Travis Jackson
| Birthdate | 11/2/1903 |
| Death Date | 7/27/1987 |
| Debut Year | 1922 |
| Year of Induction | 1982 |
| Teams | Giants |
| Positions | Shortstop, Third Base |
A defensive-minded shortstop, Travis Jackson anchored the New York Giants infield from 1922-1936 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in ’82.
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Travis Jackson received MVP votes in 7 seasons; he played in 4 World Series
Travis Jackson received MVP votes in 7 seasons; he played in 4 World Series
Signed by John McGraw as an 18-year old in 1922, Travis Jackson made his big league debut before he was old enough to vote. The following season he played in 96 games, splitting time between shortstop and third base. A key reserve for the pennant-winning Giants, the sure-handed Jackson hit .275.
McGraw thought enough of his young player to trade away starting shortstop and future Hall of Famer Dave Bancroft after the ’23 season. The move paid immediate dividends. Jackson hit .302 with 11 homers and 76 RBI to help push New York back to the World series.
Though they dropped to Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators, Jackson established himself as a star. For the ten-year period from 1923-1932 Jackson hit an even .300. By the time his playing career ended in 1936, Jackson had received MVP votes in 7 of his 15 seasons. A lifelong member of the Giants, he played in four Fall Classics, earning a World Series ring in 1933.
After the Giants released him at the conclusion of the 1936 World Series, Jackson remained in the game as a coach and minor league manager. He left the game for good in 1960.
Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Shown here is Travis Jackson’s baseball card from the iconic 1933 Goudey Gum Company. Jackson has boldly signed the center of the card.
Because of injury & illness, Jackson played in 140+ games just four times
Because of injury & illness, Jackson played in 140+ games just four times
One of the best shortstops during his playing career, Jackson missed considerable playing time because of injury and illness. At various times he was put on the shelf due to injuries to his knee, surgery for appendicitis, and bouts with mumps and influenza. He played as many as 140 games only four times in fifteen seasons.
After hanging up his spikes, Jackson immediately took a job as a minor league manager in the Giants organization. After piloting the Double-A Jersey City Giants for two seasons, Giants returned to the majors as a coach for the big club. He stayed in a big league uniform through the ’39 campaign before missing the next five seasons while he battled tuberculosis.
Despite a lifetime of maladies, Jackson lived to the ripe old age of 82.
The above autographed image shows the right-handed hitting Jackson following through on his swing.
Travis Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 1, 1982
Travis Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 1, 1982
Travis Jackson received his profession’s highest honor when the Veterans Committee selected him for the Baseball Hall of Fame. That same year the committee also chose Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler.
On the writers’ side, there were two first-ballot inductees. Hank Aaron was one of the no-doubt choices. His time in baseball included an MLB-record 25 All Star selections. The Hammer also broke perhaps the most hallowed record in sports – Babe Ruth’s career home run mark. He was joined by 1966 Triple Crown winner Frank Robinson who tallied 2,943 hits and 586 homers.
The quartet was inducted on August 1, 1982 on a hot summer day in Cooperstown. Shown here is an invitation to the festivities signed by Jackson at the bottom.
