LOS ANGELES − Reggie Jackson, famously known as Mr. October, is faced with a difficult decision.

He has an invitation from Los Angeles owner Pete O’Malley to witness Game 1 of the World Series this Friday (8:08 p.m. ET, Fox) at Dodger Stadium.

Additionally, he receives an invitation from New York owner Hal Steinbrenner to be at the first World Series game between the Dodgers and Yankees in 43 years.

What does a legendary Hall of Famer choose?

“I honestly don’t know,” Jackson remarked to YSL News Sports. “If I join Peter O’Malley, I could meet Sandy Koufax. That would be amazing. But I’m a Yankee at heart, not a Dodger.”

A potential solution may be to attend Game 1 with O’Malley and then Game 3 with Steinbrenner as the series moves to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Monday.

No matter where he ends up, it’s clear that Jackson’s loyalty runs deep, despite parting ways with the Yankees organization and taking on a role as a special adviser for the Houston Astros.

“I have a fondness for the Dodgers,” Jackson stated. “I’ve always wanted to play for them. Duke Snider was my guy, Duke from Flatbush. Their infield featuring Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey was outstanding. Add in their impressive outfield with Reggie Smith and Dusty Baker, along with great pitching – they had an incredible team.

“Yet, I’m a Yankee at heart, my friend. My Hall of Fame cap proudly displays the pinstripes. Who do you think I’ll be cheering for?

“I must support the Yankees.”

Jackson finds it hard to believe that the last Yankees-Dodgers World Series clash took place back when he was still playing, in 1981. During his playing days, a matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers felt almost routine.

“I always enjoyed going up against the Dodgers,” Jackson shared. “They symbolized Hollywood glamour. There was sunshine, and everyone seemed to have blonde hair. They were stylish, wearing sunglasses.

“Meanwhile, we were those tough guys from New York, gritty and hard-nosed. Those pinstripes always made us a target. I recall Mariano Rivera once telling me, ‘Reggie, I had no idea those pinstripes were so despised.’

“That’s what makes this World Series so thrilling. You have LA with its Hollywood flair paired with New York, the financial powerhouse. Two of the most iconic franchises in sports history.

“They are engrained in American culture.”

This historical matchup marks the 12^th time these teams have faced each other in the World Series, which is five more times than any other pairing. Jackson faced the Dodgers for the first time in the World Series in 1977, creating one of baseball’s most memorable moments by hitting three home runs in succession off three different pitchers. He boasted a .450 batting average during the series, with five home runs, eight RBIs, and a remarkable 1.792 OPS.

That moment birthed the legend of Mr. October.

“That was a unique experience,” Jackson recalled. “Interestingly, people often mention my third home run, but the second one (against Elias Sosa) was the toughest of the three. If I had got it higher, it would have struck the scoreboard.”

The teams met again in 1978 after the Yankees made a stunning comeback from a 14-game deficit against the Boston Red Sox. Jackson hit .391 with two home runs and a 1.196 OPS, helping the Yankees rally after losing the first two games to win the Series 4-2.

“That was a remarkable year for us, that comeback was something special,” Jackson said, “and to seal it with a championship was the cherry on top.”

The final face-off took place during the 1981 strike-shorted season. After dropping the first two games with Jackson sidelined from an injury, the Dodgers proceeded to win the next four games, claiming their first World Series title since 1965.

“In that series, we were simply defeated,” Jackson reflected. “I can’t say we lost; we were outperformed by a better team.

“Honestly, I wasn’t eager to play them again. We had already beaten them twice. They were ready to win, and we could sense their determination.”

That year marked Jackson’s final season as a Yankee and the last time the two iconic teams faced off in the World Series. The Yankees would not make the playoffs again until 1995.

“It’s a remarkable memory,” Jackson stated. “It’s surprising to think that it was the last time.”

The 1981 Series is still remembered for its boast of star players. There were eight future Hall of Famers participating, with a ninth on the way as Baker is set for induction as a manager.

The lineup included Jackson, Goose Gossage, Dave Winfield, and manager Bob Lemon from the Yankees.

Adding to that were starter Don Sutton and manager Tommy Lasorda from the Dodgers.

Behind the plate, umpire Doug Harvey and legendary commentator Vin Scully added to the illustrious cast.

