Tuesday, Jul. 13, 2010

The '70s Dynasty

While Reggie Jackson's first season in pinstripes was tumultuous, by the fall of 1977, Jackson made Steinbrenner look like a genius. After losing to the Boston Red Sox in a nationally televised game in June, Jackson and the Yankees rallied to win the pennant and face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Jackson hit home runs in Games 4 and 5, but Game 6 sealed his legend. After hitting three home runs, each on the first pitch of consecutive at bats, Yankees captain Thurman Munson called Jackson "Mr. October." The name stuck. The Yankees would face the Dodgers again in the 1978 World Series, which the Yankees again won in six games. Jackson left the team following the 1981 season, and the Yankees did not win another World Series until 1996.