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'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.

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.

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 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.   

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!