Late Seventies Mets Pitcher: Jackson Todd (1977)
The six foot two, right hander was a star pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners for three seasons.
He still holds the Sooners record with 14 complete games set during the 1973 season. That year he pitched in the College World Series allowing no earned runs in 14 innings pitched.
Todd chose to skip his senior year when he got drafted in the 38th round by the New York Mets that same year.
In 1974 Todd threw a no hitter in the Texas League at A ball Victoria, going 11-8 overall with a 3.23 ERA. His ERA’s got better through the years, by 1976 he lowered his ERA to 2.91 going 13-6 overall. He began 1977 at AAA Tidewater going just 2-3 with an ERA at four when he was brought up to the Mets staff on May 5th.
Battle with Cancer: It was that year that Todd was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and told he may not survive. "What did I say when they told me? There isn't much you can say. I wasn't frightened. They really didn't tell me how serious it was." But Todd underwent chemotherapy treatment & became a cancer survivor.
Battle with Cancer: It was that year that Todd was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and told he may not survive. "What did I say when they told me? There isn't much you can say. I wasn't frightened. They really didn't tell me how serious it was." But Todd underwent chemotherapy treatment & became a cancer survivor.
His hair grew back even thicker & he sported his new curly haired look. A true champion he battled back & became a major league pitcher.
Mets Career: He debuted pitching one inning in relief of Tom Seaver, in one of Seaver's final starts as a Met, taking a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers at Los Angeles.
On May 19th he pitched into the 8th inning, allowing three runs but beat the San Francisco Giants to earn his first career win. Three days later he came to pitch relief in the 10th inning of a game in Cincinnati against the Reds.
He earned his second win when Mike Phillips singled home Dave Kingman in the top of the 11th inning off Pedro Borbon. Todd lost his next four decisions, including a game on July 2nd where he served up a pair of HRs to the Montreal Expos in the second game of a double header.
Mets Career: He debuted pitching one inning in relief of Tom Seaver, in one of Seaver's final starts as a Met, taking a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers at Los Angeles.
On May 19th he pitched into the 8th inning, allowing three runs but beat the San Francisco Giants to earn his first career win. Three days later he came to pitch relief in the 10th inning of a game in Cincinnati against the Reds. He earned his second win when Mike Phillips singled home Dave Kingman in the top of the 11th inning off Pedro Borbon. Todd lost his next four decisions, including a game on July 2nd where he served up a pair of HRs to the Montreal Expos in the second game of a double header.
Todd went on to start ten games that season and appeared in 19 games overall. He had a 3-6 record with 39 strike outs, a 4.77 ERA, allowing 78 hits in 71 innings pitched. He also gave up eight HRs.
Post Mets Career: At the end of Spring Training 1978 he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor leaguer & was soon released.
He was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979 where he pitched for three seasons. His best year was in 1980 going 5-2 as a starter posting a 4.02 ERA in 12 appearances
Todd ended up pitching in the minors through the 1985 season before retiring.
Career Stats: Overall in his four-year career he was 10-16 posting a 4.40 ERA, with 138 strike outs, 88 walks over 286 innings pitched in 64 games.
Career Stats: Overall in his four-year career he was 10-16 posting a 4.40 ERA, with 138 strike outs, 88 walks over 286 innings pitched in 64 games.
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