Original Mets Pitcher From Waco, Al Jackson, Passes Away At 83
NEW YORK (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Waco, Texas native Al Jackson, a tough left-hander who provided a rare glint of hope in the early days of the woebegone New York Mets, has died at 83.
His death was announced by the Mets, for whom he worked for 50 years as a pitcher, major league coach, minor league pitching coordinator and front-office adviser.
He died Monday at a nursing home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after a long illness.
The team tweeted, "RIP to original Met, Al Jackson, who passed away earlier today."
Jackson pitched in the majors for 10 seasons, and no season was more challenging than the one in 1962 when the expansion Mets entered the majors and lost 120 games. "Little" Al Jackson, although he was 5-foot-10, had a record of 8-20 and 4.40 ERA. The next two years he went 13-17 and 11-16.
Jackson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966 for Ken Boyer. He joined the majors with Pittsburgh in 1959 and for his career went 67-99 with a 3.98 ERA. He later was pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Nadine, sons Reggie and Barry and two grandchildren.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
