Grant Jackson (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grant Jackson |
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Jackson in 1972
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: September 28, 1942 Fostoria, Ohio |
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| Died: February 2, 2021 (aged 78) North Strabane Township, Pennsylvania |
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| debut | |||
| September 3, 1965, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 8, 1982, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 86–75 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.46 | ||
| Strikeouts | 889 | ||
| Saves | 79 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Grant Dwight Jackson (born September 28, 1942 – died February 2, 2021) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played for eighteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Grant played for several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos, and Kansas City Royals. His career lasted from 1965 to 1982. Jackson was a switch hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate. He threw the ball with his left hand. Most of his career was spent as a relief pitcher, coming into games after the starting pitcher.
After he stopped playing, Grant Jackson became a coach for the Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds.
Contents
Grant Jackson's Baseball Journey
Growing Up and Starting Out
Grant Jackson was born in Fostoria, Ohio, on September 28, 1942. He was the fourth of nine children in his family. When his father passed away in 1960, Grant's older brother, Carlos, became like a father to him.
Grant went to Fostoria High School and finished in 1961. He wanted to go to Bowling Green State University to play baseball, but he didn't get the grades for a scholarship. He played a short time for the Bowling Green Falcons baseball team there. In November 1961, the Philadelphia Phillies signed him as a free agent, which means he wasn't drafted but signed directly with the team.
Playing in the Big Leagues
Grant Jackson started his MLB career with the Phillies in 1965. He was chosen to be an All-Star for the National League in 1969. Even though he was picked, he didn't get to play in that particular game.
In December 1970, the Phillies traded Jackson to the Baltimore Orioles. This happened because he had some disagreements with his manager, Frank Lucchesi. In 1973, Jackson had a fantastic year for the Orioles. He won 8 games and didn't lose any (8–0 record). His earned run average (ERA) was very low at 1.90, which means he gave up very few runs. He pitched in 45 games and had 47 Strikeouts.
In June 1976, Jackson was part of a big trade. He moved from the Orioles to the New York Yankees. After that season, the Seattle Mariners picked him in a special draft for new teams. But just a few weeks later, the Mariners traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Grant Jackson played for the Pirates until 1981. In September 1981, the Montreal Expos bought him from the Pirates. After that season, the Expos traded him to the Kansas City Royals. In 1982, the Royals let him go, but he quickly signed again with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished his MLB career with the Pirates that year.
Winning the World Series
Grant Jackson played in the World Series three times during his career. He played in the 1971 World Series with the Orioles and the 1976 World Series with the Yankees. His most famous World Series moment was in 1979 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, which helped the Pirates win the championship!
He also played a short time in a league for older professional players called the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989.
After Playing: Coaching Days
After his playing days, Grant Jackson became a baseball coach. He was the pitching or bullpen coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1983 to 1985. Later, he was also a bullpen coach for the Cincinnati Reds in 1994 and 1995.
Later Years and Legacy
Grant Jackson stopped coaching in 2002. Two years later, he was honored by his hometown. He was inducted into the Fostoria High School Hall of Fame as one of its very first members.
Grant Jackson passed away in Pennsylvania on February 2, 2021, at the age of 78. He had been sick before his death.
