Yet Jackson, an adviser for the New York Yankees, said before Game 6 on Wednesday that he can't help but be impressed by Utley's record-tying five home runs this World Series and looks forward to meeting him.

"I don't know him, but if I meet him before it's all over," Jackson said, "I'll tell him. 'You're good. Now stop.' I don't mind him breaking (the record), as long as we win."

Utley, the Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, hit his fourth and fifth homers of the Series in Game 5 to tie Jackson, who set the record in 1977 when the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. Utley, who had six homers and 10 RBI in 15 playoff games this year, has seven career World Series homers, the most by a second baseman.

"I've heard so many great things about him," Jackson said. "How he has an old-school personality and could play in any era. I was very impressed when I read his comments that he didn't want to talk about the record, saying, 'Hey, we're down 3-2. It's about winning the World Series, not individual accomplishments.' That makes sense to me. That's what it's all about — winning.

"The nice thing was when I broke the record (hitting three in Game 6) it was the final game. I couldn't screw it up the next day."

Jackson says he is not surprised it has taken 32 years for his record to be matched, but it would have been an empty feeling for him if it didn't culminate in a championship. It's what makes the accomplishments of Utley, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera so unique, Jackson says.

"They're not just piling up numbers," Jackson said, "but putting up numbers for a winning cause. I walk into my own clubhouse, and I see a couple of Mr. Octobers already there in Derek and Mariano. I take it as a compliment to be included."

Enlarge By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Reggie Jackson, above, says he's looking forward to meeting the Phillies' Chase Utley.