Meggie: 'Mr. October' was busy in July, too
Famous for his World Series success, Jackson was a 14-time All-Star
He's just finished signing autographs with renowned 3-D artist Charles Fazzino, who's selling prints and originals of his own work.
Fans clutch their freshly inked prints honoring "Mr. October." But they could just as well have called him "Mr. July."
It's understandable why everyone in the New York crowd wants a piece of Jackson. As a 23-year-old sunglass-wearing phenom in 1969, he was voted in to play center field by his fellow players -- the likes of which included legends such as Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, and Carl Yastrzemski.
And two years later, in 1971, Jackson made history with what is considered to be one of the longest home runs ever hit.
Jackson, who was pinch-hitting for A's teammate Vida Blue in the third inning, ripped a dinger off Dock Ellis that was still rising when it hit a light tower at Tiger Stadium.
Later, scientists at Wayne State University said the ball would've traveled 650 feet had it not collided with the light tower.
"It was just an exciting time, one of my most memorable times," Jackson recalled. "Great players were there, like Mays and [Hank] Aaron and others. I think there were [21] Hall of Famers in that game, so that was a special moment for me."
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.