Reggie Jackson became the latest Yankees legend to give his take on the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.
On Monday, former shortstop Derek Jeter classified the incident as a "black eye" for the sport of baseball. Jackson joined WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts at Yankees spring training, sharing a similar sentiment to Jeter.
"I think it's a breach in character," Jackson said. "I think you know that you're crossing the line. I think it's something you're aware of and you voluntarily purposely make the decision to breach your own integrity. I think in having to live with that, having people know that's who you are is just like if a guy takes steroids and people know it or find out and they believe that you cheated but they don't ever say or talk about it when you're around.
"It's the same type of feeling," Jackson added. "You get caught stealing or doing something and you wear that."
Retaliation has been a budding topic in wake of the Astros' scandal. Braves outfielder Nick Markakis says every player in Houston "needs a beating." Other players frown upon the incident. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he'd issue a memo to teams about throwing at Astros' batters. Jackson says it's all a part of the game.
"If you want to throw at a guy, throw at him," Jackson said. "If you want to play the game that way, it's all part of the game. I'm not going to hold it against you if you knocked the guy down or hit him in the back or if you hit him in the head, it's the way it goes. You've done something like this. You got caught in the clubhouse stealing. Really?
"We all leave our clothes in the clubhouse," continued Jackson. "We all leave our pants in there. You're really going to go through there and take a few hundred? I feel the same way that it's a breach in character. Whatever comes after that just comes."
Jackson was never keen on knowing which pitch he was about to receive. The slugger recalled a time during the minors where opposing manager Don Zimmer grew tired of Jackson reaching base. Zimmer figured he might as well reveal which pitches were coming. Jackson, once on a torrid pace, struggled at the plate when catcher Carl Taylor tipped the pitches.
Jackson was against the notion, saying he prefers to build an at-bat. The trend carried over from the minors to Jackson's time with the Oakland Athletics, when Taylor was behind the plate.
"Carl Taylor was traded from the Pirates to the Royals," Jackson said. "And he tells Whitey (Herzog), this is how we got Reggie out. First time up he tells me what's coming. I hit a groundball to the second baseman. The second time up he tells me what's coming, I hit a pop up to center. The third time up ... I said to Carl Taylor, if you tell me what's coming, you and I are going to get in a fight. He tells me what's coming. I turn around and I take my glasses off and the benches empty and we start jawing at home plate."
Click the audio player above to listen to Jackson's interview in its entirety
