R.I.P. Grant Jackson

Grant Jackson, left, poses with Chris Speier during Montreal Expos Fan Day in 1981. Photo: Juanita Moore

February 2, 2021

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Grant Jackson had a tiny part to play in the Expos run to their first-ever playoff berth in 1981.

The southpaw pitcher was at the tail end of his major league career when the Expos acquired him from the Pirates for $50,000 on Sept. 1, 1981, a date that meant he wasn't eligible for the post-season when Montreal advanced to the National League Championship Sereis against the Los Angeles Dodgers after disposing of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East divisional set.

Jackson, who died Feb. 2 at the age of 78 following complications from COVID-19, was primarily a relief pitcher during his time in the major leagues, a tenure that also included stints with the Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.

Jackson pitched in 10 games for the 1981 Expos, going 1-0 with a 7.59 ERA. He allowed 14 hits, nine earned runs and nine walks. On Jan. 14, 1982, the Expos traded Jackson to the Royals in exchange for first baseman/pinch hitter Ken Phelps.

Jackson compiled a lifetime won-loss record of 86-75 with a respectable 3.46 ERA. He was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, the last time the Pirates won the big prize. Jackson had been a close friend of the late Pirates slugger Willie Stargell.

"I know that Willie will be waiting to meet him at heaven's gate,'' Stargell's daughter, Margaret, said in a Facebook post about Jackson.