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| Ronnie Jackson, born May 9, 1953. Jackson affectionately and better known as "Ron" or “Papa Jack”, is a hitting coach and former Major League baseball player. Presently he is the hitting coach for the Round Rock Express (Round Rock, Texas) Triple A Affiliate of the Houston Astros. Jackson began playing baseball at the age of seven on the Powderly Hill (Birmingham, Alabama) little league team. He quickly gives credit to his father, the late Thomas Jackson and little league coach, the late Freddy Kennedy for his humble beginnings. Jackson played baseball through elementary, middle school and high school. However in middle school he started playing football. Jackson excelled in both sports and in his senior year, at Wenonah High School (Birmingham, Alabama) passed on the opportunity to play in the Alabama High School All-Star Football Game. Jackson declined many football scholarships offered and made the decision to pursue a career in baseball. Jackson was the California Angels number two draft choice signed by Bob Reasonover in June 1971, behind Frank Tanana. Many fine people were instrumental in the development of Jackson as a player. These include Bob Clear, Tom Sommers, Dave Garcia, Mike Port, Moose Stubing, the late Kenny Myers, Norm Sherry, Roland Hemond, the late Harry Daulton and Larry Hines. Jackson played briefly in the Angels minor league system, which included Idaho Falls, Quad Cities, El Paso, and Salt Lake City. Jackson was called up to the Angels major league team after hitting .281 in 144 games for the Salt Lake City Gulls of the Pacific Coast League. He made his major league debut on September 12, 1975. With the Angels, Jackson hit a career high .297 in 1978. During the 1982 Playoffs with the Angels, Jackson batted .371. From 1975 through 1984, Jackson played primarily first and third base, but he also played the outfield and DH positions during the end of his playing career. Jackson played with the California Angles (1975-78, 1982-84), Minnesota Twins (1979-81), Detroit Tigers (1981) and Baltimore Orioles (1984). Jackson batted and threw right handed. In 1979 Jackson posted personal highs in hits (158), doubles (40), home runs(14),RBI (68) runs (85)and games (153) for Minnesota. In that season, his .9943 fielding percentage at first base broke Rod Carews’ record with the Twins. In Jackson's 10-year career he compiled a .259 batting average with 56 home runs and 342 RBI in 926 games. Jackson enjoyed playing for managers Gene Mauch, Sparky Anderson, Dick Williams, Norm Sherry and Jim Fregosi. Following his retirement as a player, Jackson began his coaching career as a minor league coach with the Chicago White, first as hitting and first base coach with Triple A Vancouver, then as hitting and third base coach at double A Birmingham in 1988, In 1989 Jackson played third base for the Fort Myers Sun Sox, Senior League Baseball Association. Jackson joined the Brewers as their minor league hitting coordinator in 1991, then served as hitting coach at Triple A New Orleans Zephyrs from 1993-95, He was called up to become Chicago White Sox first base coach June 2, 1995. He was named their hitting coach August 16, 1997. In 1999 Jackson became Milwaukee Brewers first base and outfield coach. |
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Jackson joined the Dodgers Triple A clubs in Albuquerque and Las Vegas (2000-02). Jackson spent four seasons with the Boston Red Sox as hitting Coach (2003-06). He was affectionately called “PapaJack” by the players and fans. Because of his extensive community involvement he was named “BoSox Man of the Year” in 2003. Jackson was part of the "the greatest comeback in history", when the team won the 2004 World Series Championship. Under Jackson as hitting coach, the Red Sox set Major League records for: extra-base hits (649), total bases (2832) and slugging percentage (.491) in 2003 *tied the Major League record for doubles in a season (373) in 2004 *led the League in batting average in 2003 * led the league the League in runs scored in 2003,2004, 2005 *led the League in doubles 2003, 2004, 2005* led the League in total bases in 2003, 2004. Jackson is proud to have coached under the following Managers: Terry Bevington, Kent Berry, Tony Franklin, Chris Bando. Jerry Manuel, Phil Garner, Tom Gamboia, Rick Sofield, Brad Mills, Grady Little, Terry Francona, Jackie Moore, Dave Clark and Marc Bombard. Personal Stats: Ronnie "Ron" "PapaJack" Jackson, born May 9, 1953 Birmingham, Alabama. Jackson is married has 5 children and 5 grandchildren. Jackson has 14 brothers and sisters. Two of Jackson's brothers also played professional sports. Demetrice played football with the Washington Redskins, Lawrence (Kenny) was drafted and played with the Chicago White Sox. |
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