Grant Jackson, the winning pitcher of game seven of the 1979 World Series, died Tuesday morning at Canonsburg Hospital due to COVID-19 complications. He was 78.
His teammate and friend Omar Moreno, the man who caught that final out in the 1979 World Series, shared the news on Twitter:
Rest in peace my good friend. You will be miss💔#GrantJackson #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/gCT538t8w7
— Omar Renan Moreno Q (@OmarMoreno79) February 2, 2021
The Moreno family was kind enough to pass along a statement from Omar on the passing of "Buck," who was like a father to him:
"The Moreno family’s heart is broken. 'Buck' was like a father to me. He was a great friend and confidant. His words of wisdom made a difference in so many aspects of my life. He taught me the value of being genuine and sincere. As a teammate he always made sure to bring us together. He taught me how to study the game. How to love it and live it. He taught me to always be straightforward and transparent with players when coaching and teaching baseball. He was full of wisdom.
"Outside of the field, my family and I knew a side of 'Buck' that many didn’t know. I knew him as person, he was a one a kind extraordinary human. To my adult children The Jackson’s have always been “Grandpa Grant, Grandma Millie and cousins Yolanda, Debbie & Grancito.” Our playing days and after retirement family memories are endless and they will forever be missed. Buck saw me and treated me like a son. He would constantly tell me that I needed to perfect my golfing because it was a great way for me to network. Buck taught me to be a Winner, to think like a Winner and act like a Winner. His friendship meant everything to me. He will be greatly missed."
The Pirates confirmed Jackson's passing this morning.
“This pandemic has affected every family throughout our community, and the Pirates family is no different," Pirates team president Travis Williams said in a statement. "As the winning pitcher for the Pirates in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, Grant was a World Series Champion and All-Star, who remained dedicated to the Pirates and the City of Pittsburgh since his retirement in 1982. He was an active board member of our Alumni Association who was always willing to help make an impact in our community.
"More so than any on-field accomplishment, Grant was a proud family man. Our sincere condolences and support go to his wife Millie (Milagro), his children Debra, Yolanda and Grant Jr., as well as his 10 grandchildren. He will be missed.”
Jackson, a left-handed reliever and former All-Star, pitched 18 years in the Majors, including six with the Pirates from 1977-1982. He spent the first six years of his career with the Phillies and then the next six with the Orioles -- including during the Pirates and Orioles’ first World Series meeting in 1971 -- while also making brief stops with the Yankees, Royals and Expos.
He was one of the most important players in the 1979 Pirates’ bullpen, going 8-5 with a 2.96 ERA over 82 innings pitched. In Game 7 he provided 2 ⅔ innings of scoreless relief as the Pirates came back in the later innings to capture their fifth and most recent championship.
That was one of six scoreless appearances Jackson had in that 1979 postseason, four of which came in the World Series. He also won the opening game of the National League Championship Series against the Reds that October.
In his career he went 86-65 with a 3.46 ERA and 79 saves.
After his playing career, Jackson became the bullpen coach for Chuck Tanner and the Pirates in 1983. He would hold that position through the remainder of Tanner’s tenure with the Pirates, which ended in 1985. He held the same position with the Reds from 1994-1995.
Jackson and the rest of the Fam-a-lee were recognized at PNC Park in July of 2019, celebrating the 40th anniversary of that championship team.