This upcoming World Series could rival that star power, boasting six former MVPs, making it the richest in history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

There are eight potential future Hall of Famers in this matchup.

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, Freddie Freeman, Gerrit Cole, and, of course, the injured three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw are all stars in the spotlight. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who has led the Dodgers to four World Series appearances within eight years, is likely to secure a spot in Cooperstown should he capture another World Series title.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman, with a history of four World Series wins, six pennants, and 14 division titles under his belt, appears to be a surefire candidate for the Hall of Fame. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, who has steered both the Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays to 13 playoff spots, five pennants, and a World Series championship, is on the cusp as well. Additionally, Yankees play-by-play announcer John Sterling is a strong contender to join Vin Scully in the broadcasting section of the Hall of Fame.

This gives us 11 compelling Hall of Fame hopefuls without even reaching for more extravagant suggestions.

“This World Series will spark a lot of memories,” Jackson commented. “You couldn’t ask for two better brands to compete. When you think of top organizations, the Yankees and Dodgers come to mind, alongside others like the Celtics, Lakers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cowboys.”

“The Yankees and Dodgers signify greatness in baseball. They have been well-managed. Take George Steinbrenner for example; he was a class act who never hesitated to invest in his team and treated his players with respect, avoiding any messy contract disputes. It was always first-rate all around.

“The O’Malley family has also significantly impacted the Dodgers. I often tell Peter O’Malley that it was because of him and his father that Jackie Robinson broke into baseball. They didn’t have to take that step; they could have stayed in the shadows. Instead, they were right up front.”

Now, the stage is set for them to face off once more, with the Dodgers aiming for their first World Series title in a full season since 1988, while the Yankees seek their first since 2009.

Jackson refrains from forecasting the outcome, but shares the same curiosity as everyone else about whether a modern-day Mr. October will shine through.

Aaron Judge, who smashed 58 home runs this season, struggles with a .203 batting average in his postseason career, making him a potential game-changer for the series, according to Jackson.

“Judge possesses remarkable talent,” said Jackson. “Watch out. If he heats up, he can turn the tide against you.”

Ohtani, who like Judge has yet to experience a World Series, could definitely lead the Dodgers on an impressive journey. And, it’s crucial not to overlook Betts.

“If you allow Ohtani to dominate, you might just forget about Betts,” Jackson noted. “If this series extends to seven games, Betts is likely to collect 13 hits, hit a few home runs, and drive in six or seven runs.”

“He’s in the conversation for being the best player in the game right now.”

And, naturally, there’s Soto, who stands to become one of the top-paid players in baseball after this World Series, with his free-agent value expected to soar over $500 million.

“He’s going to rake in a lot of cash,” Jackson stated. “Whether he’ll land Ohtani-like money (10 years, $700 million) is uncertain. That was shocking to see. Soto is an excellent player, but he doesn’t have Ohtani’s dual-threat capability; he doesn’t pitch and isn’t hitting 50 home runs. Regardless, he’s set for a big payday.

“I wish I were in his position.”

Jackson, who is hosting “The Reggie Jackson Softball Classic” this Sunday, which may be one of the last events at the Oakland Coliseum (“It’s difficult to witness the departure of all of Oakland’s sports teams”), concludes that the team committing the fewest basic errors will likely claim the World Series trophy.

“Anticipate many fantastic plays,” Jackson said, “but there will be a few mistakes as well. If either team gets an extra out, it could spell disaster for them. Losing a game due to a silly mistake is a disservice to how the game should be played.”

Moreover, Jackson has observed that pressure can lead individuals to behave in unpredictable ways, impairing their performance.

“Pressure is part of the game,” Jackson expressed. “It’s the reality for players like Ohtani, Judge, and Betts. You’re expected to perform. The same goes for someone like [Yankees ace] Gerrit Cole. ‘Hey, they’re paying you $40 million a year; when are you going to pitch a shutout?’ As a No. 1 starter, allowing four runs is unacceptable. …

“The winning team will be the one that effectively manages the other team’s offense. The Dodgers can aggressively score runs, and the Yankees are a powerful home run-hitting team. The question is, who will out-pitch the other?”

“I honestly have no clue how this will unfold, but like everyone else, I’m eager to see what happens.”