Reggie Jackson: Ex-player opinions weren’t valued with Yankees

Reggie Jackson is known for hitting shots in October. On Sunday, he took one at the Yankees.

Jackson appeared on Fox Sports’ pregame show before the Astros and Rangers squared off in Game 6 of the ALCS. Jackson, a special adviser to the Astros since 2021, joined a panel that included ex-Yankees Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, as well as Red Sox icon David Ortiz.

During their conversation, Rodriguez asked Jackson about the biggest differences between the Yankees and Astros organizations. Jackson starred for the Bombers from 1977-1981, and he held an advisory role in New York before Houston owner Jim Crane offered him a similar job.

“Whether you’re Derek Jeter or whether you’re Alex or Reggie or Andy Pettitte or Bernie Williams or Mariano Rivera, your voice isn’t heard,” Jackson said in response to A-Rod’s question. “You don’t participate. I walked away because I wanted to be involved and leave my knowledge in the game.

“We didn’t get a chance to be involved in some of the say-so, and our opinions didn’t really get valued.”

While Pettitte rejoined the Yankees as an adviser this past season, Sunday was not the first time Jackson took issue with the amount of input ex-players have in the Bronx.

In Prime Video’s recent documentary, “Reggie,” Jackson claimed that the death of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the rise of analytics contributed to Mr. October falling out of favor.

“I spoke out too much,” Jackson said in the doc. “I spoke my mind too much. I wasn’t just glad to be there.”

Jackson added that he felt like a “hood ornament” with the Yankees. He said he’s “part of the mix” in Houston, where diversity has been a focus for the 77-year-old Jackson.

Jackson’s most recent comments came at a time when the Yankees are being scrutinized from the inside and out for the way they use analytics. The organization has also brought in more people with playing and scouting experience over the last year. That group includes Pettitte, second-half hitting coach Sean Casey, and advisors Omar Minaya and Brian Sabean.

Jackson, meanwhile, sounds perfectly happy with his job in Houston, where Crane also consults former players like Astros greats Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio.

“My times with the Yankees were great, and I just hope to keep enjoying – I love it here,” Jackson said on Fox. “I work with a great guy. Baseball’s still very good to me.”