Mr. October has been sent to the bench for July.
Reggie Jackson has been temporarily barred from the Yankee clubhouse and team events after his controversial comments about Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Mets Hall of Famer Gary Carter, according to league sources.
Jackson, a special adviser to the team who did not accompany the Yankees during their weekend trip to Boston, has been told to stay away indefinitely in order to let his remarks in a Sports Illustrated story lose steam.
The Post first reported the likelihood of such a development in Saturday’s editions.
GRADE THE YANKEES AT THE BREAK
Jackson, 66, is not expected to be fired and at some time this season will resume his role within the organization, which includes working with minor leaguers and being around the club in an advisory position.
Jackson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Home Run Derby at Kauffman Stadium last night, insisted this is only a temporary issue.
“No, I’m not banned, I’m not suspended,’’ he told The Post. “I still have a great relationship with the Yankees, which I appreciate very much. I’ve stayed away because of possible disruption being disruptive with the media, it would attract so much attention to it. And I look forward to getting back and doing my job’’
“It was a mutual thing it was best because the clubhouse is small (in Boston) and all the media and they didn’t want any disruption.’’
He was then ushered away by stadium officials.
Jackson created a stir late last week when he cast doubt on Rodriguez’s and Pettitte’s chances at being inducted to the Hall of Fame because they each admitted to PED usage.
“Al’s a very good friend, but I think there are real questions about his numbers,” Jackson told SI. “As much as I like him, what he admitted about his usage does cloud some of his records.”
Jackson also was quoted as saying Gary Carter, Jim Rice, Kirby Puckett and Bert Blyleven weren’t worthy of being in the Hall of Fame.
The publishing of his remarks about Carter, who in February died of brain cancer at age 57, upset Jackson and sparked outrage among Carter’s teammates and fans.
Jackson, who did not return phone calls yesterday, told The Post on Friday: “I am very disappointed that’s out there and I am embarrassed. I have a number for his wife [Sandy] and I want to talk to her and the family. That needs to be noted. I am calling to apologize for inappropriate comments while I was talking to friends.’’
Rodriguez, who often talks with Jackson when he is around the club, played coy about Mr. October’s remarks when asked to comment Friday at Fenway Park.
“With friends like that who needs enemies,’’ Rodriguez said with a smile on his face.
Jackson spoke with Rodriguez and Pettitte on Friday and has been in contact with Yankees president Randy Levine.
Noting that Carter died in February, former Mets teammate Ron Darling criticized Jackson’s timing of talking about Carter.
For his part, Jackson was contrite about his comments made at lunch with friends and SI’s Phil Taylor.
Jackson refused to say Taylor misquoted him. And Jackson said he never told Taylor what was on or off the record.