Reggie Jackson documentary explores legend's life, racism and baseball: 'So much work to do'

WEST PALM BEACH – Written into the very foundation of the baseball annals, Reggie Jackson’s name is, to many, larger than life. And now, baseball fans will have the opportunity to hear the legend’s story in his own words.

The documentary, “Reggie,” tells the story of his career, both on and off the field – both the highest of highs and the obstacles that accompanied an era dominated by a volatile political and racial landscape throughout the country.

Thrust into the role of a trailblazer, the home-run superstar took a trip down memory lane last weekend at a packed Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, watching alongside fans as the stadium broadcasted the trailer for his documentary, set to debut on Amazon Prime on Friday.

His story is of baseball, of power, speed, and astonishing longevity. But it is also of inspiration, of adversity, and in the hope for a better tomorrow – the work that is yet to be done.

More:Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson pulls no punches in documentary exploring his life, legacy

1. For Jackson, equity in sports requires minority leadership

While “Reggie” will undoubtedly shine a spotlight on aspects of Jackson’s life previously kept to his inner circle, a large part of the slugger’s mission statement is to lift a veil from the difficulties he and other minorities in the sport faced.

“While it has changed some, if it needs to change 100 percent, it’s probably changed 15 to 20 percent,” Jackson said. “There is so much more to do. So much work to do when it comes to leveling the playing field.”

Equity in baseball has made strides through programs such as Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, which seeks to increase urban and inner-city youth participation in baseball, but numbers don’t lie – and the numbers say that black participation was higher in the 1980s than it is today.

Part of the problem, Jackson says, is that minorities simply don’t see people like them in leadership roles.

“I think that if black athletes had more black faces to see in the front office part of the game, they would have a better relationship or a better understanding of wanting to play baseball,” Jackson said. “When you don’t see black folks in managing positions and very few in executive positions, you lose your taste and you lose your desire to want to participate because you don’t see you.”

The late Hank Aaron, who makes an important appearance in “Reggie,” shared much of the same opinion with his friend when they spoke on the subject.

“Hank, he said to me, ‘Reggie, it almost seems like our black skin is a curse,’” Jackson recalled. “To hear that from a guy who at the time was 86 years old broke my heart. I know that my dear friends like Bob Gibson, Frank Robinson, Henry Aaron, William McCovey, Ernie Banks that have passed on, died upset. I think a lot of those guys were sad or brokenhearted when they passed on.”

Jackson, in his own humble fashion, denies calling himself a pioneer – but his humility does little to conceal the obstacles he’s overcome and the difference that he’s made.

“I don’t call myself a trailblazer,” he said. “I consider myself a guy that cares about the underserved, that cares about people that don’t have, that cares about people that need a chance.”

2. World Baseball Classic an honor – but a risky one

The World Baseball Classic, pitting countries’ top stars against one another in a competition of passion, skill, and camaraderie, has become a topic of great discussion in recent weeks.

Though the Classic, at a glimpse, represents much of what the beautiful game of baseball stands for, a few unfortunate injuries have some fans and pundits arguing over whether an exhibition-style competition is truly warranted while much of the baseball world warms up through spring training.

Mets closer Edwin Diaz was injured in a celebration and will likely miss the season in its entirety. Jose Altuve fractured a thumb when hit by a pitch and will need surgery.

“You want to play for your country, which I understand, but the chance of some of the players that are playing in the World Baseball Classic, guys like Trout and all those great players, Tatis, Machado . . . I just worry about the injuries,” Jackson said.

The legend suggested that the arms of pitchers are of particular concern, given that the pitching staffs haven’t yet been able to fully stretch out at this time of the season.

In saying so, Jackson expressed that the timing of the competition might be the biggest issue.

“I get concerned about someone getting injured, getting hurt, because you’re going to bust it when you want to win,” Jackson said. “You’re going to reach back for more. You’re going to stretch yourself out on a play when maybe you’re not quite ready to go full blast. The pressure of wanting to win and the instinct of players wanting to win, for me . . . I think it's at the wrong time of the year.”

3. Jackson to struggling ballplayers: ‘Stick with it and stay at it’

The former Athletics and Yankees slugger’s stats virtually pop off the page, as does his long list of accolades.

A 14-time American League All-Star, Jackson blasted 563 career home-runs, bringing home the Silver Slugger Award twice and American League Most Valuable Player recognition in 1973.

The two World Series MVP Awards go hand-in-hand with his nickname, “Mr. October,” a moniker that honored the outlandish numbers that Jackson put up at the dish when the lights shined brightest.

Accordingly, his friend circle was filled with similar company.

Hank Aaron, a dynamic hitter and pioneer in his own right, rarely struck out. Jackson recalled a story in which Aaron, following a day in which he struck out three times in a game, lamented to his wife that it would never happen again.

“It came to pass,” Jackson said, and one might have imagined a twinkle in his eye.

“I swung and missed a lot, that’s for sure,” Jackson said. “I said to Hank, ‘you’re very high on my list because I can’t say that at all.’”

Coming with the territory of a 21-year career, Jackson also owns the record for most strikeouts in baseball history, a trivia fact that the slugger uses to his advantage in his inspirational words for young ballplayers.

“I played 21 years and I struck out 2597 times,” he said. “You get, on average, about 500 at-bats a year. All you kids out there that want to play baseball and think you’re going to struggle, I want you to know that for five years, I struck out. I didn’t touch the ball for five years. Stick with it and stay at it.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Reggie Jackson documentary explores legend's life, racism and baseball