Mike Jackson (right-handed pitcher) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Jackson |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: December 22, 1964 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 11, 1986, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 29, 2004, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 62–67 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.42 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,006 | ||
| Saves | 142 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Michael Ray Jackson (born December 22, 1964) is a former professional baseball player from the United States. He played for 19 seasons, with 17 of those in Major League Baseball (MLB). Mike was mostly a relief pitcher, which means he came into games after the starting pitcher. He had a good career, getting 1,006 strikeouts in 1,005 games.
Mike Jackson is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg) during his playing days. He started his professional career in 1984 with the Spartanburg Suns, a minor league team. After dealing with arm injuries in the early 1990s, he became a top relief pitcher again. He even played in the 1997 World Series with the Cleveland Indians. He retired from baseball in 2005.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Mike Jackson was born in Houston, Texas, on December 22, 1964. He went to Forest Brook High School and then to Hill College.
Joining the Philadelphia Phillies
Mike was first picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft. He didn't sign that year, but the Phillies picked him again in 1984. He then signed a contract for $60,000 on April 27, 1984.
He began playing in the minor leagues for the Spartanburg Suns in 1984. He had a great start, with a 2.68 earned run average (ERA). He also showed he could hit, with a .368 batting average.
In 1985, he played for the Peninsula Pilots. He pitched in 31 games, sometimes starting and sometimes coming in as a reliever.
Major League Debut
In 1986, Mike played in three different leagues, including the Major Leagues. He made his MLB debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on August 11, 1986. In his first game, he pitched a "perfect inning" in relief. This means he got three outs without anyone reaching base. He finished the 1986 season with a 3.38 ERA.
He played most of the 1987 season with the Phillies. On December 9, 1987, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners.
Playing for the Seattle Mariners
Mike Jackson played for the Seattle Mariners from 1988 to 1991. He was a very busy pitcher during these years. In both 1988 and 1989, he pitched in over 60 games each season. He had a good ERA of 2.90 over these two years.
After four seasons with the Mariners, Mike was traded to the San Francisco Giants.
Time with the San Francisco Giants
Mike joined the San Francisco Giants in 1992. He made his debut for them on April 7, 1992. He pitched in 67 games that year, which was the second-highest number in his time with the Giants. He finished the season with a 3.73 ERA and 80 strikeouts.
In 1993, he led all of Major League Baseball by pitching in 81 games! He also led the league in "holds" with 33. A hold is when a relief pitcher comes in with a lead and keeps it.
The 1994 MLB season was shorter than usual because of a strike. Even so, Mike had an amazing year. He had the best ERA (1.49) among National League relievers. He also allowed very few hits. However, his season was cut short due to tendinitis in his right elbow. He became a free agent after the season.
Moving to the Cincinnati Reds
Mike signed with the Cincinnati Reds on April 8, 1995. He faced more injury problems that year, but when he pitched, he was excellent. He had the best ERA on the team (2.39) and recorded 41 strikeouts in 40 games.
The Reds made it to the playoffs that year. They won the National League Divisional Series but lost the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. Mike became a free agent again in November 1995.
Back with the Seattle Mariners
In 1996, Mike signed a contract to return to the Seattle Mariners. He continued to pitch well, getting almost nine strikeouts for every nine innings he pitched. After the season, a baseball magazine called him a "competent and underappreciated setup man." However, the Mariners decided not to re-sign him because his new contract would be too expensive.
Years with the Cleveland Indians
In 1997, Mike Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. He sometimes served as the team's "closer," which is the pitcher who finishes the game to get the final outs and secure a win.
The Indians had a great year in 1997 and made it to the playoffs. They won against the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. This led them to the World Series against the Florida Marlins. Mike pitched well in the World Series, but the Indians lost the series.
In 1998, Mike became the main closer for the Indians. He recorded 40 saves that year, which means he successfully finished 40 games where his team had a lead. The Indians made the playoffs again but were stopped by the New York Yankees.
Mike finished his time with Cleveland in 1999. He had 39 saves that year, ranking fourth in the American League. He also reached two big milestones: his 100th career save and his 800th career game appearance. He became a free agent in October 1999.
Later Career and Retirement
Mike signed with the Phillies again in 2000, but he didn't get to pitch that season. He had surgery on his right shoulder.
In 2001, he signed with the Houston Astros. The Astros won their division and made the playoffs, but they lost to the Atlanta Braves. In 2002, Mike joined the Minnesota Twins. He helped them reach the playoffs, but they lost in the American League Championship Series.
In 2003, Mike signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he was released before the season started and didn't play that year. He later said he was disappointed to sit out the season.
His last professional season was in 2004 with the Chicago White Sox. He pitched in 46 games before being released in September. Mike Jackson retired from baseball in 2005.
Personal Life
Mike Jackson is married to Tammy Jackson. They have four children: Lindsay, Ryan, Amber, and Michael. In 2017, Mike represented the Indians at the MLB draft.
See also
- Philadelphia Phillies all-time roster (I–J)
