Reggie Jackson’s time with the A’s wasn’t short-lived by any means, but it’s fair to say fans would have loved to see him sport the green and gold forever. In his heart, however, he does.
Mr. October’s 10 years with the team earned six of his 14 total All-Star selections across the Hall of Fame outfielder's 21-year career. And he enjoyed every moment he spent with Oakland.
Jackson was part of the team’s dynasty in the 1970s that created the “The Swingin’ A’s.” The team won three consecutive World Series from 1972-74.
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“I’m a proud Oakland A with all the championship teams,” Jackson told The Chronicle’s Susan Slusser. “The team we had there is one of the great dynasties in all of baseball.”
Jackson even told NBC Sports California’s Monte Poole he believed those teams were better than his time with the New York Yankees. The A's were the best team he’s ever played on, he said.
He admitted he approaches both of the teams differently, but said if there was a way to hypothetically put both him and Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter on both squads, the A’s would have better pitching and a better outfield.
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Jackson said there’s a special place in his heart for the A’s, and despite all the talks, he would be disappointed to see them leave Oakland amid the possible relocation rumors.
“It would break my heart to see them leave,” he told Slusser. “I’m an Oakland A in my heart forever. It’s where I started, it’s where I have family. I still own a home there. I’ve got nothing bad to say about Oakland or anyone in the organization.”