Mr. October Reggie Jackson, who turns 76 on May 18, always offered unique perspective

When asked about my favorite or best interviews in my long career as a journalist, I list two attributes I find in all good subjects: Intelligence and perspective.

The best interviews almost always come from someone who is both smart and is able to see the big picture – not just the touchdowns or trophies, but the consequences and ramifications.

Among those who have been particular favorites are Merlin Olsen, Billie Jean King, Dan Quisenberry, Terry Donahue, Bobby Grich, John Robinson, Pat Haden and one Reginald Martinez Jackson, aka Reg-GIE, Reg-GIE.

I first interviewed Reggie in the spring of 1982 in Palm Springs. The Angels had acquired him with a lofty Gene Autry contract, pegged at nearly $4 million for four years. Although he was 36 at the time, he would go on to reward the Angels by tying for the league lead in home runs (39) and boosting attendance at Anaheim Stadium to a major league best 2.8 million fans.

Reggie agreed to meet me in the bar at the Gene Autry Hotel on Palm Canyon Drive. He was effusive in his praise of Autry, the beloved owner of the team and refused to get in a name-calling dialogue with Yankee boss George Steinbrenner (who later admitted letting Reggie go into free agency was his biggest mistake).

Reggie felt strongly about what he would bring to the team – mostly a winning attitude. He had already been in the postseason nine times in his career (and the Angels would win the AL West twice with him in the lineup).

“Look at our lineup with Rod Carew, Don Baylor, Freddie Lynn, Bobby Grich, Doug DeCinces and Brian Downing. Everyone should be scared of us when we come to town. We should be tough,” said Reggie who would lead the team in infield hits despite his age.

Reggie was always insightful. He knew how important winning was to Autry (75 at the time) and manager Gene Mauch (at 57, he had managed 22 years without winning a pennant).

“I want to win – and we will win – for both these men, they deserve it,” Reggie said.

Both Autry and Mauch had long ties to the desert. Autry, of course, was a long-time resident and Mauch made his home at Sunrise Country Club. Jackson’s college coach at Arizona State, the late Bobby Winkles, also lived here in the desert before passing two years ago.

Jackson hit 18 postseason home runs (to tie Mickey Mantle at the time for the most ever) to earn the nickname Mr. October. He famously hit three in one game against the Dodgers in the ’77 World Series. He’s the only player in history to be named the World Series MVP twice (once with the A’s and once with the Yankees).

Part of what made Reggie such an interesting interview is you never knew what he might say. “I’m the straw that stirs the drink,” he said when signing with the Yankees. He also once said “Sometimes I underestimate the magnitude of me.”

Yes, Reggie Jackson is one of a kind. Happy birthday Mr. October, who turn 76 on May 18.

Pete Donovan is a Palm Desert resident and former Los Angeles Times sports reporter. He can be reached at pwdonovan22@yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Mr. October Reggie Jackson, who turns 76, always offered unique perspective