Reggie Jackson He has a blue Sharpie and a ballpoint pen in his left hand.
As eager fans approach for his autograph, Reggie Jackson simply shifts for
the proper pen: Sharpie for cards and flats, ballpoint for balls, etc.
If a separate pen is Jackson has, you can clearly see, mastered the signing routine. "I'm not really amazed," at the autograph craze, "because I too like autographs," said Jackson, now 51. "There are some guys who would be important for me to have their autograph because of what they stood for as an athlete, as a person. Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron ... what they mean to society, what they mean to success, what they mean to sacrifice, what they mean to discipline, what they mean to an ability to stick to something with all your ability, what they mean to the American culture. "Jimmy Brown has a lot of meaning to me as football player, as a person. His fight for black equality. Also: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax and Johnny Unitas. When I was a kid, everyone wanted to be (like) Johnny U. It was high-tops and No. 19. I see Johnny today, and I know he's over 60-years-old; he looks good; he's got a full head of hair; he's a nice guy; he smiles. He makes me feel good. I'd like to have his autograph at my house so I can tell my kid who he is; that's important to me. It's not so much that I paid for the autograph or the money that it's worth, but rather the fact that I can tell someone who he was, what he stood for; that's what an autograph is to me." Jackson added: "Nolan Ryan stands for tenure and strikeouts. Pete Rosestands for the most hits of anyone in the history of baseball. That's why autographs are important to me, so I can tell my kids what these people did, how they went about their business." Jackson had a signature from Satchel Paige, but it was destroyed in a fire; it was one of his most treasured. The most meaningful autograph he now has is Jackie Robinson. "I have a Martin Luther King autograph and that means a lot to me, but the Jackie Robinson autograph has higher value because I am more directly-associated with it," said Jackson, who also has autographs from Ruth, John F. Kennedy and Charles O. Finley, among others. "I'd like to have an autograph of Abraham Lincoln and Arnold Palmer. I think Arnold Palmer is a great American. He changed the game of golf. He's got an enormous following (among) the American people. He's always been gentle. He's always stood for something that is kind, genuine, important. He is a person of great character. I don't have an Arnold Palmer autograph, but I want one, because of what he stands for." What about Jackson autographs. Want one? Or two? Or three? Or more? No problem. Jackson has returned to the show scene on a more regular basis these days. He will attend about six shows this year, which included the National Sports Collectors Convention this past August in Cleveland. His next appearance is Oct. 18, at the Tri-Star Collectors Show in Kansas City. (For more information on the Kansas City show, including Jackson's appearance time, call 713-840-7827.) Plus, Jackson will fulfill all by-mail requests sent to the address below with a minimum of a $20 donation to the Mr. October Foundation For Kids. Ah yes, Jackson's new Foundation, a way to create educational opportunities for the disadvantaged, for the under-privileged. "What I'm doing is, turning my autograph into money,
then taking all of the money and putting it into the building. I'm
doing over $500,000 worth of re-modeling on an 18,000-square-foot building,
so, I am trying to raise half of The Foundation is based in Monterrey, Calif., and "hopefully," Jackson said, it will expand into a national program. "I recognize that the word 'under-privileged' does not have a direct correlation to skin-color. Anyone, from any walk of life, can be under- privileged, disadvantaged, less-fortunate. You don't have to be a 'minority,' in the connotative meaning of the word, to be under-privileged," Jackson said. "We've got some great people involved, some educators ... I'm really looking forward to the Foundation.," which will include classrooms, computer stations, offices, baseball and sports memorabilia, etc. Jackson is the Foundation's Chairman of the Board. He developed its mission statement. "I can afford to give back; that's why I'm doing this," Jackson said. "I don't have as much money as I'd like to give to the Foundation, so I certainly need some help. I think I have a large enough voice to express that, to be able to get financial assistance so people will give of their time, will give from their heart. "I want to be able to assist the young people in need, in hopes of improving our country. My dream for this Foundation would be to provide thousands of children (with) additional educational opportunities. I also hope to have a large enough voice through the Internet, through all electronic communication, to be able to talk to kids about how to become a good citizen in life, how to become a successful contributor to society. That's the ultimate goal, so the kids involved (with The Foundation) will be an asset to society." Jackson said he will use every cent earned this year on the card show circuit toward The Foundation, whereas, in the past, "I've taken the money and bought something for myself, paid a bill, or simply enjoyed the money." Jackson still receives about 250 fan mail letters per week. He's slow, often several months behind, but he will reply. Eventually, he stressed. Jackson made his card debut in 1969, on Topps #260. It now sells for about $500. Since, he has appeared on hundreds, from all makers. "I'm not completely amazed by the card (craze), other than the great heights in value (cards attained) in the late-1980s, early-1990s," Jackson said. "But then the companies prostituted the market and abused the collecting aspect. I think there were some individuals in the industry who abused it, fabricated excitement, fabricated rarity. I think there are some people who hurt collecting a great deal, and that's tragic. Those who hurt collecting didn't respect it, didn't really know what it meant, didn't appreciate the uniqueness of the people who made it important ... the people like Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken, Jr., and so on. "There were a lot of people who were in (the card
industry) to only take money out of it. From the people who bought
Marvel to the people at Upper Jackson, though, praised the tradition of Topps. "They were quite a bit behind the times, and probably
still are, but I think Jackson, in fact, will sign 2,000 cards for Donruss later
this year and the "I don't know how fair it is for me to say anything about Upper Deck because I don't have a lot of respect for them," Jackson said. Do you regret your time at Upper Deck, where you were one of the company's highest-ranking executives? "No ... it was a fabulous industry that I really enjoyed, and still do. Plus, it kept me near sports. I met a lot of good people there, a lot of wonderful people. There's only really one person there (at Upper Deck) who effected the market, destroyed the market, was selfish and insensitive. Other than that, I enjoyed my time there. "The technology there (at Upper Deck) and the people
in the creative WRITER'S NOTE: Reggie requested all autograph requests be sent to him in care of: The Mr. October Foundation For Kids, 305 Amador, Seaside, CA 93955. Please remember to include an SASE and a minimum $20 donation. |