Al Jackson: Original Met Pitcher With A Lifelong Association To the Team (1962-1965 / 1968-1969)
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He was the captain of his baseball & football high school teams in Waco. In high school he tossed three no hitters & was All State for two seasons.
The five-foot ten-inch left hander was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, while attending Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.
In 1959 he was 15-4 at Columbus which got him called up to the big leagues by the end of the season.
In 1956 while pitching in the Mexican League, Jackson went 14-10. He was soon back at A ball Lincoln in 1957 where he won 18 games which got him pushed up to the AAA level.
In 1959 he was 15-4 at Columbus which got him called up to the big leagues by the end of the season. MLB Career: Jackson made his MLB debut pitching two innings of relief on May 3rd, 1959, finishing a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was back in the minors over the next two seasons making three appearances with Pittsburgh in 1961 earning his first career victory.
Mets Career: By 1962, Al Jackson became an original Met when he was chosen in the 1961 expansion draft. He would become one of the most popular & recognizable original Mets having a lifelong association with the team.
Jackson made the starting rotation right away in 1962, getting the start in the third game in Mets history, taking a 6-2 loss to the Pirates at the Polo Grounds.
Mets First Timers:
Al was involved in many firsts for the Mets; on April 29th, he threw the first shutout in the team's history. It was only the Mets third win in their brief history, as Jackson beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-0 at the Polo Grounds. It was an eight hitter, striking out eight & only walking one.
On June 22nd, 1962, he pitched the first one hitter in Mets history, striking out nine Houston Colts in a 2-0 win at the Polo Grounds.
It was a rough season pitching for the ’62 Mets, Jackson finished up at 8-20, leading the team in strikeouts (118) shutouts (4) and ERA (4.40). He was second in the league in losses (20) to team mate Roger Craig who lost 24 games.
It was Jackson's first of his six straight seasons, pitching 200 or more innings. His efforts got him voted to the Topps All Star Rookie team, as he was surely one of the bright spots of a dismal 1962 staff.
On April 20th he got his first win, as he beat the great Warren Spahn & the Milwaukee Braves. He had a good May going 3-1 winning back to back games & tossing two complete games.
In June he was 2-2 even earning a save out of the bull pen. He rebounded after a terrible July where lost six straight decisions to have a strong September finish. That month Jackson won five of six games he pitched, four of them complete game efforts.
He led the club with a career high 13 victories, going 13-17. He also led the team in starts (34) strikeouts (120) innings (236) walks (84) & runs allowed (128). He posted a 3.96 ERA with 11 complete games.
1964: Jackson got the honors for the opening Day start, although he took a loss to the Phillies at Philadelphia. His next outing was another first, as he pitched a fantastic six hit shutout against his old Pirates teammates, in New York.
It came on April 19th in the new Shea Stadium & was the Mets first victory in their new ballpark. At the start of May, Jackson threw a two-hit shutout in Cincinnati, to bring his record to 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA.
He then lost seven straight decisions, not earning another win until he beat the Giants in San Francisco in a relief appearance, at the end of June. He went 3-2 in August, highlighted by a five hitter against the Houston Astros.
1965: It was rough year for Jackson as he went 8-20, third most losses in the league & second on the staff to Jack Fisher (24). Unbelievably his eight wins were tied with Fisher for most victories on the staff.
Jackson also led the team in strikeouts (120) & shut outs (3). His highlights that year were a three hitter against the World Champion Dodgers in June and a two hitter against the Pirates in July, both coming on the road.
Second Time with the Mets: At this point in his career, he was primarily a reliever, and under Gil Hodges in 1968 he made 25 appearances, nine of them starts.
On May 8th, he lost a 2-0 game to Steve Carlton followed up by another 2-0 shutout loss to Dick Kelly & the Atlanta Braves. On June 12th he earned a relief win over Don Drysdale & the Dodgers in Los Angeles, when Jerry Grote singled home J.C. Martin in the 9th inning.
In July he earned two wins, while making starts where he pitched seven innings in both outings. For the year, he was 3-7 with a 3.69 ERA, 59 strike outs 17 walks and three saves in 92 innings. Jackson was a brief member of the 1969 Mets, pitching in only nine games posting a 10.64 ERA with no decisions.
On June 13th his contract was sold to the Cincinnati Reds where he finished his career, missing the Miracle Mets Championship. After all Jacksons good pitching through the losing days of the Mets early history it’s ashamed he couldn’t have been part of the 1969 Championship.
Mets Career: Jackson spent six years combined, making 184 appearances (30th on the Mets all-time list) with 138 starts (16th on the Mets all-time list). He was 43-80 with a 4.26 ERA, 561 strike outs & 304 walks in 980 innings.
