Chuck Jackson
wearing new uniform
The former UH player
By Al Chase
has started a consulting firm after
12 seasons in pro ball
Star-BulletinASHEVILLE, N.C. -- A smiling Chuck Jackson stood in the middle of the Biltmore Mall dressed in a neat pair of brown slacks with a brightly colored casual shirt, tucked in, of course. He was in the "uniform" of Chuck Jackson the businessman.
No more baseball uniforms for the former University of Hawaii outfielder who spent 12 seasons in the professional game, 10 at the Triple A level or higher.
There was withdrawal (he finally attended an American Legion game in late May) when spring training rolled around earlier this year. However, Jackson is busy with his own consulting firm that recruits executives for the construction industry, his work with the Job Corps in region five and as a motivational speaker.
He conducts three-day programs for the Job Corps in life skills training, teaching anger management, conflict resolution, self-esteem and gaining direction in life. He is busy and says he finds his new career rewarding.
"The hardest part was telling yourself that it is the right decision not to play," Jackson said. "The only reason you play is to play in the majors or have the chance to play in the majors.
"My body is beat. Last year, playing in an independent league and hitting below .250 ... it was time to shut it down.
"It's difficult to have a home life with what you have to do as a pro and I was fortunate to marry a lady (Trina) who was understanding and supportive."
Jackson actually found out what it was like to be home full-time during the 1995 strike season. During that year that he became involved with the construction industry as he and Trina built a home in Asheville. It's where they met when Jackson played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League in 1984.
He could have played in the strike season -- 14 teams wanted to sign him as a replacement player -- but he wasn't going to cross the line.
"You step over that line and you're done," he said. "I came back in 1996, but I was really on the fence."
There was no hesitation when asked to choose the highlight of his career.
"It was my first week in the bigs," he said. "The ball found me. It didn't matter where they played me, the ball found me at the most opportune times whether it was a diving stop at third or a long-running catch of a Candy Maldonado drive in center."
Jackson was with the Houston Astros for parts of the 1987 and 1988 seasons before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in December 1989.
He all but had the fourth outfielder's spot nailed down with the Giants until hurting his wrist while making a diving catch late in spring training. He ended up on the disabled list from April 3 to June 28, 1990.
A brief stop with the Texas Rangers at the end of 1994 concluded his major league career.
"I look back with pride, but have to move on. I had fun playing the game. I got into a zone and just loved it," Jackson said.
A 6-foot, 185 pounder who threw and batted from the right side, Jackson came to UH from Seattle's Ingraham High School in the fall of 1982.
He was cocky, and admits now that he wasn't ready to start for the Rainbows although he got the chance as a freshman when a teammate was injured colliding with the second baseman.
He also says UH was a blessing. He credits coach Les Murakami with "teaching fundamentals, not only in the field, but in the weight room, in the classroom, how to take care of yourself because you only have so long (to play the game).
"I remember those five-mile runs on Wednesday down Kapahulu Avenue and around Ala Wai Canal."
"I also remember that Mario Monico pushed the heck out of me all the time I was at UH. He probably doesn't realize it, but he was an inspiration to me. He drove me to do what I had to do to play at the next level."
Nowadays, Jackson gets to play with his three children, Justin, Kahalani and Dallas.
Height: 6-0, Weight: 185, Throws: Right. Bats: Right Chuck Jackson
Schools: Ingraham (Seattle) High School, University of Hawaii
Batting record
Year, Team, League G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI Avg. 1984-Auburn, New York-Penn League 10 38 4 14 0 2 1 4 .368 1984-Asheville, South Atlantic League 59 199 42 52 12 0 5 32 .261 1985-Tucson, Pacific Coast League 19 61 7 11 2 1 1 4 .180 1985-Columbus, Southern League 108 361 62 112 10 8 8 46 .310 1986-Tucson, Pacific Coast League 127 448 83 137 27 5 11 62 .306 1987-Tucson, Pacific Coast League 80 291 51 84 10 4 3 43 .289 1987-Houston, National League 35 71 3 13 3 0 1 6 .183 1988-Tucson, Pacific Coast League 48 151 21 45 8 0 2 11 .298 1988-Houston, National League 46 83 7 19 5 1 1 8 .229 1989-Tucson, Pacific Coast League 69 243 33 75 14 4 3 27 .309 1989-Omaha, American Association 28 97 16 29 0 3 1 12 .299 1990-Phoenix, Pacific Coast League 74 273 47 79 18 4 0 26 .289 1991-Calgary, Pacific Coast League 121 488 80 139 28 5 15 85 .285 1992-Oklahoma City, American Assoc 127 457 66 119 23 7 10 54 .260 1993-Edmonton, Pacific Coast League 36 129 23 36 4 3 5 11 .279 1993-Oklahoma City, American Assoc 85 316 51 100 24 4 6 43 .316 1994-Oklahoma City, American Assoc 97 352 45 98 22 1 8 48 .278 1994-Texas, American League 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1995-Out of organized baseball 1996-St. Paul, Northern League 28 93 13 20 1 1 4 17 .215 Minor League totals 1,116 3,997 644 1,150 203 52 83 525 .288 Major League totals 82 156 10 32 8 1 2 14 .205
Year, Team, League G IP W L Pct. H ER BB SO ERA 1992-Oklahoma City, American Assoc. 1 2 0 0 .000 4 3 1 1 13.50 1994-Oklahoma City, American Assoc. 1 1 0 0 .000 4 1 0 1 9.00 Minor League totals 2 3 0 0 .000 8 4 1 2 12.00
Drafted in 21st round (273rd overall), regular phase, by the Cleveland Indians, June 8, 1981. Did not sign.
Drafted in 7th round (173rd overall), regular phase, by the Houston Astros, June 4, 1984.
Made his Major League debut May 26, 1987.
Hit his first Major League home run, June 25, 1987 off Dave Dravecky (San Diego Padres).
On the disabled list, May 22 to June 1, 1989.
Loaned by the Houston Astros to Omaha (Kansas City Royals organization), July 26, 1989. Returned to Houston, September 6, 1989.
Drafted from Tucson (Houston organization) by the San Francisco Giants, December 5, 1989.
On the disabled list, April 3 to June 28, 1990.
Granted free agency, October 15, 1990.
Signed by the Seattle Mariners as a free agent, December 21, 1990.
Granted free agency, October 15, 1991.
Signed by the Texas Rangers as a free agent, December 3, 1991.
Granted free agency, October 16, 1992.
Signed by the Florida Marlins as a free agent, January 2, 1993.
Released by the Florida Marlins, May 29, 1993.
Signed by the Texas Rangers as a free agent, June 5, 1993.
On Oklahoma City disabled list, July 21-28, 1994.
Granted free agency, October 13, 1994.
Played in Taiwan for the first part of the 1996 season.
Signed by the St. Paul Saints, July 5, 1996; Released by the St. Paul Saints, August 19, 1996.
Retired following the 1996 season.
Stole 32 bases for Columbus and led Southern League in on-base percentage (.524) and finished fourth in the batting race in 1985.
Stole 18 bases for Tucson and led the Pacific Coast League third basemen in errors (29) in 1986.
Tied for the American Association lead in sacrifice flies (8) in 1994.
