On January 26, 1960, 32 year old Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Jensen announces his retirement a year after winning the MVP award, only months after enjoying one of his best seasons-28 home runs, 112 RBIs, and a .277 average.
The Red Sox right fielder retired because of an intense fear of flying that had plagued him for years—at a time flying had become the primary form of transportation for major league clubs. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey tried to help Jensen overcome his fear by arranging therapy, but neither psychologists nor hypnotists could provide a workable solution. Jensen would drive between cities when he could and relied on tranquilizers when he was forced to fly
The decision came after six stellar seasons with Boston in which Jensen batted .285, posted an .868 OPS and averaged 28 doubles, 26 homers and 112 RBIs a season. He drew MVP votes in five of those seasons and finished first in balloting in 1958, when he posted career highs in homers (35), RBIs (122), walks (99), slugging (.535) and OPS (.931).
Jensen retired to his home in Lake Tahoe, sat out the 1960 campaign, but missed the game enough to return in 1961, when the American League expanded and added a team in Los Angeles. That added more flight time, which didn’t make life easier, and Jensen, who saw his power disappear and was disappointed in his performance in ’61, retired for good following the season.
