MLB History: Top Fifty Players in Baseball History

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; At general view of the presentations during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; At general view of the presentations during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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41. Reggie Jackson

Best known for his exploits in the postseason, Reggie Jackson was one of the more fearsome sluggers of his time, a player whose prowess with the bat was only matched by his colorful personality.

A star with the Oakland A’s, Jackson truly burst into the national consciousness when he came to the New York Yankees. His extreme confidence and swagger, along with his feuds with manager Billy Martin, made him a fixture in the tabloids and a favorite source of quotes for the media.

Yet, Jackson was a lot more than his image. He was a true power hitter, leading the league in home runs on four different occasions. He put everything he had into his swing, leading to a great deal of strikeouts; in fact, Jackson’s career 2597 strikeouts are the most in MLB history. The MVP of the 1973 season, Jackson was a 14 time All-Star and truly larger than life.

In his storied career, Jackson posted a career .262/.356/.490 batting line, hitting 563 home runs and driving in 1702 runs. He ranks 13th in homers and 23rd in RBI, helping anchor the lineup around him. Jackson also had solid speed in his younger days, finishing his career with 228 stolen bases and having four seasons with twenty homers and twenty steals.

Reggie Jackson was at his best when the spotlight was shining, and with his bravado and refusal to back down, he was constantly under that glare. As evidenced by his production, he relished every moment of it.

Next: A true natural