When compiling a list of the greatest all-around athletes, Bo Jackson is often one of the first names mentioned. To this day, he is the only athlete to appear in a Major League Baseball All-Star Game and a National Football League Pro Bowl. The electrifying moments and unforgettable commercials still make Bo one of the most recognizable sports figures ever. However, once you dig under the flair, what do Bo’s stats show? In particular, let’s look at the back of Bo’s baseball card. Does Bo know stats, too?
An Alabama Legend
The first Jackson baseball number that stands out is that he was drafted three times: by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 1982 MLB Draft, by the Los Angeles Angels in the 20th round of the 1985 MLB Draft, and by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. It isn’t incredibly uncommon for a baseball player to be drafted three times, but Jackson’s case was unique because he was also such a high-profile football prospect. He didn’t sign with either the Yankees or the Angels, so the Royals were able to nab him the third time around.
As for some impressive statistics, while at Auburn, in addition to rushing for over 4,000 yards and winning the Heisman, Bo hit over .400 in baseball his junior season. A teammate of his was future MLB Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Because he was the top overall pick of the 1986 NFL Draft, most experts predicted Jackson would go to the NFL. That is a major reason he was available in the fourth round for the Royals. After an NCAA ruling made Bo ineligible for part of his senior baseball season at Auburn, he temporarily spurned the NFL for MLB.
His MLB Start
Following a very small cup of coffee with their Double AA affiliate, Jackson debuted with the Royals in September of 1986. In 25 games, #16 had 2 homers, 9 RBIs, a .207 batting average, and a .615 OPS. Those aren’t exactly Cooperstown numbers, but when you consider that he barely had two months of minor league seasoning, it is very understandable.
The following two seasons, this two-sport legend gained his footing on the diamond with a combined 47 home runs, 121 ribbies, and a batting average of around .240. In ‘87 and ‘88, he never played close to a full season, playing only 116 and 124 games, respectively. However, he did show his tendency for striking out with over 300 K’s combined in the two-year stretch. As an outfielder, his defense was impressive with an American League-best 12 assists in ‘88.
Bo’s MLB Peak
1989 was unquestionably Bo’s best MLB season. He was an All-Star and even blasted a prodigious home run in that game. In a career high of just 135 games, he had 32 home runs, 102 RBIs, and an .805 OPS. That earned him a top-10 spot in AL MVP voting. He also had that unforgettable throw at the Kingdome to nail Harold Reynolds at the plate. When parsing that season for Jackson, he did lead the AL with 172 K’s. In 1990, Bo had respectable numbers as well: 28 dingers, 78 RBIs, a career-best .272 batting average, and a lower strikeout %.
Bo Jackson with an absolute missile to nail Reynolds. It’s too bad the camera is so bad on this one…kinda feel robbed of one of the greatest throws ever. pic.twitter.com/x3HPo7gIim
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) October 3, 2024
The Decline
Following a devastating hip injury suffered in an NFL game, Bo’s MLB career started to near its end. Although he valiantly returned to play for the Chicago White Sox for two seasons and one with the California Angels, he played in a limited number of games and wasn’t the same player prior to the injury. Jackson retired after the 1994 season at only 31 years old.
Bo’s Statistical Legacy
Jackson’s final MLB stats aren’t overly gaudy, mainly due to limited games played and the devastating effect of a major injury. A career WAR of 8.3 with 141 home runs, 415 RBIs, and a .250 batting average in 694 games seems ordinary. However, his 162-game averages of 33 homers, 97 ribbies, and 80 runs are pretty solid.
If you analyze Jackson’s overall MLB stats, you’re not going to compare him to Hank Aaron. But, if you consider the fact that he played in a very limited number of games and, on top of that, was dealing with the pounding an NFL running back has to endure, his numbers should be viewed with an asterisk. It is very fair to hypothesize that if Jackson solely focused on baseball, he would have been a perennial All-Star. So, however you observe his MLB stats, we know that Bo was one special athlete.
Main Photo Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports