#90 A.L. Home Run Leaders:

Big change in leaders....Stalwarts Frank Howard and Harmon Killebrew are now also rans....Bill Melton who repeated his total of 1970 which was good for 6th....but in light of a league power outage with his peers surged Melton to an unexpected top spot....back injuries curtailed his playing time in 1972 and his power numbers drained in the rest of his career.....Finding fountain of youth Cash more than doubles his HR total from 1970....no stranger to top 10 finishes, making the mark 9 times...his personal high was 41 in 1961 which in the frenzy of the Maris/Mantle race was only good for 6^th....The future Dean of Home Runs, Reggie Jackson gets the bronze with 31.....Destined to take the AL home run crowns of 1973, 1975, 1980, and 1982....13 times in top 10 home runs....had reached #3 with his personal best total of 47 home runs in 1969.

#435-436 Reggie Jackson

AKA Mr. October....or according to Darryl Knowles “There isn't enough mustard in the whole world to cover that hot dog”...however despite the taunts, overcame great hardships in his youth and over the top noterity that rose in conjunction to his salary...21 seasons most of them controversial....from the beginning....came out of Arizona State baseball factory...drafted #1 by Kansas City A’s...1967 was a tumultuous year, starting out playing in the deep south with occasional call up to the A’s...KC results were poor but get in over 100 at bats....made an impact in the new Oakland digs....29 home runs and establishing himself as the team offensive leader....also career high of 171 strike outs...stepped up his game in 1969....early home run leader....over time caved in to Killebrew and Howard finishing third best figure with 47...had a down year in 1970, the worst until late his career....improved his stats in 1971 but most notable event was memorable all star home run that nearly got out of Tiger Stadium...next significant season 1973, winning dual AL and WS MVPs....finishing up  his first go round in  Oakland 1975, hit 36 home runs....1976 traded to Baltimore on the eve of new season...But Reggie and so many others like were him awaiting the big payday that 1977 would bring....Took the big money for the Big Apple....plus a namesake candy bar....A strong season despite a spotlight of extreme emotions either loving or hating....World Series was where he shined....5 home runs and his second series MVP....Yankees repeated WS win 1978....1980 was probably Reggie’s best year in pinstripes...2^nd in MVP voting....suffered a considerable decline in strike shortened 1981....took the free agency road again....returned to West coast with Angels...responded with solid comeback season 1982....subsequent 4 seasons ranged from poor to average (for Reggie) indicating skills deteriation....finished with one last return to Oakland 1987....in so many top 100 of offensive career records...holds firm to the #1 spot 2597 strikeouts....500 home run club member with a 536 mark...So much more can be said...Say what you will but he only player I’ve seen climb a chain link fence (risking injury) during BP to retrieve a ball for a fan....true story