Page "Reggie Jackson" Paragraph 11

Jackson debuted in the major leagues with the A's on June 9, 1967, a 6 – 0 A's victory over the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland.

Following that season, the Athletics moved to Oakland.

Jackson hit 47 home runs in 1969, and was briefly ahead of the pace that Roger Maris set when he broke the single-season record for home runs with 61 in 1961, and that of Babe Ruth when he set the previous record of 60 in 1927.

Jackson later said that the sportswriters were claiming he was " dating a lady named ' Ruth Maris.

'" That off-season, Jackson sought an increase in salary, and Athletics owner Charlie O. Finley threatened to send Jackson to the minors.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn successfully intervened in their dispute, but Jackson's numbers in 1970 dropped sharply, as he hit just 23 home runs while batting. 237.

The Athletics sent him to play in Puerto Rico.

There he played for the Santurce team and hit 20 homers and knocked in 47 runs to lead the league in both departments.

Jackson hit a memorable home run in the 1971 All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.

Batting for the American League against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis, the ball he hit soared above the right-field stands, striking the transformer of a light standard on the right field roof.

In 1984, he would hit a home run over that roof.