Reggie Jackson
Our exclusive with the legendary "Mr. October"

By David Lauren

He is remembered for his trademarked pinstripes and his legendary World Series play, knocking five home runs—the most ever—in the 1977 fall classic as a New York Yankee against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But you'll be happy to discover that Reggie Jackson—who has a total of ten career World Series home runs, four of them consecutively in the '77 series—is now donning other uniforms: namely, herringbone and earth-toned suits and blazers of varying styles, not to mention the mantle of heading a foundation that attempts to better educational opportunities for underprivileged and inner-city children. The sports icon known as "Mr. October" talked to Polo.com about his life, his passions, his incomparable on-field performances and, of course, his personal style.

Polo.com: Did you always want to be a baseball player or did you have other aspirations?
Reggie Jackson: I started studying biology in order to become a doctor. But that ended because I got drafted in baseball. My family needed the money, so I left school early and turned professional. I went back to school but never got my degree.

Polo.com: Money was what brought you into the sport as a professional?
Reggie Jackson: My family needed the dollars, and I had a $100,000 bonus staring me in the face. At that time, $100,000 was the moon. I was able to help my parents out and take care of the family, and it was a good feeling. I also always had an extra few dollars in my pocket, and that was a feeling I had never really experienced.

Polo.com: Once you started to play professionally, did you enjoy it?
Reggie Jackson: I always had a good time playing. I think that I had as much fun or more fun than anybody that ever played the game, except maybe a guy like Willie Mays, who was so great, or Hank Aaron. But I was a fan of the game, and I'm still a fan today. I just loved playing and enjoyed it, and for me it was a good time every day.

Polo.com: Describe how you would feel as you got up to the plate and had thousands of people cheering for you.
Reggie Jackson: The fans were very supportive, but that makes you want to overdo some things sometimes. You have to tell yourself to relax and focus on the job at hand.

Polo.com: You've been quoted as saying, "Hitting is better than sex."
Reggie Jackson: Sometimes when you were playing well, it was. Remember this: it's a whole lot easier when things are going right in your own world. If things are going right on the field, and you're mashing the ball and having a great time hitting, then finding the right lady is a whole lot easier. You are a lot more comfortable with yourself, and the people around you are more comfortable.

Polo.com: What happens if you strike out?
Reggie Jackson: Well, that's part of it. If you strike out, you know you're going to get another chance—maybe not that day, but the next day. And recognizing that failure—having down times—is part of being successful.

Polo.com: Have you found other parallels between the sport and your life off the field?
Reggie Jackson: If I had a difficult time on the field—struggling, not getting base hits, striking out too much, the team losing—then I've struggled off the field, because, especially as a young man, I was consumed with excellence and sometimes that bothered my life off the field.

Polo.com: Who were your heroes when you were growing up?
Reggie Jackson: I was a pretty typical kid. I admired Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Jimmy Brown, Johnny Unitas and Sam Jones as basketball players. And then, as I got older, my idols were my peers, like Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider, Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax. Today, I admire guys like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan for the way they perform and manage themselves, and I really like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriquez, Roger Clemens and Mariano Rivera—players in our ball club.

Polo.com: You were recently honored at Old Timer's Day. What was it like?
Reggie Jackson: It was really cool, and I was very, very humbled. There were 55,000 people in attendance, including people whom I had worked with. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford and George Steinbrenner were all there. George said, "I don't think we'll ever be able to duplicate this Old Timer's Day." It really made for a wonderful day. I was very nervous as to how I would be received, but I was very proud to be with my family and friends. It was a very special day that I'll never forget.

Polo.com: What is your relationship with Steinbrenner like now?
Reggie Jackson: My relationship with George is very good. It's one that's gone full circle. I've matured quite a bit and learned how to deal with him. Certainly he's demanding, very tough and difficult at times, but I think there's a binding friendship between George and myself, a respect for and a genuine liking of each other that will last through eternity. We realize we're both part of the Yankee tradition.

Polo.com: How does it feel to be an icon of your sport and one of America's greatest sports legends?
Reggie Jackson: Well, I don't think about it that often. As you get older, you're able to gain a better perspective. I was a great player but certainly not a better player than Aaron, Mays, Mantle, DiMaggio, Williams or Gehrig, and I can go on and on. I'm pretty comfortable with who I am, and I know I may be one of the best, or one of the best in post season, but certainly not the greatest player that ever lived.

Polo.com: Is October still a special time for you?
Reggie Jackson: Yes, things go well for me in October. I enjoy living, I'll bet a little more on my golf game and maybe in a game of blackjack, and I'll take a few more chances because I expect positive results in the month of October.

Polo.com: Why did you decide to start the Mr. October Foundation for Kids?
Reggie Jackson: I think anytime you can give back and make an impact is great. That's why I started the Mr. October Foundation for Kids, which helps children with educational enhancement and other opportunities to allow them to further themselves educationally. You can go to ReggieJackson.com and look under Mr. October for Kids for more information.

Polo.com: And why did you choose education as the cause to support?
Reggie Jackson: I wanted to give youngsters the chance to be on equal footing—for them to communicate better, to get out of a difficult way of life, and to give them more self-esteem. The more we educate ourselves, the more we can understand and get along with others and be more productive.

Polo.com: Do you think sports is still encouraging its personalities to reach out and become philanthropic?
Reggie Jackson: It does to a point, but not enough. When it comes from people who are in leadership positions, the impact they have verbally is a positive and can be productive for people who are in need of hearing something positive.

Polo.com: When you were starting out, was there some advice that you got that became sort of a motto or words of inspiration that you lived by and now share with others?
Reggie Jackson: My Dad always would tell me, get the job done, son, and give me some results. Once, he sent me to the store to get a pint of Neapolitan ice cream, which at the time was 25 cents, but they didn't have it. So instead, I went across the street to the family grocer and borrowed 25 cents; then I went to the gas station and borrowed another quarter and got enough to buy a pint of vanilla, a pint of strawberry and a pint of chocolate, and ran home. And my Dad said, nice job, son, giving me a pat on the back. It was his way of saying, you got the job done, be it in an unexpected way.

Polo.com: Do you think you've changed over the years?
Reggie Jackson: I'm a lot more mature and have a lot of experiences that helped me in my life. I now appreciate the goodness of people, I revel in the joy of social interaction and I have a greater appreciation for my health, friends, loved ones and family—the things that become more important as you get older. But, the first thing is health because it is very difficult to enjoy life, family, friends or a loved one without good health.

Polo.com: How do you describe your personal style now that you're not in a baseball uniform all the time?
Reggie Jackson: I like to call myself a classic dresser. I still wear a blue blazer that I bought 10 or 15 years ago, because it's still in style. I probably have 25 or 30 suits that are basically grays, browns, blacks and tans—earthy colors that are in the business mold, be they herringbone or pinstripe. I also wear loose-fitting clothes, but not baggy, be they tops and shirts, casual slacks and khakis.

Polo.com: When you look back at your career, are there things along the way that you would have done differently?
Reggie Jackson: I wasn't a bad player but I would've liked to have been a better player, to try to improve all the time. But I look back, and I say, gosh, I'm very, very grateful for everything I've had. I just tip my cap to God and say, thank you so much.

Copyright 2002 Ralph Lauren Media, LLC

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