SON OF AN ACTOR

• While he played plenty of baseball and savored being a regular kid growing up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Jackson also spent five years as an adolescent auditioning for projects ranging from cereal commercials to television sitcoms.

  It was against the wishes of John Jackson, whose resume includes supporting appearances in popular flicks like "A Few Good Men" and "A Perfect World." Since 1996, he has portrayed "JAG" leader Admiral A. J. Chegwidden on the CBS drama.

  John Jackson wasn’t going to push his son or daughter into show business, nor did he want himself involved in the process. He knows the toll it inflicts on the young. "It’s not a normal life; that’s why I didn’t want my kids in it," Jackson said. "I didn’t want either of my kids to be out there until they were adults." 

  Conor quickly realized it wasn’t a fairytale ride as his mother chauffeured him between unsuccessful tryouts. "I never got anything," he said. "The worst was going in there and not even auditioning and saying your lines. Just hearing ‘You’re not the right look for the part.’

  "'You haven’t even heard me yet,' I'd say."

• Conor appeared in a commercial when he was 12 years old. It was an ad that Universal Studios Hollywood did when they were unveiling the theme park's new "Back to the Future" ride.

  As the son of veteran character actor John Jackson, Conor’s first taste of acting really wasn’t so glamorous. "I had to ride ‘Back to the Future’ without seeing anything. I just had to be in the car. I probably rode it 20-25 times. It was really long. I was young; they treated me like a kid. I was a kid."

  He was paid about $850 for that gig, but most of the money went for acting courses and photos.

• Conor says he and his Dad collected autographs when he was young. Now, he is good about signing for fans.

• In his youth, Conor loved the Dodgers, following the exploits of such favorite players as Mickey Hatcher, Kirk Gibson, and Steve Sax.

• Jackson's host on a recruiting trip to the University of California was Xavier Nady, who he was later compared to, as far as Major League potential. The University of California offered Conor a baseball scholarship.
• In 2000, Jackson turned down the Indians after they drafted him in the 31st round of the draft out of El Camino Real High in Woodland Hills, California. He chose college instead.
• In 2002, he became one of the nation's premier hitters as the Golden Bears' third baseman in his sophomore year. He hit .382-16-61 that year, finishing second in the Pac-10 in hitting.

• While at the University of California, Conor majored in theater and performance studies. Coursework included acting classes and behind-the-camera subjects such as set design. Someday, he wants to follow his father’s path and first dabble in Broadway theater, eventually progressing to the big or small screen. He admits the fame and glitter Hollywood can paint its brightest stars with is tempting.

  But for now, Jackson prefers hacking for hits than starring in box-office hits. "I wanted to be a professional baseball player. I can’t stress that enough," he said. "There’s no doubt that 99 percent of me wants to be a Major Leaguer and maybe one percent wants to be an actor. I love acting. I don’t think I’ve been out in the real acting world yet."

• In 2003, Conor was named Most Valuable Player of the Northwest League (Class A Short Season-Diamondbacks). He hit 35 doubles—the most in Northwest League history. And that 35 doubles was an incredible one in every seven at-bats. He also led the loop in RBI.

• Before 2004 spring training, Baseball America ranked Jackson as the 6th-best prospect in the D'Backs' organization.

  Before 2005 spring training camp opened, the magazine had Conor as #2 prospect in Arizona's farm system, behind only Carlos Quentin.

  Before 2006 spring training, Baseball America again rated Jackson as second best prospect in the D'Backs' organization, this time behind only Stephen Drew.

• On June 22, 2005, While in Tuscon, Conor took a batting-practice home run off his head. He was talking on his cell phone outside the clubhouse beyond the left-field fence, when he was struck in the head with a batting practice homer and was briefly knocked unconscious. He missed one game before returning to the Sidewinders' lineup to continue his assault on Pacific Coast League pitching. He actually went to the hospital and missed two games.
• In 2005 and 2006, Jackson drove a Cadillac Escalade.

• During the winter before 2008 spring training, Jackson worked out in Arizona at Athlete's Performance. He was in a workout group with others such as Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Carl Crawford.

  "They all talk about the American League East and what a tough division it is," Jackson said. "I tell them to come out here and see the pitching in the National League West. Once again this year, the pitching in our division is going to be ridiculous."

• On June 3, 2009, Jackson made a guest appearance on the soap opera "General Hospital." Conor, a theater major at California, played a physical therapist. ESPN set up the appearance. 

• Diagnosed with Valley Fever in 2009, the illness sapped Jackson of his strength, causing him to miss all but 30 games that year. He was never the same player after that and eventually retired following Spring Training in 2013. MLB.com: I noticed when I was preparing for our talk today that you have no social media accounts. Why is that?
  
