Reggie Jackson joined the Yankees as a free agent before the 1977 season, and controversy ensued almost immediately. There was the "straw the stirs the drink" quote in Sport Magazine, a comment that also dissed captain Thurman Munson and one Jackson denied making. There was his dugout confrontation with Billy Martin in June during the NBC Game of the Week telecast after the manager pulled Jackson from the outfield in the middle of an inning. And there was his spectacular three home-run performance in Game 6 of the World Series that clinched the Yankees' first title since 1962.

All of that took an emotional toll on him, Jackson tells HBO's "Real Sports" in an episode that premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT Tuesday. Here's a preview: