Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, Mel Ott, Ted Williams,
Willie Mays, Mickey Mantles, Eddie Matthews, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Harmon
Killebrew, Frank Robinson and Willie McCovey in the 500 home run club.
Since Jackson hit career home 500, the club has grown in
size with Mike Schmidt, Eddie Murray, Mark McGwire,
Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Alex
Rodriguez, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield joining the club.
Jackson’s career included several other special moments
including 563 regular season long balls, five World Series Championships, three
with the Oakland Athletics including three consecutive from 1972-1974 and two
with the Yankees in 1977 and 1978. Jackson was named the 1973 American League
MVP, and in 1977 he earned the Babe Ruth award, for the most home runs hit in
all of baseball. He also earned two Silver Slugger awards in 1980 and 1982. As
well he was a 14-time All-Star in his 21-year career.
Jackson would finish his career with a .262 batting average,
2,584 hits and 1,702 RBI’s to go along with his 563 career home runs.
In 1993 Jackson was voted into Cooperstown Baseball Hall of
Fame with 93.6 percent of the vote. It was the first time he appeared on the
ballot. The Oakland Athletics have retired his no. 9 jersey and the Yankees his
no. 44 jersey.
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