‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980’s – Card #21

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980’s – Card #21

Bo Jackson – 1986 Donruss ‘The Rookies’

Bo Jackson makes the list and comes very close to cracking the Top 20, but he’s not on the list for being one of the 20 best players to debut during the 80’s.  He’s there for the impact that he left on the game.  And if you compare Bo’s impact alone to his peer’s impact, and kept stats aside, he may even be in the Top 10.

Bo Jackson was dynamic on a scale that very few players reach.  Bo sold tickets.  Bo made the game fun to watch.  Bo kept fans and non-fans glued to the screen to see what he was going to do next.  Bo always entertained.

As the first ‘famous’ 2-Sport athlete to play professionally at the same time in 2 major sports, Bo stood alone.  He was an extremely gifted football player that was also trying to become a great baseball player.  His speed and power helped him, and he dazzled fans with his exciting play.  Whether he was breaking bats over his helmet or running up outfield walls, Bo Jackson always put forth an amazing effort and his popularity soared.

In just 8 seasons, 4 of which he played in less than 90 games, Bo averaged .250.  He displayed power with his 141 home runs and showed off his speed with his 82 stolen bases. 

Injuries kept Bo from becoming a full-time player, and it was a career ending injury on the football field that took him away from both sports at the young age of just 31.  But, during his mid-to-late 20’s, there was no bigger sports superstar in the world than Vincent Edward ‘Bo’ Jackson.