  

  Jackson: I’m kind of anti-social media, so I’m not on any of the platforms. I just don’t really believe in it. I get it, I understand it, I’m just not a proponent of it. No Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter. I did have one back in the past, and I found myself living on my phone too much, and now I just want to be more kind of in the moment. I don’t really like how society is going with that right now.

  MLB.com: Too much looking at your phone?

  Jackson: Yeah, I think the art of the conversation is really limited nowadays. I like to rap out with people rather than just look at my phone.

  MLB.com: Are you busy with other interests (besides baseball)?

  Jackson: You know, it’s a little bit of everything. I love the game of baseball. I love what it gave me, I love every moment of it when I played it. There were things I wanted to do after. Right when I stopped playing, like the minute I retired basically, I got a backpack and I went to Europe for months. And then I went to Southeast Asia for half a year. I’d just travel. I just wanted to take a deep breath. A lot of people don’t understand that I was 31 and I had the rest of my life in front of me, and all I knew at that time was baseball. So, the transition is very interesting. It really is. You’re not known as Joe Schmoe the baseball player. You’re known as Joe Schmoe the human being. You know? It’s different.

  MLB.com: I would think it would be even more difficult for you because of the way your career ended. I mean, you were very successful and then you got Valley Fever and missed a year, maybe a little more, and just never seemed the same.

  Jackson: Totally, totally. What a freak thing. It was a really freaky thing. I just missed some important at-bats in the prime of my career, and then a little mental part creeped into it where you wonder if you’re still there physically, and when you get back, you’re not starting every day like you were before. There were just a lot of things that happened, really. My favorite thing was the locker room. One thing I say that I miss the most is the guys and just having the routine of the locker room. But when you’re so stressed out about the game and your production, it’s OK to take a step back, and that’s what I did. MLB.com: Are you healthy now?
  
  

  Jackson: Yeah, I feel great. Healthy, no complaints. I’ve been working out. [Former Brewers outfielder] Geoff Jenkins owns some F45 [workout] facilities, so he got me in this class, which I never thought I would do. I was always a loner when it came to working out, I liked to do my own thing. He got me to do these classes with him, and I just love them now. MLB.com: What was it that made you want to travel right away after retiring?

  
  Jackson: Traveling is hard to describe, but I just love going and seeing different cultures and meeting different people. It’s fun to get other people’s perspectives, especially when you go to a different country and they’re like, "Baseball? I don’t even know what that is." I don’t even say I played baseball when I meet people now. I just say I do a little private lending, which I do, and if baseball comes up I’ll say that I did play it, but it’s not something I say first to people.

• MLB.com: So business-wise, you’re doing private lending now?

  Jackson: Yeah, I’m doing some of that. I got into it about five years ago, and that keeps me somewhat busy, and I’ve done some fix and flips right now. I’m working on one right now. I just like to keep busy. If I feel like I’m getting bored I’ll try to mentally go somewhere and do something work-wise. Fix up a house or something like that.  (Gilbert - mlb.com - 5/21/2020)
  

  
  
  
  

  TRANSACTIONS

• June 13, 2003: Jackson signed with the Diamondbacks for a bonus of $1.5 million. The scout who signed him was Fred Costello. He was moved from the infield to right field.

• January 20, 2009: Conor and the D'Backs filed for salary arbitration. The D-backs submitted a figure of $2.45 million while Jackson countered with $3.65 million.

  The team and Jackson avoided their arbitration hearing when they agreed on a $3.05 million contract for 2009, the midpoint between the arbitration figures filed by the two sides.

• January 14, 2010: Jackson and the Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.1 million deal for 2010.

• June 16, 2010: The A's sent P Sam Demel to the Diamondbacks, acquiring Conor.

• January 18, 2011: Jackson and the A's avoided arbitration, agreeing on a $3.2 million contract for 2011.

• September 1, 2011: The Red Sox sent RHP Jason Rice to the A's, acquiring Jackson.

• February 6, 2012: Conor signed with the Rangers organization.

  March 26, 2012: The Rangers released Jackson.

• April 2012: Conor signed with the White Sox organization.

• April 14, 2013: Jackson was released by the Orioles.

• December 5, 2012: Jackson signed with the Orioles' organization.

• Jackson hits for a high batting average with a bit of power.
• Conor has good bat speed and the strength to continue increasing his power numbers every season. He can really put a charge into the ball from a short, compact stroke. 
  
  Jackson is a pure hitter.

• Jackson is not prone to over-swinging. He takes a nice, big cut at the ball, making good solid contact from a crouched batting stance. He has a pure hitting stroke and incredible hand-eye coordination. He nails any fastball, and adjusts well to breaking balls. But he has a little trouble with good, inside heat.

