Danny Jackson was a left-handed pitcher who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his career. He was born on January 5, 1962, in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Aurora Central High School in Colorado. After graduating, he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1982 MLB draft.
Jackson made his MLB debut in 1983 and spent his first four seasons with the Royals. He was a key member of the team's pitching staff and helped them win the American League pennant in 1985. He started two games in the World Series that year, including Game 5, which the Royals won to stay alive in the series. Jackson finished the 1985 postseason with a 1-1 record and a 2.13 ERA.
After the 1986 season, Jackson was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He spent three seasons with the Reds and had some of the best years of his career there. In 1988, he won 23 games and finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting. He also made his first All-Star team that year. In 1990, Jackson helped the Reds win the World Series by winning two games in the postseason, including Game 5 of the World Series against the Oakland Athletics.
Jackson became a free agent after the 1991 season and signed with the Chicago Cubs. He spent two seasons with the Cubs and then played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals over the next few years. He had some success with these teams but was never able to replicate the success he had with the Royals and Reds.
Jackson retired after the 1997 season with a career record of 112-99 and a 3.81 ERA. He was known for his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. He was also a good fielder and won a Gold Glove Award in 1988.
After retiring from baseball, Jackson worked as a pitching coach for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals. He also worked as a television analyst for the Royals and as a radio host in Kansas City.
Overall, Danny Jackson had a successful career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was a key member of two World Series championship teams and was a consistent performer throughout his career. While he may not be remembered as one of the all-time greats, he was a solid player who made a significant impact on the teams he played for.
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