Overall is his ten year big league career he was 67-99 with ten saves. He struck out 738 batters walked 407 in 1389 innings, posting a 3.98 ERA. He pitched in 302 games with 54 complete games & 14 shutouts.
Retirement: After his playing days he became a pitching coach with the Boston Red Sox (1977-1979) under his old Mets teammate Don Zimmer. He then coached with the Baltimore Orioles (1989-1991) under Frank Robinson & Johnny Oates.
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He was always with the club during Spring Training & Mets Fantasy Camps. In his later years he resided in Port St. Lucie Florida, home of the Mets Spring Training facility.
He was a pitcher, major league coach, minor league pitching coordinator and front office adviser.
Mets Career: By 1962, Al Jackson became an original Met when he was chosen in the 1961 expansion draft. He would become one of the most popular & recognizable original Mets having a lifelong association with the team.
Jackson made the starting rotation right away in 1962, getting the start in the third game in Mets history, taking a 6-2 loss to the Pirates at the Polo Grounds.
Mets First Timers:
Al was involved in many firsts for the Mets; on April 29th, he threw the first shutout in the team's history. It was only the Mets third win in their brief history, as Jackson beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-0 at the Polo Grounds. It was an eight hitter, striking out eight & only walking one.
On June 22nd, 1962, he pitched the first one hitter in Mets history, striking out nine Houston Colts in a 2-0 win at the Polo Grounds.
The only hit came from future Dodger coach, Joe Amalfitano early on in the 5th inning. In July he beat the St. Louis Cardinals & future Hall of Famer Bib Gibson in a classic 1-0 pitcher's duel at Sportsman's Park.
He closed out August with a three hit shutout, beating the Phillies in Philadelphia in a 2-0 win. Jackson began September with another win, which gave him back to back wins which was very rare for a member of the ’62 staff.
He closed out August with a three hit shutout, beating the Phillies in Philadelphia in a 2-0 win. Jackson began September with another win, which gave him back to back wins which was very rare for a member of the ’62 staff.
It was a rough season pitching for the ’62 Mets, Jackson finished up at 8-20, leading the team in strikeouts (118) shutouts (4) and ERA (4.40). He was second in the league in losses (20) to team mate Roger Craig who lost 24 games. It was Jackson's first of his six straight seasons, pitching 200 or more innings. His efforts got him voted to the Topps All Star Rookie team, as he was surely one of the bright spots of a dismal 1962 staff.
Over the next three seasons he would lead the team (or at least be tied) for the lead in wins.
1963: In 1963 he pitched in the second game of the season, taking a loss as the Mets were shut out by the Cardinals Ray Washburn.
On April 20th he got his first win, as he beat the great Warren Spahn & the Milwaukee Braves. He had a good May going 3-1 winning back to back games & tossing two complete games. In June he was 2-2 even earning a save out of the bull pen. He rebounded after a terrible July where lost six straight decisions to have a strong September finish. That month Jackson won five of six games he pitched, four of them complete game efforts.
He led the club with a career high 13 victories, going 13-17. He also led the team in starts (34) strikeouts (120) innings (236) walks (84) & runs allowed (128). He posted a 3.96 ERA with 11 complete games.
1964: Jackson got the honors for the opening Day start, although he took a loss to the Phillies at Philadelphia. His next outing was another first, as he pitched a fantastic six hit shutout against his old Pirates teammates, in New York.
It came on April 19th in the new Shea Stadium & was the Mets first victory in their new ballpark. At the start of May, Jackson threw a two-hit shutout in Cincinnati, to bring his record to 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA.
He then lost seven straight decisions, not earning another win until he beat the Giants in San Francisco in a relief appearance, at the end of June. He went 3-2 in August, highlighted by a five hitter against the Houston Astros.Jackson was 3-3 in September which included another 1-0 pitching duel victory over the Cards & Bob Gibson, on the next to last day of the season. Gibson went on to win three World Series games that year as the Cards took the Championship title.
Jackson finished the 1964 season, leading the team in wins (11) going 11-16 & complete games (11). He posted a 4.26 ERA, striking out 112 batters in 213 innings pitched & had three shut outs (10th in the league).
In his first four seasons in the Mets' rotation, he had 41 complete games, ten shutouts, and 43 victories which were all franchise records, until Tom Seaver came around.
Jackson finished the 1964 season, leading the team in wins (11) going 11-16 & complete games (11). He posted a 4.26 ERA, striking out 112 batters in 213 innings pitched & had three shut outs (10th in the league).
In his first four seasons in the Mets' rotation, he had 41 complete games, ten shutouts, and 43 victories which were all franchise records, until Tom Seaver came around.
