Baseball Roundup : After a Single, Reggie Jackson Calls It a Career

Reggie Jackson has taken his final swing and his final bow.

Jackson singled as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of Oakland’s 9-5 victory over Cleveland Thursday at Oakland and said afterward that his colorful, controversial 20-year career is over.

“This was my last at-bat,” said Jackson, 41. “I’d like to be around next year, but it won’t be as a player.”

Jackson said he is considering a coaching or management role with the club, or possibly investing and becoming a part-owner.

The crowd of 9,846, sensing in the Athletics’ final home game that Jackson’s appearance would be his last, gave him a standing ovation when he left the dugout to warm up in the on-deck circle.

Before batting, Jackson waved his helmet to the crowd as the fans began the familiar chant of “Reggie, Reggie.” After his single up the middle on an 0-and-2 pitch from Ed Vande Berg, Jackson left for a pinch-runner to another ovation. When the crowd persisted for more than a minute, Jackson returned and blew kisses to the fans.

“He’s the only player I’ve ever managed who brought tears to my eyes,” Oakland Manager Tony LaRussa said.

Jackson starred for the A’s in 1968-75, helping them to World Series titles in 1972, ’73 and ’74. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, later made his name as Mr. October with the New York Yankees and played five seasons with the Angels before returning to the A’s this season.

Jackson’s teammates were excited watching him, although Jose Canseco hoped for even more.

Jackson leads active players with 563 homers, sixth on the all-time list.

“It was great that Reggie got a base hit, but I would like to see him go out with a home run,” said Canseco, who hit his 31st homer and drove in four runs for the A’s.

Seattle 8, Texas 6--Mickey Brantley’s three-run homer helped Mike Moore avoid his 20th loss of the season as the Mariners downed the Rangers at Arlington, Tex.

Moore (9-19) could have become the major leagues’ first 20-game loser since Brian Kingman went 8-20 for Oakland in 1980.

Seattle’s Harold Reynolds got his 58th stolen base of the season to break a tie with Willie Wilson for the American League lead.

Boston 7, New York 5--Marty Barrett singled home Spike Owen with the tying run in the eighth inning, and an error by reliever Dave Righetti allowed Ellis Burks to score the winning run as the Red Sox beat the Yankees at New York.

Righetti (8-6) gave up three runs on three hits in the eighth and also surrendered Mike Greenwell’s 19th home run in the ninth.

Boston’s Al Nipper (11-12) pitched a five-hitter for his sixth complete game. He is 4-0 against New York this season.

Houston 6, Atlanta 5--Terry Puhl singled home Ken Caminiti with two out in the ninth inning to lift the Astros to victory over the Braves at Houston.

Atlanta pulled off a rare triple steal in the fourth inning. With Jeff Blauser on first, Ken Oberkfell on second and Gerald Perry on third, Houston catcher Ronn Reynolds threw the ball back to pitcher Danny Darwin just as Perry broke for the plate. Perry slammed into Reynolds, who couldn’t hold the return throw.

Pittsburgh 12, Chicago 3--Doug Drabek won for the ninth time in 11 decisions as the Pirates routed the Cubs at Pittsburgh.

Chicago’s Andre Dawson picked up his 134th run batted in with a ground-out in the ninth.