The 2005 World Series

Reggie Jackson

He was charming and belligerent; cocky and self-effacing; articulate and crude; enigmatic and straightforward. You didn't just watch Reggie Jackson, you experienced him. The love/hate bond that fans, players and owners formed with the complex, often-contradictory kid from Wyncote, Pa., lasted 21 years, surviving 563 home runs and at least that many well-publicized tantrums.

Jackson, muscular and with an all-or-nothing corkscrew lefthanded swing, enjoyed several baseball lives. Jackson was the heart and soul of an Oakland team that won three straignt World Series (1972, 1973 and 1974); the straw that stirred a Yankees team that won two straight Series (1977 and 1978); and Mr. October, who rose to his greatest heights in the 11 League Championship Series and five World Series in which he competed.

The bottom line on Jackson was drama -- and emotion, which he kept upfront for all the paying customers to see. A Jackson home run was majestic and he exulted accordingly, with a slow, measured trot. Jackson strikeouts (all 2,597 of them) were exciting and he fumed with demonstrative vigor. Jackson's right-field defense was erratic, his baserunning was daring but sometimes careless and his battles with owners, teammates, fans and even himself were legendary.

But there's no denying the charisma, which the New York media devoured like hungry sharks. And there's no denying the talent, which produced at least a share of four American League home run titles, 12 All-Star Game appearances and one MVP (1973). Game 6 of the 1977 World Series was typical Jackson, who had endured a season of feuding with Yankees manager Billy Martin and several teammates, especially catcher Thurman Munson. Jackson dramatically powered a postseason-record-tying three home runs -- on three consecutive pitches -- in a Series-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.