Meet Bo Jackson

BO JACKSON
"Bo Knows"

Positions: Leftfielder
Full Name: Vincent Edward Jackson
Bats: Right - Throws: Right
Born: November 30, 1962, in Bessemer, Alabama
Organizations: Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, California Angels

Bo Jackson

BO JACKSON'S WALL OF GLORY

HONORS AND AWARDS
  • All-Star: 1 (1989)
  • All-Star MVP: 1 (1989)
FIELDING
  • Assists as LF: 2 (1988, 1990)
WHO?

Bo Jackson is a former professional baseball and football player. He is regarded by some people as one of the greatest athletes of all time, given that he was the first player to be named an All-Star in MLB and NFL. He played baseball between 1986 and 1994, and football between 1987 and 1990 (with the Oakland Raiders). Jackson was one of the most popular baseball players during his career.

Bo Jackson | Bo jackson, Sports, Kc royals baseball

He was considered to have a raw talent (as his low AVG and high SO rate could demonstrate), but he was a physical wonder. In his first full season in MLB, defending the left field for the Kansas City Royals (1987), Bo Jackson got 22 HR, 53 RBI, and 10 SB. In 1989 Jackson was selected to start in the All-Star Game as LF and was named the game's MVP, for both his defense and offense.

Bo jackson on emaze | Bo jackson, Chicago white sox, Jackson


During an NFL playoff game, Bo Jackson suffered a career-ending hip injury. He was released by the Royals 2 months later. The Chicago White Sox signed him 16 days later. he played in 23 games for his new team as DH, and then missed the whole 1992 season due to completing hip replacement surgery. He performed well in his return to MLB, hitting 16 HR with 45 RBI in 85 games, but he was evidently slower (just 9 doubles) and didn't steal any base. He was named Comeback of the Year.

Bo Jackson California Angels | Bo jackson, Best baseball player ...

Bo Jackson finished his career in 1994 with the California Angels. That was a short season (because of the 1994-1995 baseball strike) and Jackson decided to retire. His final stats were: .250 AVG, 141 HR, 415 RBI, and 82 SB in 8 seasons.   


Bo Jackson | Society for American Baseball Research

MY COMMENT:

Back in those days, it was a common understanding that a player could not perform at a top level in 2 different professional sports. Bo Jackson proved them wrong.

The powerful, two-sports phenomenon was not just a feared slugger, able to bat monstrous home runs, but also had a cannon for an arm, and was fast, too. In 1988 Jackson became the first Royal in history with 25 HR and 25 SB. 

Being a free swinger as he was, have some consequences: low AVG and BB (career-high: 44 in 1990), and a lot of SO (AL leader in 1989 with 172). But he was cheered because of his power (32 HR in 1989)and his cannon-like arm.

It will forever be one of the greatest "what ifs" in MLB history. If he hadn't been injured playing football, he surely could have had a very interesting and productive career as an MLB hitter. He should have played just baseball ... Or it was too good because he played football, too.

A big "what if".

BEST FIVE SEASONS
Year Age Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS Pos
1987 24 KCR AL 116 396 46 93 17 2 22 53 10 30 158 .235 .296 .455 .750 *78/9D
1988 25 KCR AL 124 439 63 108 16 4 25 68 27 25 146 .246 .287 .472 .758 *79/8D
1989 26 KCR AL 135 515 86 132 15 6 32 105 26 39 172 .256 .310 .495 .805 *7D/8
1990 27 KCR AL 111 405 74 110 16 1 28 78 15 44 128 .272 .342 .523 .866 87D
1994 31 CAL AL 75 201 23 56 7 0 13 43 1 20 72 .279 .344 .507 .851 7/D9
Note: If you are using a cell phone to look at this table, put it horizontally for a better experience
What do you think? What kind of stats Bo Jackson would end with if he played baseball longer and injury-free? Share your thoughts!

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