Reginald Jackson is a former professional right fielder and attented college at Arizona State Univeristy for football. One day after football practice, he approached ASU baseball coach and asked if he could join the team. Winkles said he would give Jackson a look, and the next day while still in his football gear, he hit a home run on the second pitch he saw.

Jacksn played 21 MLB seasons for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and California Angels. Jackson was nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the Athletics and the Yankees. He helped Oakland win five consecutive AL West divisional pennants, three consecutive AL pennants and three consecutive World Series titles, from 1972 to 1974. Jackson helped New York win four AL East divisional pennants, three AL pennants and two consecutive World Series titles, from 1977 to 1981. He also helped the California Angels win two AL West divisional pennants in 1982 and 1986. Jackson hit three consecutive home runs at Yankee Stadium in the clinching game six of the 1977 World Series. Jackson hit 563 career home runs and was an AL  All-Star for 14 seasons. He won two Silver Slugger Awards, the 1973 AL MVP,.

Jackson also won two World Series MVP Award, and the Babe Ruth Award in 1977. The Yankees and Athletics retired his team uniform number in 1993 and 2004. He was also inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. As of 2021, Jackson serves as a special advisor to the Yankees.