NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Al Jackson, one of the original members of the New York Mets, pitching in their inaugural season in 1962, died Monday, the Mets announced. He was 83.
"We are saddened to hear about the passing of Al Jackson, an original Met, who spent 50 years in a New York Mets uniform," the team said in a statement of the Waco, Texas native. "He was a pitcher, major league coach, minor league pitching coordinator and front office advisor. It would be impossible to calculate the number of players and staff he touched and influenced during his career."
The Mets said the left-handed pitcher -- who was referred to as "Little" Al Jackson -- died "after a long illness" at the Emerald Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
RIP to original Met, Al Jackson, who passed away earlier today. pic.twitter.com/nOdjJOxzLx
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 19, 2019Jackson spent four seasons with the Mets before being traded to the Cardinals in 1966.
He returned to the Mets in 1968 and played halfway through the the 1969 season before being traded to the Reds, where he ended his career that season.
Jackson served as a minor league instructor with the Mets and the minor league pitching coordinator.
He is survived by his wife Nadine, sons Reggie and Barry and grandchildren Wesley and Kyle.
