Darrell Jackson

Who is Darrell Jackson?

Darrell Preston Jackson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from 1978 until 1982, all with the Minnesota Twins.

Jackson was drafted by the Twins out of high school in 1973, but he did not sign with them. Instead, he played college baseball at Arizona State University, where he played in the College World Series in each of his last three seasons there.

In 1977, he was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the amateur draft. He made his professional debut in 1978 for the Orlando Twins of the Southern League, and in his very first start he threw nine innings of no-hit ball against the Jacksonville Suns. Unfortunately, the game was tied after nine innings, and Jackson was relieved by fellow future Twin Jeff Holly. Orlando won the game, 1–0, in 12 innings.

After just 10 starts in the minors, Jackson was called up to the Twins in June. In 19 games, Jackson went 4–6 with a 4.48 ERA. He did record one shutout in 1978, on July 7 against the Oakland Athletics.

Jackson split 1979 between the Twins and their Triple-A farm club, the Toledo Mud Hens. In the majors, he pitched in 24 games, going 4–4 with a 4.28 ERA. 1980 was Jackson's first full season in the majors. He set career bests in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.