The Blue Jays finished the 1980 season on a three-game winning streak, the final game won by right-hander Jackson Todd on a complete-game six-hitter.Todd finished up his third season with time in the majors with a career-best 5-2 record in 12 starts.
"Actually, I wish the season could last forever," Todd told told UPI afterward. "It's fun to come to the park now. It's a lot of fun playing the game again."
For Todd, just that he was there was an achievement. Six years earlier, a type of abdominal cancer nearly ended his career - and his life.
It was Todd's eighth season overall as a pro. His next, though, would be his last in the majors. His coaching career began shortly afterward.
Todd's pro career began in 1973, taken by the Mets in the second round of the draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
The Mets selected Todd as he was fresh off a College World Series run that saw Todd's Sooners ousted by Texas in a game Todd started.
"I was particularly pleased with the way we hit the ball against Jackson Todd," Texas coach Cliff Gustafson told The Associated Press after the Texas win, "because I consider him one of the really fine college pitchers in the country."
With the Mets, Todd started at AA Memphis, going 6-5 in 14 outings. He stayed at AA through 1975, making AAA Tidewater in 1976. It was in May 1977 that Todd debuted in the majors, with the Mets.
Todd, though, was lucky to be there, and alive, after a bout with lymphatic cancer. He was diagnosed after the close of the 1974 season. "They said I was at death's door," Todd told The AP in 1977. Chemotherapy, though, brought him back, saving his life.
To UPI in spring 1976, Todd recounted the moment he found out he had the cancer. As far as how serious it was, he wasn't told initially.
"What did I say when they told me?" Todd told UPI that spring, repeating the reporter's question. "There isn't much you can say. I wasn't frightened. They really didn't tell me how serious it was."
With the Mets in 1977, Todd got into 19 games, making 10 starts. He went 3-6, with a 4.77 ERA. For 1978, Todd moved to the Phillies in a trade. He also spent the year at AAA Oklahoma City.
Todd returned to the majors in 1979, signing with the Blue Jays. He got into 12 games, starting one, with a 5.85 ERA.
For 1980, Todd made the Blue Jays in August, winning four of his first five decisions. His fourth win came Sept. 9 against the Yankees, giving up four earned runs in 6.2 innings of work.
"I did my job, kept us in the game and kept us close," Todd told reporters after the game. "That's all I want to do every time out."
Todd finished out his major league career in 1981, with 21 outings, 13 starts. He went 2-7, with a 3.96 ERA. His playing career, though, didn't finally end until 1985, playing much of that final year with the White Sox at AAA Buffalo.
By 1987, Todd had started his coaching career, as pitching coach at AAA Denver. He stayed there four four seasons, moving to single-A Gastonia in 1991. He then moved to AA Tulsa in 1992. Todd is last recorded as coaching in 1996, at AA Memphis, never making it back to the majors as a coach.
- Lawrence Journal-World, Associated Press, June 11, 1973: Southern Cal Only Unbeaten Left
- Lexington Dispatch, UPI, March 24, 1976: Baseball fans will love Jackson Todd
- Williamson Daily News, Associated Press, May 23, 1977: Bench, Todd heroes as Reds, Mets split
- Wilmington Morning Star, wire reports, Sept. 10, 1980: Yankees lose; Orioles win
- Nashua Telegraph, UPI, Oct. 6, 1980: Bosox end with a loss
More: The 1990 Denver Zephyrs
Cards Featured: 779/880 - 88.5%
Players/Coaches Featured: 790
Made the Majors: 537 - 68%
Never Made the Majors:252-32%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 240
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 146
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