Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Before he was a three-time MVP and Hall of Fame legend, Mike Schmidt faced a brutal introduction to the big leagues. In this classic sit-down with Reggie Jackson, Schmidt opens up about his 1973 rookie struggles, where he batted just .196 and grappled with a league-high strikeout rate.

Despite the growing pains, the raw power was undeniable—Schmidt still managed to blast 18 home runs that year, setting the stage for his massive 1974 breakout. Relive the story of how a difficult debut season paved the way for a 12-time All-Star career and one of the greatest third basemen to ever play the game. The episode was hosted By Reggie Jackson produced in 1989 for Season 16.
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