Editing Reggie Jackson (section)

====1980–81 seasons====
In [[1980 New York Yankees season|1980]], Jackson batted .300 for the only time in his career, and his 41 home runs tied with [[Ben Oglivie]] of the [[1980 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] for the American League lead. However, the Yankees were swept in the [[1980 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] by the [[1980 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]]. That year, he won the inaugural [[Silver Slugger Award]] as a designated hitter.

As he entered the last year of his Yankee contract in [[1981 New York Yankees season|1981]], Jackson endured several difficulties from George Steinbrenner. After the owner consulted Jackson about signing then-free agent [[Dave Winfield]], Jackson expected Steinbrenner to work out a new contract for him as well. Steinbrenner never did (some say never intending to) and Jackson played the season as a free agent. Jackson started slowly with the bat, and when the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]] began, Steinbrenner invoked a clause in Jackson's contract forcing him to take a complete [[physical examination]]. Jackson was outraged and blasted Steinbrenner in the media. When the season resumed, Jackson's hitting improved, partly to show Steinbrenner he wasn't finished as a player. He hit a long home run into the upper deck in Game Five of the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike|strike]]-forced [[1981 American League Division Series]] with the [[1981 Milwaukee Brewers season|Brewers]], and the Yankees went on to win the pennant again. However, Jackson injured himself running the bases in Game Two of the [[1981 American League Championship Series|1981 ALCS]] and missed the first two games of the [[1981 World Series|World Series]], both of which the Yankees won.

Jackson was medically cleared to play Game Three, but manager Bob Lemon refused to start him or even play him, allegedly acting under orders from Steinbrenner. The Yankees lost that game and Jackson played the remainder of the series, hitting a home run in Game Four. However, they lost the last three games and the World Series to the Dodgers.