• Conor maintains a good on-base percentage. Conor walks almost as much as he strikes out. His knowledge of the strike zone, pitch recognition, and plate discipline are extremely good. He doesn't swing at bad pitches and doesn't miss the good ones.
  
  In 2004, D'Backs farm director Tommy Jones said that Conor "has the best strike-zone discipline in our entire organization, from Rookie League to the Majors." And in 2005, Tacoma Sidewinders manager Dan Rohn said Jackson has the best concept of the strike zone he'd seen in his five years in the Pacific Coast League.

• He spreads out a little bit at the plate. Jackson is endeavoring to put more back-spin on the ball, which will give it more carry and boost his home run numbers. He gets a good at-bat almost every single trip to the plate. He has a great approach. He waits for the pitch he wants, and when he gets it he squares it up good. He's got such a great, short swing and superb plate discipline.
  
  One thing Conor does better than most is read pitchers. He's such a great breaking-ball hitter and he has no fear of it either. It's almost like he says, "If you're going to throw it slower with a loop in it, I'm all for it."
  
  When he is down 0-2 or 1-2, he has an incredible ability to stay in the at-bat and oftentimes get himself on base. If you can do that, one time after another, you create run-scoring opportunities and ultimately stress the pitchers.
  
• Conor is able to easily recognize pitches right out of the pitcher's hand. His tremendous strike-zone recognition allows him to draw more walks than strikeouts. He uses an all-fields, line-drive approach, rather than selling out for power.

• There is not one pitch he cannot hit. Conor can actually be too passive at bat, waiting for the perfect pitch he can slam for extra bases, instead of hammering a ball he can easily drive for a single.
  

• Jackson started the 2012 season with a career batting average of .271 with 52 homers and 295 RBI in 2,184 at-bats.

• The Diamondbacks moved Conor to right field when they signed him, even though he had played 3rd base at the University of California.
  
  In 2005, they moved him to first base. He can be an average first baseman on defense.

• Jackson has a fairly strong arm, but his accuracy is poor, so first base is a good spot for him.

• In the outfield, he cuts off balls in the gap. His arm needs to be a little stronger if he is going to play any right field, but he is working on the mechanics of his throws, and on taking better routes to the ball. Overall, he is not a very good outfielder, mostly limited to left field.

• Conor is a good, hard-nosed player. Defense never has been, and never will be, the strong part of his game. He will make some errors, but he is adequate at first base.

• In June 2008, Jackson was moved to left field. And he played solid defense, showing decent range, and a relatively accurate arm.

• Conor doesn't have very good speed, but he won't clog the bases, either.
• Jackson improved his speed before 2008 spring training. Where he used to get from home to first base in 4.7 or 4.8 seconds, now he gets there consistently in 4.5 seconds.

• 2003 (college season): Conor injured his right ankle rounding second base in the first game of the season, then later missed a few games with an arm injury.
• 2003 (pro season): Shoulder tendinitis forced Jackson to DH for most of the summer.

• May 2008: In a span of about 15 minutes, the Diamondbacks first baseman went from the possible winning hit—a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning—to having his head rung so soundly in an eighth-inning collision at first with Shane Victorino he had to leave the game. "A shoulder or helmet gave him a glancing blow under his [right] eye," manager Bob Melvin said.

• May 12, 2009: Conor was on the D.L. with a combination of pneumonia and valley fever—mostly the valley fever, which is an illness contracted by inhaling spores of fungus in desert soil. It essentially zapped him of his energy.
  
  When he wasn't getting better, Jackson visited an infectious-disease doctor in Tucson in August 2009.

• April 19-May 8, 2010: Jackson was on the D.L. after injuring his right hamstring when he ran in to catch the Padres Will Venable's fly ball. An MRI revealed a strain.

• July 1-August 15, 2010: Conor was on the D.L. with a strained right hamstring.

  Jackson said he first strained his hamstring on June 17 at Chicago's Wrigley Field. At the time, he was playing his third game with the A's after being traded by the Diamondbacks. And he aggravated the injury the next day in St. Louis. Jackson missed 18 games for Arizona—spending time on the DL with a strained right hamstring from April 18-May 8—but he said the injury occurred in a different spot this time.

• August 20, 2010: Conor was back on the D.L. And on September 1, he had successful sports hernia surgery. His  procedure was performed in Philadelphia by Dr. William Meyers, a sports hernia specialist who has previously operated on several professional athletes, including the NFL's Donovan McNabb. He was expected to face a recovery time of three weeks.

• May 5-June 17, 2012: Jackson was on the D.L.