New York Yankees legend Reggie Jackson hands off Mr. October nickname

Reggie Jackson is remembered for coming up big when the lights were brightest. The New York Yankees legend earned his nickname of Mr. October after his performance in Game Six of the 1977 World Series, hitting three homers off of three different pitchers in the clinching game. Jackson will always be remembered for his outsized personality, swagger, and his clutch postseason performances.

But Jackson is ready to hand off his Mr. October nickname. He has passed the nickname to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, leaving one of his custom hats with ‘Mr. October’ on the side in Correa’s locker after Game Four of the ALCS.

New York Yankees legend Reggie Jackson passes hat to Carlos Correa

There is nothing more perfect than Jackson walking around during the postseason wearing hats that have ‘Mr. October’ on the side. He was as much of a showman as a ballplayer during his career, known for his bombast and ability to back it up on the diamond. With a lifetime .885 OPS, 18 homers, and two World Series MVPs over the course of his playoff career, he earned that nickname.

Correa has certainly made an impact in the postseason as well. Over his 300 plate appearances in October, he has an identical .885 OPS and 18 homers as Jackson. Although the Astros’ shortstop has a long way to go in terms of matching Jackson in rings, his performance is right there with the Yankees’ legend.

While Correa has been solid in the postseason, handing that nickname off to him seems to be a strange choice. Perhaps it is because Jackson is currently working for the Astros’ organization, and Correa has tied him in those two areas in roughly the same amount of games. However, there are other players that could have a claim to that title.

After watching with Enrique Hernandez has done this offseason, or what Randy Arozarena has done over the past two years, it is difficult to say that Correa deserves the title more. For that matter, David Ortiz may have been the best clutch player of his generation. Even Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has a claim, having hit more homers with a better OPS than Correa.

Despite the competition, it all comes down to what Jackson believes. To him, the new Mr. October should be Correa, a player whose numbers, to this point, match his own. It’s his nickname after all.

New York Yankees legend Reggie Jackson left a Mr. October hat for Carlos Correa. Maybe the postseason baton is being passed off after all these years.