Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
Reggie Jackson won the American League MVP in 1973, was the World Series MVP that year also, and followed his remarkable season with another great all round season in 1974. However, prior to the 1975 season, Jackson was seeking $200,000 for the year, but stingy A’s owner Charles Finley presented Jackson with a contract for $140,000, his same salary as a year earlier. They disagreed on the amounts and the decision went to arbitration, where the independent arbitrator chose the teams salary over Jackson’s presented amount. This 1975 season ended up being Reggie’s last in Oakland and this signed contract was the beginning of his end in Oakland. This five page contract, dated February 2, 1975 guarantees “for performance of the Player’s services and promises hereunder the club will pay the player the sum of “One hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000)” written in thin black marker. The final page is signed twice by “Reginald M. Jackson” (in red marker) and “Charles O. Finley” (in black marker) and was also Approved on “Feb, 27, 1975” by the American League President, and signed by “Lee MacPhail, Jr.” below. Reggie did garner single hotel rooms and unlimited hotel expenses while on the road, but the loss of $60,000 as this contract was signed caused his eventual leaving of the Oakland A’s. Two years later Reggie’s aura resuscitated in New York with two more World Series titles and another World Series MVP award in 1977. This is the signed contract which began the domino run culminating in his Mr. October fame. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.