About Mike Jackson (right-handed pitcher)
Michael Ray Jackson (born December 22, 1964) is an American former professional baseball player whose career spanned 19 seasons, 17 of which were spent in Major League Baseball (MLB). Jackson, a relief pitcher for the majority of his career, compiled a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.42, allowing 451 earned runs off of 983 hits, 127 home runs, and 464 walks while recording 1,006 strikeouts over 1,005 games pitched. Standing 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighing 185 pounds (84 kg), he made his professional debut in 1984 for the minor-league Spartanburg Suns, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. After battling arm injuries in the early 1990s, Jackson reestablished himself as a top relief pitcher for the Reds in 1995 and went on to pitch in the 1997 World Series for the Indians, for whom he then served as the full-time closer in 1998 and 1999. After one-year stints with the Astros, Twins, and White Sox, Jackson retired from baseball in 2005. == Early life == Jackson was born on December 22, 1964, in Houston, Texas. He attended high school at Forest Brook and college at Hill College. == Career == === Philadelphia Phillies (1984–1987) === Jackson entered the Major League Baseball draft in 1983 where he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 29th round. He did not sign with the Phillies, and reentered the draft in 1984 where was again drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the January Secondary amateur draft. Jackson signed a $60,000 contract with the club on April 27, 1984.
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