Sean Casey: Grant 'Buck' Jackson was 'like a second father to me' growing up in Pittsburgh

Former Cincinnati Reds bullpen coach and minor-league pitching coach Grant "Buck" Jackson, the winning pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1979 World Series who also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Montreal Expos and Kansas City Royals, died Tuesday at age 78 of COVID-19 complications, the Pirates announced.

--Text: Louisville RiverBats pitcher Jose Rijo, second from left, talks with pitching coach Grant Jackson (23), shortstop Chris Sexton (4), and catcher Corky Miller during the third inning with the bases loaded against the Charlotte Knights on Saturday, July 14, 2001, in Fort Mill, S.C. Rijo, making his third start with the RiverBats, ptiched four innings, walked four, struck out two and gave up two earned runs on five hits. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

"This pandemic has affected every family throughout our community, and the Pirates family is no different," Pirates President Travis Williams said in a statement. "As the winning pitcher for the Pirates in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, Grant was a World Series Champion and All-Star, who remained dedicated to the Pirates and the City of Pittsburgh since his retirement in 1982.