1977 World Series Game 5: Yankees vs Dodgers (Reggie Jackson Three HRs)
One man, three swings, three home runs, and a World Series title sealed in six at-bats.
The 1977 World Series Game 5 stands as one of the most singular performances in baseball history, where New York Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson earned his permanent nickname, 'Mr. October.' Facing elimination against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium, Jackson delivered a historic feat by hitting three home runs on three consecutive pitches in the final two innings, securing a 8-4 victory and clinching the World Series title for the Bronx Bombers.
- Player
- Reggie Jackson
- Team
- New York Yankees
- Opponent
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Venue
- Yankee Stadium (Original)
- Result
- Yankees win Series 4-2
- Performance
- Three Home Runs on three consecutive pitches
Lore & Background
Jackson's performance in this game transcended statistics; it became a cultural touchstone that validated his arrival in pinstripes. After going hitless in Game 4 and struggling earlier in the series, he stepped into the batter's box with the Series on the line. His three home runs against Dodgers pitchers Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa, and Charlie Hough were not just power displays but a psychological dismantling of a formidable pitching staff, silencing critics and cementing his legacy as the ultimate postseason performer.
In Their Own Story
The air in the Bronx was thick with electricity. Reggie Jackson adjusted his helmet, the weight of the moment pressing down on him, yet his stance remained loose. The first pitch from Hooton came in, a fastball he crushed over the left-field wall. Two pitches later, Sosa threw a slider that sailed into the seats in right-center. The stadium seemed to hold its breath as Charlie Hough stepped onto the mound for the final at-bat of the night. Jackson watched the knuckleballer wind up, swung with lethal precision, and sent the ball soaring over the right-field fence. Three swings. Three home runs. Three pitches. As he rounded third base, the roar of the crowd drowned out everything else.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was Game 5 of the 1977 World Series, played on October 18 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. With the Yankees leading the best-of-seven series three games to one against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a victory would secure the championship for New York. The game was tightly contested early on, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the sixth and eighth innings.
Reggie Jackson, who had been criticized throughout the season for his struggles in big moments, stepped up when it mattered most. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he hit a home run off Burt Hooton to give New York a 3-2 lead. Two innings later, with two outs and runners on base, Jackson faced reliever Elias Sosa and launched another solo shot to extend the lead. Finally, in the eighth inning, he faced knuckleballer Charlie Hough and hit his third home run of the night, sealing an 8-4 victory.
This game is remembered not just for the scoreline, but for the sheer improbability of Jackson's feat. No player had ever hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches in a World Series game before or since. It instantly transformed Reggie Jackson from a controversial new arrival into 'Mr. October,' defining the Yankees' return to glory after their long championship drought and establishing one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
Did You Know?
- Reggie Jackson is the only player in World Series history to hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches.
- The three home runs were hit off three different pitchers: Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa, and Charlie Hough.
- Jackson's performance silenced critics who claimed he could not deliver in high-pressure situations, earning him the nickname 'Mr. October'.
- This victory marked the Yankees' 21st World Series title, extending their record for most championships by any franchise.