Today is a great day in New York Yankees history.
The storied franchise has won 27 World Series titles, by far the most among MLB teams.
The sixties and seventies, however, weren’t particularly fruitful for them.
From 1965 until 1976, the team didn’t make the playoffs.
That 1976 season represented a World Series loss, but at least the squad was making the headlines again.
The Yanks would try again in 1977, and they would finally win their first Fall Classic since 1962.
For an organization like the Yankees, 15 years without a World Series is a long time.
That 1977 World Series would have an unquestioned star in Reggie Jackson.
“Today In 1977: New York #Yankees star Reggie Jackson becomes “Mr. October” when he blasts 3 HRs on 3 consecutive pitches vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium!,” Baseball by BSmile tweeted.
Today In 1977: New York #Yankees star Reggie Jackson becomes “Mr. October” when he blasts 3 HRs on 3 consecutive pitches vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium! #Baseball #MLB #History #Postseason pic.twitter.com/DF1WHX0qNB
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) October 18, 2022
A New Cult Hero Was Born In The Bronx
That postseason, and specifically the World Series, marked the birth of a new cult hero in the Bronx.
Jackson’s confidence and flair were just what the franchise needed in those days.
With his immense power, Jackson would take the Yanks back where they belonged.
The mercurial slugger would help New York win a second consecutive Fall Classic in 1978, just a year later, and played another World Series in 1981 that resulted in a loss.
Over the course of a brilliant 21-year career in MLB, Jackson hit an incredible 563 home runs during regular season play, drove in 1,702 runs, and even stole 228 bases.
Even these days, in 2022, the nickname “Mr. October” is still used when people refer to Jackson.
What he did in the World Series won’t ever be forgotten by Yankees fans.
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