Jackson went 28-21 with a 3.09 earned run average over three seasons in the Mets' farm system when he received his first September call-up in 1977. He received a no decision in his major league debut against the Montreal Expos, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing three earned runs.[1] All told, he made four starts over the remainder of the season, losing twice to the St. Louis Cardinals.
September call-ups seemed to be a theme in Jackson's Mets career. He spent the following two seasons in the minors, getting a call up in September each time. In 1979, he was used more in relief, and earned his first win against the Cardinals.[2]
He spent roughly half the 1980 season in the majors. On July 19, he pitched his only career complete game victory against the Cincinnati Reds, and notched his only career extra base hit off Charlie Leibrandt.[3] He would lose his next four starts, however, and be moved into the bullpen. On September 13, he earned his first career save against the Chicago Cubs, pitching three innings of one hit ball.[4] During the off season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for infielderBob Bailor.[5]
Toronto Blue Jays
In his first full season in the majors, Jackson was used exclusively in relief. On April 13, he entered in the eighth with the bases loaded and one out against the New York Yankees. He got a double play, then pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save on the season.[6] He was 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA and two saves when a strike interrupted the 1981 season. When play resumed, he proved to be the most reliable arm in managerBobby Mattick's bullpen. He allowed just three runs in 17.2 innings pitched and earned five saves. He led Jays relievers with 62 innings pitched and a 2.61 ERA. His seven saves were second to Joey McLaughlin.
Jackson proved equally dominant in 1982. He pitched the ninth and tenth innings for the win when the second game of the season went into extra innings.[7] On May 30, he and Jim Gott combined on a one hit shutout of the Baltimore Orioles,[8] which coincidentally, also happen to be the first game of Cal Ripken's 2,632 consecutive games played streak. On September 28, Jackson pitched five innings of no hit ball against the Minnesota Twins for his eighth and final victory of the season.[9] All told, he went 8-7 with six saves as a reliever. His 2.55 ERA in 88.1 innings out of the bullpen was far and away the best among Blue Jay relievers. His 97 total innings pitched and 71 strikeouts were career highs.
In 1983, Jackson went a career best 8-3. In 1984, he had a career best ten saves. Both seasons, he led Jays relievers in innings pitched (92 and 86, respectively). Despite these numbers, he was released in Spring training1985.
He went 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA, and won his first start in two years, pitching five innings of two hit ball against his former club, the Mets.[10]
Minnesota Twins
The Padres released Jackson the following spring, and he signed with the Twins. He had one win and one save in his one season in Minnesota. He re-signed with the Brewers in 1987, and made four appearances with the Denver Zephyrs before retiring.
Jackson is also an exceptional singer, and has performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" before ballgames. His 1984 FleerBaseball Card (#158) captures him performing one of the anthems before a game. He is now the pastor of the New Creation Service Center in Opelika.
