By John Klima
December 11, 2008
Klimaink.com
Reggie Jackson has always considered himself a businessman first, an
investor of shrewd quality who was ahead of his years in terms of how
to best make money off his name. His pitch was as aggressive as his
swing, and in this forum he rarely struck out.
Reggie yanked one fair again, this time using his dual Northern
California and New York ties to help the Yankees secure a free-agent
acquisition every bit as powerful, meaningful and influential as he
was 32 years ago when he signed with the Yankees for the ghastly sum
of $3 million over five years.
The guy with the briefcase marked "JAX 44" reportedly visited CC
Sabathia on a recruiting visit before Brian Cashman swooped in to sign
him this week to a seven-year, $161 million deal. Signed in the worst
recession in decades and among whispers that teams are going to use
the economy to lowball free agents, Jackson seems to have effectively
foot soldiered for the Steinbrenner family.
Nobody knows exactly what Jackson told Sabathia, but it's a good bet
that the sales pitch went something like this.
"New York did a lot for me. The notoriety and the financial security I
have are due largely to New York. It gave me a big assist. It was not
easy; it was emotionally tough."
"But it also was very exciting and very gratifying. It fulfilled my
career and other needs. I had a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have
had. I got a tremendous education living in the city, dealing with the
people and the press. It helped me find out what kind of man I was
under pressure. I probably learned and understood my breaking point."
Those comments were attributed to Jackson in the January 17, 1988 New
York Times, when Jackson was contemplating finishing his playing
career in Japan. He wondered if his diminishing bat speed would find
more fastballs than when he connected for 15 home runs as a part-time
player with the Oakland A's in 1987, his final major league season.
There are similarities between what Jackson said when looking back at
his career to what Sabathia had to consider when looking ahead to the
remainder of his.
Jackson signed with the Yankees on Nov. 29, 1976, when he was 30,
saying at his press conference, "Other teams offered me more money
than the Yankees…some clubs offered me several hundred thousand more,
even seven figures more, but George Steinbrenner out hustled everyone
else."
The team Jackson turned down was the Montreal Expos, who offered $4
million. So instead of joining an outfield that would have included
Andre Dawson and Ellis Valentine, and a lineup featuring catcher Gary
Carter and first baseman Tony Perez, Jackson went to New York and
built his legacy every bit as much as he contributed to
Steinbrenner's.
We can only imagine what would have happened to the Expos had Reggie
showed up. Maybe Dawson would be a Hall of Famer now. Maybe
Dawson's price would have risen and he would have left sooner, his
knees lasting longer, his Hall of Fame selection more secure.
Instead, Jackson followed the money to New York, where things like
candy bars, endorsements, and TV spots followed him like his midnight
posse to Studio 54.
Sabathia's personality is every bit as large as Jackson's was, but in
a different way.
Jackson's ego was already runaway and rogue when he signed on the
pinstriped line.
Sabathia has the reputation of a gentle giant.
But playing in New York changes people, as Jackson pointed out.
Sabathia seems to have sensed this all on his own. There is every
indication that this decision for Sabathia was, as Jackson called it,
"emotionally tough."
Jackson's 1988 perspective is telling and readily applies to Sabathia.
Both were proven stars. Jackson, though, had hardware from his time in
Oakland.
Sabathia never played on the best dynasty of his generation, but now
he will be asked to start one anew, just as Jackson was.
Jackson said he found out what he was made of in New York, and believe
it or not, he said the answer was not money, but manhood. The same
will be true for Sabathia. The gentle giant must not let down the
Lilliputians, or there will be hell to pay. Sabathia, too, will learn
his breaking point and must master everything he has. Money cannot
necessarily buy sanity.
As George Steinbrenner said about Jackson in 1976, "(He) is made for
this town. He vibrates. He has charisma. He is the kind of guy who
makes things happen." Sabathia must be the same kind of player, or his
legacy will not be as kind to him as it has been to the Steinbrenner
family's favorite corporate headhunter.
John@Klimaink.com
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