The Met drafted left-handed pitcher Al Jackson from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1961 expansion draft. He made his Mets debut as the starting pitcher in their third game in franchise history on April 14, 1962. He allowed 6 runs over 7 innings as the Mets lost to the Pirates 6-2. He earned his first win on April 29 when he pitched the first complete game shutout in franchise history against the Philadelphia Phillies. He also pitched the first one-hitter in team history on June 22 against the Houston Colt 45.s. Overall for the season he went 8-20 with a 4.40 ERA, the lowest on the team. He also led the team with 4 shutouts and tied Roger Craig with 118 strikeouts.
Jackson posted a 13-17 record with 3.96 ERA in 1963 leading the team in winds and strikeouts with 142.
In 1964 he was named the Opening Day Starter, unfortunately he lost to the Phillies. But he was the winning pitcher in the Mets first win at Shea Stadium when he pitched a complete game shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 19. He finished with a 11-16 record and a 4.26 ERA once again leading the team in wins. He also led the team with 11 complete games and 3 shutouts.
Even though he won only 8 games in 1965 he tied with Jack Fisher for most on the team. But he also finished with the second most losses on the team with 20. He once again led the team in strikeouts with 120 and shutouts with 3. His best game came on May 4 when he beat the Phillies 2-1 while striking out 10 batters.
Following the 1965 season he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals along with Charley Smith in exchange for Ken Boyer. He was traded back to the Mets on October 16, 1967 in exchange for Jack Lamabe.
He appeared in 25 games for the Mets in 1968, 9 as a starter and the 16 out of the bullpen. He finished 3-7 with a 3.69 ERA.
Jackson appeared in 9 games out of the bullpen in 1969 before his contract was sold to the Cincinnati Reds on June 13. At the time his record was 0-0 with a 10.64 ERA.
In 184 career appearances for the Mets he posted a 43-80 record with a 4.26 ERA.
Jackson returned to the Mets organization in 1981 when he managed their minor league club the Kingston Mets. He also served on the Mets coaching staff in 1999 and 2000.
While with the Mets Jackson wore number 15 from 1962-1965 and number 38 from 1968-1969.
Al Jackson also played for the following teams:
Pittsburgh Pirates – 1959,1961
St. Louis Cardinals – 1966,1967
Cincinnati Reds – 1969
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