1976 Topps #233 - Grant Jackson

• Grant Jackson had a long career for several teams, mostly as a reliever, from 1965-1982. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961 and pitched in their system from 1962-1966. Grant earned a September call-up in 1965 and appeared in six games (1-1, 7.24 ERA). He made two appearances in April 1966 before being sent to the minors for the rest of the season.

• In 1967 Jackson was a reliever and spot starter. He appeared in 43 games (4 starts) and was 2-3 with one save and a 3.84 ERA. Grant had a better season in 1968. He was in 33 games (6 starts) and had a record of 1-6 and an ERA of 2.95.

• Jackson became a starting pitcher in 1969. He was 14-18 with a 3.34 ERA and had 13 complete games in 35 starts. He also was chosen for the NL All Star team, but he didn't pitch in the game. Grant appeared in 35 games (23 starts) in 1970 and slipped to a 5-15 record with an ERA of 5.29. Jackson was traded with two other players to the Baltimore Orioles for Roger Freed after the 1970 season.
  

• During the next five seasons Jackson found a role as a left-handed reliever. His best season for the Orioles was 1973. Grant was 8-0 with nine saves and a 1.90 ERA in 45 games. Here is a June 1974 Baseball Digest about Grant Jackson: An Unheralded Reliever.

• On June 15, 1976 Jackson was involved in a huge trade with the New York Yankees. He was traded with Doyle Alexander, Jimmy Freeman, Ellie Hendricks and Ken Holtzman to the New York Yankees for Rick Dempsey, Tippy Martinez, Rudy May, Scott McGregor and Dave Pagan. Grant finished the 1976 season with the Yankees, where he was 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA for the AL Champs. He wasn't as successful in the 1976 post season. Grant had an 8.10 ERA in the ALCS and a 4.91 ERA in the World Series.

• After the 1976 season Jackson was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft. One month later he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Craig Reynolds and Jimmy Sexton. Grant spent the next 4 1/2 season with the Pirates as a reliever and occasional closer. His best season with Pittsburgh was 1979. He was 8-5 with 14 saves and a 2.96 ERA in 72 games. Grant also won a game in the NLCS and was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the World Series.

• In the middle of the 1981 season Jackson was purchased by the Montreal Expos. He struggled with the Expos and after the season Grant was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Ken Phelps. In 1982 Jackson was 3-1 with a 5.17 ERA in 20 appearances. He was released on July 9 and signed with the Pirates on September 8. Jackson made one appearance for the Pirates and was released after the season.

• According to Ellie Hendricks, Jackson took only about 10 warmup pitches to get ready for a game.

• Liked to face: Joe Morgan (.189 in 67 AB); Richie Hebner (.214 in 28 AB)
• Hated to face: Keith Hernandez (.367, 2 HR in 28 AB); Billy Williams (.367, 2 HR in 30 AB)