Let’s get this straight. There’s only one Mr. October.
What Chase Utley has done is tremendous, hitting five home runs in this World Series, but don’t even think about putting the Phillies’ second baseman in the same class as Reggie Jackson’s five home runs for the World Series champion Yankees in 1977.
This is November, anyway, a different month and in so many ways a much different time.
Until Utley puts one in Monument Cave in deep center, it doesn’t compare. Until he does it while winning a World Series, it doesn’t compare. It’s a great second act, but it’s not Reggie.
No one will stir the drink like Reggie. And we’re still waiting for the first interesting quote from Utley.
There was Reggie yesterday at the batting cage at Yankee Stadium, doing what he does best, working with the Yankees hitters, talking to the players one on one, spending time with “Al” Rodriguez, breaking it all down like only Reggie can as the Yankees stand on the doorstep of their 27th championship.
As for Chase’s chase, Reggie told The Post he was not surprised that someone finally hit five home runs in a World Series, 32 years after his majestic performance.
“I’m not like a Superman,” Reggie said with a smile.
He did admit, though, “I don’t think you expect Chase to do it. I mean, Al can do it. Certainly Ryan Howard, I had considered maybe Jayson Werth, the way he was swinging the bat. I thought Bonds was going to do it in ’02, because when they threw him the ball and let it go, it was going out. The only way he didn’t set the record is that they went around him.”
Reggie hit three home runs to win Game 6 and the 1977 World Series. He did it on three pitches.
“I was in Ruth’s class for a day,” he said.
Asked if Utley is now in his class, Reggie was the perfect gentleman, saying, “Yes.”
Reggie gave props to Utley — but added that, “The game I played was different.”
“I’ve never seen a ballpark like that,” Reggie said of Citizens Bank Park, “and this one is not far from it. But that ballpark is small. It’s a small ballpark, but this guy is a great ballplayer. He’s not a fluke. So you tip your cap to that, thank goodness I was a part of it.
“Hopefully,” Reggie added, “he doesn’t break the record against us. He can break the record if we win. I’m good to go with that.”
Reggie offered this insight into his home runs, saying the scouting of Birdie Tebbetts and Gene Michael played a huge role in his success that World Series — especially with the first two home runs.
“They were pitching me in, and I was looking for the ball in,” Reggie said. “I used the scouting reports in the ’70s like they do today.”
Where was Reggie when Utley tied the record with his blast against Phil Coke?
He was talking to A.J. Burnett in the clubhouse, trying to get the starter back in gear mentally.
“That conversation was much more important than Chase Utley hitting a homer,” Reggie said.
That’s Reggie, 32 years later still trying to help the Yankees win another championship, working in unison with the coaching staff. He knows what it takes to perform on the biggest stage.
Post colleague David Wells said Yankees pitchers should knock Utley on his butt. Phils pitchers have been using A-Rod for target practice. Most of all, the Yankees have to stop throwing the ball down the middle of the plate to Utley.
Reggie is looking for A-Rod to come up big.
“Every time he hits the ball, if the ball’s in the air, it’s got 400 feet on it,” he said.
I then ask Reggie, “There’s only one Mr. October, right?”
He gives the perfect answer, saying, “Mariano, not bad.”
Remember, Reggie knows greatness.