Danny Jackson

Danny Lynn Jackson

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 205 lb.
• School Trinidad State Junior College, University of Oklahoma
• High School Aurora Central High School
• Debut September 11, 1983
• Final Game August 7, 1997
• Born January 5, 1962 in San Antonio, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Danny Jackson was signed after being selected in the secondary phase of the 1982 amateur draft by the Kansas City Royals and scout Al Kubski. He was fast-tracked through the minors, in no small part due to a sparkling 17-3 record in a 1982 season split between the Charleston Royals and Jacksonville Suns. By 1983 he got a September call-up with the Royals, earning a victory in his big league debut on September 11th as he pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief against the Minnesota Twins. Jackson finished 1983 with a 1-1 record and a 5.21 ERA over 19 innings pitched. He pitched both in the minors and for the Royals in 1984, going 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA over 15 games in the bigs.

Then came 1985, a breakout year for the 23-year old Jackson and the Royals. He found himself part of a solid young starting rotation that also included Bud Black, Mark Gubicza, Charlie Leibrandt and Bret Saberhagen. He went 14-12 with a 3.42 ERA as the five starters combined for 75 wins and propelled Kansas City to the postseason and an eventual World Series victory. Jackson was highly effective in the playoffs, twirling a complete game shutout in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays and gaining a complete game victory in Game 5 of the World Series, surrendering only one run to the St. Louis Cardinals. He also struck out the side (Terry Pendleton, Tom Nieto, and Brian Harper) on nine pitches in the 7th inning of that Game 5.

Jackson remained in the Royals rotation in both 1986 (11-12 record with a 3.20 ERA) and 1987 (9-18, 4.02 ERA). Kansas City fell back in American League standings both years mainly due to poor hitting. With an excess of pitching, the Royals worked out an after-season trade with the Cincinnati Reds. The Royals dealt Jackson along with SS Angel Salazar, getting P Ted Power and IF Kurt Stillwell from the Reds in return.

Jackson paid immediate dividends for the Reds in 1988, sporting a 23-8 record to go with a 2.73 ERA. His 23 wins and 15 complete games led the National League. He had plenty of highlights that year. He made his first All-Star selection although he didn't appear in the game. He finished 2nd in the Cy Young Award voting behind Orel Hershiser. He was red hot in August; over four consecutive starts during the month he went complete game shutout, complete game win with 1 run allowed, complete game win with 1 run allowed, and complete game shutout. He was part of the Reds team that won the 1990 World Series in an upset over the Oakland Athletics. He went 6-6, 3.61 that season and started Game 3 of the World Series, which Cincinnati won in 10 innings.

His major league career continued until 1997, with stints with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. He pitched in his third World Series, with a third different club, with the Phillies in 1993, but ended up on the losing side, then followed that with a great season in 1994 when he was 14-6, 3.26 in 25 starts for the Phillies. He finished tied for third for wins in the National League, two behind co-leaders Ken Hill and Greg Maddux in that strike-shortened season. In marked contrast, he fell to 2-12, 5.90 with the Cardinals in 1995 and only won three games in his final two seasons.

Jackson's brother, Mike Jackson, was drafted by the Kansas City Kings in the 4th round of the 1983 NBA draft.[1]

Notable Achievements

• 2-time NL All-Star (1988 & 1994)
• NL Wins Leader (1988)
• NL Complete Games Leader (1988)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1988)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1988)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1985, 1987, 1988, 1992 & 1993)
• Won two World Series with the Kansas City Royals (1985) and the Cincinnati Reds (1990)

Related Sites

• Danny Jackson at the SABR Bio Project