Reggie Jackson Becomes Mr. October

On October 18, 1977, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive swings against three different Dodger pitchers in Game 6 of the World Series. The Yankees won 8-4, clinching the championship in six games, and Jackson earned a nickname that would follow him forever.

His first home run came in the fourth inning off starter Burt Hooton, a two-run shot to right field. In the fifth, he pulled a line drive into the right field seats off reliever Elias Sosa, again on the first pitch. In the eighth, he launched a towering blast off knuckleballer Charlie Hough into the center field bleachers at Yankee Stadium, again on the first pitch. Three at-bats, three swings, three home runs.

Jackson had also homered in his final at-bat of Game 5, giving him four home runs on four consecutive swings across two games. He finished the Series with five home runs total, a record 25 total bases, a .450 batting average, and the MVP award.

The performance came after a turbulent first season in New York. Jackson had signed as a free agent the previous November for $2.96 million over five years. His relationship with manager Billy Martin was combustible. The two nearly came to blows in the dugout during a nationally televised game in June. Teammates found Jackson's ego difficult.

None of that survived October 18. Three swings turned a contentious season into a coronation. Thurman Munson, who had feuded with Jackson all year, was the first player to push him out of the dugout for a curtain call after the third homer. The Bronx was shaking.

Jackson finished his career with 563 regular-season home runs, but those three in a single October night defined him.