Reggie Jackson cites 563 home runs while comparing modern antisemitism to 1960s racism

Reggie Jackson, the 80-year-old Hall of Fame baseball player, posted on social media on Saturday morning to address antisemitism in Pennsylvania. The former New York Yankees star, known as Mr. October, shared a link to the Anti-Defamation League website. The ADL data cited in his post showed an increase in antisemitic incidents across his native state. Jackson was born in Wyncote, a community near Philadelphia.

In his post, Jackson compared the current rise in antisemitic incidents to the racial discrimination he faced as a Black player in the 1960s. He recalled signs in the South declaring that Black people could be refused service. He also remembered separate signs for white and colored bathrooms and drinking fountains. Jackson wrote that he remembers what that hatred looked and felt like, stating that society cannot accept it in any form directed at any people.

Jackson directed a specific message to elected officials and leaders in the Philadelphia area. He asked where the clear statements condemning antisemitism were coming from. He argued that when hateful language is excused or repeated, it makes hostility seem acceptable. This, he said, deepens fear and division. Jackson urged leaders to speak plainly and consistently that antisemitism and hate have no place in their communities.

The player shared specific memories from his time playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. He described walking into restaurants where staff pointed at him and said he could not eat there. He recounted staying at hotels where he was told he could not stay. He also described a welcome-home dinner at a country club owned by former A's owner Charlie Finley, where he was pointed out and excluded. Jackson noted that he relied on teammates Rollie Fingers, Johnny McNamara, Dave Duncan, and Joe and Sharron Rudy for lodging when he was barred from other accommodations.

Jackson’s career included 563 home runs. He earned his nickname Mr. October after hitting three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. That performance secured the championship for the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His recent social media activity highlights his continued engagement with civil rights issues in his home region.

The ADL statistics cited by Jackson indicate a measurable rise in antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania. Jackson’s post serves as a public request for local political leaders to issue definitive statements against the bias. He emphasized the need for clear communication to combat the spread of hate in Philadelphia communities.

Jackson’s comments follow his 2024 appearance at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. That event marked Major League Baseball's inaugural trip to the historic site as a nod to the Negro Leagues. His recent posts connect his personal history in baseball to the current social climate in his home state.