Jackie Jensen, an American professional baseball player, is remembered for his impressive career as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. Born on March 9, 1927, in San Francisco, California, Jensen demonstrated athletic prowess from a young age. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he excelled in both baseball and football, becoming the first athlete to play in both the Rose Bowl and the World Series.

Jensen's baseball career began when he signed with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League in 1949. His performance caught the attention of the New York Yankees, who purchased his contract in 1950. Jensen made his major league debut with the Yankees that same year. Although his time with the Yankees was brief, he was part of the team that won the World Series in 1950.

In 1952, Jensen was traded to the Washington Senators, where he began to establish himself as a powerful hitter and skilled outfielder. His tenure with the Senators was short-lived, as he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1954. It was with the Red Sox that Jensen truly flourished, becoming one of the league's top players.

Jensen's time with the Red Sox was marked by several standout seasons. He was known for his strong throwing arm, speed on the bases, and ability to hit for power. In 1955, he led the American League in RBIs with 116, a feat he would repeat in 1958 and 1959. His performance in 1958 earned him the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, a testament to his outstanding contributions to the team.

Throughout his career, Jensen was selected as an All-Star three times, in 1952, 1955, and 1958. He was also recognized for his defensive skills, winning a Gold Glove Award in 1959. Despite his success on the field, Jensen faced challenges off the field, particularly his fear of flying, which was a significant issue given the increasing reliance on air travel in professional sports.

Jensen's fear of flying eventually contributed to his decision to retire from baseball after the 1959 season. However, he returned to the Red Sox for one final season in 1961, before retiring for good. Over the course of his career, Jensen compiled a .279 batting average, hit 199 home runs, and drove in 929 runs.

After retiring from baseball, Jensen pursued a career in business and also worked as a college baseball coach.

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