1965: It was rough year for Jackson as he went 8-20, third most losses in the league & second on the staff to Jack Fisher (24). Unbelievably his eight wins were tied with Fisher for most victories on the staff. Jackson also led the team in strikeouts (120) & shut outs (3). His highlights that year were a three hitter against the World Champion Dodgers in June and a two hitter against the Pirates in July, both coming on the road.
In 1966 he was traded along with Charley Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals for veteran third baseman Ken Boyer.
In St. Louis, Jackson posted the sixth best ERA in the league (2.51) while tying a career best 13 victories (13- 15). He threw a career best 232 innings while striking out 90 batters and pitching eleven complete games & three shutouts.
The next season he was used in the bullpen going 9-4 with a save and a 3.95 ERA. That year the Cardinals won the World Series but Jackson didn’t see any post season play. By 1968 he was traded back to the Mets in exchange for Jack Lamabe.
In St. Louis, Jackson posted the sixth best ERA in the league (2.51) while tying a career best 13 victories (13- 15). He threw a career best 232 innings while striking out 90 batters and pitching eleven complete games & three shutouts.
The next season he was used in the bullpen going 9-4 with a save and a 3.95 ERA. That year the Cardinals won the World Series but Jackson didn’t see any post season play. By 1968 he was traded back to the Mets in exchange for Jack Lamabe.
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| Mrs. Nadine Jackson |
On May 8th, he lost a 2-0 game to Steve Carlton followed up by another 2-0 shutout loss to Dick Kelly & the Atlanta Braves. On June 12th he earned a relief win over Don Drysdale & the Dodgers in Los Angeles, when Jerry Grote singled home J.C. Martin in the 9th inning.
In July he earned two wins, while making starts where he pitched seven innings in both outings. For the year, he was 3-7 with a 3.69 ERA, 59 strike outs 17 walks and three saves in 92 innings. Jackson was a brief member of the 1969 Mets, pitching in only nine games posting a 10.64 ERA with no decisions.
On June 13th his contract was sold to the Cincinnati Reds where he finished his career, missing the Miracle Mets Championship. After all Jacksons good pitching through the losing days of the Mets early history it’s ashamed he couldn’t have been part of the 1969 Championship.
Mets Career: Jackson spent six years combined, making 184 appearances (30th on the Mets all-time list) with 138 starts (16th on the Mets all-time list). He was 43-80 with a 4.26 ERA, 561 strike outs & 304 walks in 980 innings.
Overall is his ten year big league career he was 67-99 with ten saves. He struck out 738 batters walked 407 in 1389 innings, posting a 3.98 ERA. He pitched in 302 games with 54 complete games & 14 shutouts.
Retirement: After his playing days he became a pitching coach with the Boston Red Sox (1977-1979) under his old Mets teammate Don Zimmer. He then coached with the Baltimore Orioles (1989-1991) under Frank Robinson & Johnny Oates.
Through the years he had been a longtime employee in the Mets organization at various levels, including bull pen coach, Spring Training & long-time minor-league instructor, as well as big league coach
In 1999 & 2000 he was a Mets coach at the big-league level under Bobby Valentine in back-to-back playoff seasons.
Honors: Jackson was on hand for the closing ceremonies of Shea Stadium in 2008 as well as the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Championship team in 2009.
Honors: Jackson was on hand for the closing ceremonies of Shea Stadium in 2008 as well as the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Championship team in 2009.
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He was always with the club during Spring Training & Mets Fantasy Camps. In his later years he resided in Port St. Lucie Florida, home of the Mets Spring Training facility.In 2013 he was on hand for Mike Piazza Day as he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.
Family: Al & his long-time wife Nadine, have two sons together & two grandsons. Al & Nadine were very active in their Church for many years.
In the 2015 Mets NL Championship season, Jackson threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field.
Family: Al & his long-time wife Nadine, have two sons together & two grandsons. Al & Nadine were very active in their Church for many years.
In the 2015 Mets NL Championship season, Jackson threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field.
Health Issues & Passing: Later that year he suffered a stroke & his health slowly went downhill. In August of 2019, Al passed away at a Nursing home facility in Port St. Lucie Florida. He was 80 years old.
The Mets issued the following statement: “We are saddened to hear about the passing of Al Jackson, an original Met, who spent 50 years in a New York Met uniform.
He was a pitcher, major league coach, minor league pitching coordinator and front office adviser. It would be impossible to calculate the number of players and staff he touched and influenced during his career. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Nadine, his sons Reggie and Barry and grandchildren, Wesley and Kyle.’’
Ed Kranepool was a six-year teammate with Jackson in the sixties. They socialized off the field & played basketball together in the off season. He said upon Al's passing
Quotes- Ed Kranepool: "He was a great competitor. He was in games at the end because he did so many things well. He was such a nice guy, You can't find a negative thing to say about Al Jackson".
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