Jackson was the first of John McGraw‘s final generation of great rookies. Succeeding Dave Bancroft at shortstop in 1924, the 5’10” 160-lb Arkansan was soon joined by Bill Terry, Freddie Lindstrom, and Mel Ott as key players on Giant pennant winners of the 1930s. Jackson was a strong-armed SS with good range, as indicated by rankings in the top dozen for lifetime per-game putouts, assists, and chances. He led NL shortstops with 58 errors as a rookie in 1924, but twice led in fielding average, twice in double plays, and four times in assists. In 1934, with knee injuries lessening his mobility, he played his last season at SS, leading the NL with 43 errors. He moved to third base for his last two seasons.
Though generally batting around the sixth spot in the Giants’ lineup, he was a keen bunter and a consistent righthanded hitter who had the measure of the short Polo Grounds fences. He batted over .300 six times, peaking at .339 in 1930. His 21 HR in 1929 were a career high, as were his 101 RBI in 1934. After his playing days, he coached for the Giants and managed a dozen minor league clubs.
