LEONARD GREENE: Reggie Jackson’s honesty about racism he faced in Birmingham more powerful than any homer he ever hit

Reggie Jackson is still hitting them out of the park.

Not since the former Yankee slugger clouted three home runs in a World Series game against the Dodgers in 1977 has Jackson done more with a pitch in the strike zone.

This time, it was Alex Rodriguez, of all people, serving up the fast ball.

The occasion was a nationally-televised major league game last week honoring Willie Mays and the Birmingham, Ala., ball field where the baseball legend began his professional career in the Negro Leagues.

Mays, one of the few players to hit more home runs than Jackson, had just died a couple of days before at the age of 93, which only added to the poignancy of a very emotional day.

Rodriguez, another former Yankees slugger, asked Jackson during the Fox Sports broadcast how he felt about returning to Birmingham’s historic Rickwood Field, where he played in the minor leagues.

What followed........

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