The (leather) gloved one -- or four

I debated a headline of "Billy Beane is at my door," but it just didn't work.

Michael Jackson isn't a wacky name, but only four professional ballplayers have carried the moniker, according to Baseball-Reference.com. In honor of the gloved one, let's honor the four men who wore another kind of glove.

Two Michael Jacksons made it to the majors -- both pitchers, and both as Mike Jackson. Michael Warren Jackson, a lefty, played parts of four seasons in the early 1970s. Born March 27, 1946, in Paterson, N.J., he was signed by the Phillies in 1964. Jackson played his final game in 1973 with Cleveland, finishing with a 5.80 ERA. No word on where Mike is now.

The other major leaguer, Michael Ray Jackson, had a significantly more successful career. This Mike Jackson, a righty born in December 1964, pitched 17 seasons, retiring in 2004 with a 3.42 ERA. His teams: the Phillies, Mariners, Giants, Reds, Indians, Astros, Twins and White Sox. He saved 40 games for the Indians in 1998 and is tied with Paul Assenmacher for most games pitched in the 1990s -- 644. Once again, not sure where he's at these days. Anyone?

We complete our MJ homage with two Michael Jacksons who didn't quite make it to the big stage. Known only as Michael T. Jackson, this guy was drafted in the ninth round by the Texas Rangers out of Virginia's Appomattox High School in 1985. He batted .190 in 33 rookie-league games, which apparently wasn't good enough for the next level.

Texas must have a thing for these guys, because in 1993 they drafted pitcher Michael J. Jackson out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. And, just for good measure, Texas Texas Texas Texas. This Michael pitched 15 games and compiled a 5.88 ERA.