Yankees Reportedly Force Reggie Jackson Away from Team for A-Rod Comments
The New York Yankees are angry with Reggie Jackson.
The MVP of the 1977 World Series has been ultra-critical of Alex Rodriguez and others recently, and has now been told to keep his distance from team events indefinitely, according to sources speaking with ESPNโs Buster Olney.
Jackson, currently a special adviser to the Yankees, recently blasted Rodriguezย in Sports Illustrated with comments regarding his past use of PEDs:
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"Alโs a very good friend. But I think there are real questions about his numbers. As much as I like him, what he admitted about his (performance-enhancing drug) usage does cloud some of his records.
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He wasnโt in Boston for the Yankees' last series of the first half, and there is no timetable for when the organization will allow him to return.
His comments are something plenty of other former ballplayers surely feel, but this is the Yankees we are talking about. They donโt operate like a normal club, and punishment will be swift for anybody who speaks out about the pinstripes.
What makes the move more justifiable from the Yankees' perspective is the fact Jackson is currently working for the team. While he wonโt be fired as a special adviser, itโs probably a good idea to let him stay under the radar for a while until the heat dies down.
ESPNNewYork.com reported that Jackson offered up his apologies to Rodriguez and the Yankees brass on Friday, but apparently, it wasnโt enough.
In the same SI article, Jackson said Kirby Puckett, Gary Carter, Jim Rice, Don Sutton, Phil Niekro and Bert Blyleven do not belong in the Hall of Fame.
Mr. October has always been incredibly outspoken, and this past week is just the latest example. While Jackson may be forced to lay low for the foreseeable future, surely this wonโt be the last outlandish comment he ever makes.
