Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Bo Jackson turns 51 years old today.

Vincent Edward Jackson was one of the most exciting players to debut in major league baseball during the 1980’s.  A 2-sport athlete that built a strong following at the University of Auburn, Jackson was a star before he made his professional debut.

And although his career was cut short due to a football injury sustained while playing in the NFL, Bo Jackson offered us some incredible highlights while in the big leagues.  An All-star during the 1989 season, Bo was wildly popular for his ability to crush home runs(141 in 8 seasons), chase down everything in the outfield, and his breaking of bats.

Happy Birthday Bo!!!  And thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime!!!

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Bo Jackson turns 50 years old today.

Vincent Edward Jackson was one of the most exciting players to debut in major league baseball during the 1980’s.  A 2-sport athlete that built a strong following at the University of Auburn, Jackson was a star before he made his professional debut.

And although his career was cut short due to a football injury sustained while playing in the NFL, Bo Jackson offered us some incredible highlights while in the big leagues.  An All-star during the 1989 season, Bo was wildly popular for his ability to crush home runs(141 in 8 seasons), chase down everything in the outfield, and his breaking of bats.

Happy Birthday Bo!!!  And thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime!!!

Happy Anniversary Bo Jackson & Wade Boggs!!!

Happy Anniversary Bo Jackson & Wade Boggs!!!

On this day in 1989, Bo Jackson and Wade Boggs led off the 1989 Major League All-Star game with back-to-back home runs.

I vividly recall watching this game as a youngster living in the Chicago suburbs.  And after the National League was retired in the first inning I was excited to see what Bo Jackson was going to do in his debut at the All-Star Game.

Well, Bo did not disappoint.

And after he touched home while listening to the roar of the crowd, Wade Boggs took center stage.  And he too delivered baseball magic.

It was a sweet start to a great game.  And a memory that I will hold with me for a very, very long time.

Happy Anniversary to Bo Jackson and Wade Boggs!!!

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1988 Score

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1988 Score

Now that my Bo Jackson collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #1 – 1988 Score

As you all know, the 1988 Score baseball card set is a favorite around the ’30-YOC’ household.

And Bo Jackson’s card from that set does not disappoint, not in the slightest.

Here is the card:

 

There are so many elements of this baseball card that I find to be likable.  They are:

• great action photography
• perfectly centered photograph
• bright, vivid border color
• team-themed coloring
• addition of a bold color (Yellow) to solid background

All of that adds up to this card being my favorite in the Bo Jackson collection that I have completed.  While the 1987 Topps card could have earned this ranking due to the memories it conjures up of collecting during my youth, it is not quite as spectacular as this one!

Thanks for reading.

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1987 Topps ‘Future Stars’

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1987 Topps ‘Future Stars’

Now that my Bo Jackson collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #2 – 1987 Topps ‘Future Stars’

As I mentioned before, I had enough of these Bo Jackson cards from the 1987 Topps set to wallpaper a bathroom.  All stored in 9-pocket sheets, I used to be able to flip through several pages of this very card – all with the prospect of Bo Jackson becoming an unreal ball player.

Well, Bo never did quite pan out, but he was a supreme talent – and today he is still collected and sought out by myself and fellow collectors.

Enjoy.

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1990 Score All-Star

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1990 Score All-Star

Now that my Bo Jackson collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #3 – 1990 Score All-Star

One of the many special All-Star moments that still sticks with me today is the start of the 1989 All-Star baseball game.

Bo Jackson led off the game and promptly launched a solo home run to start the game.  His shot gave the AL a 1-0 lead.  The very next hitter was Wade Boggs, and he too launched a home run, taking the lead up to 2-0.

This card, from the 1990 Score baseball card set, does a fantastic job of bringing that All-Star Game memory back to life!! 

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1990 Score ‘Young Superstars’

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1990 Score ‘Young Superstars’

Now that my Bo Jackson collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #4 – 1990 Score ‘Young Superstars’

Wow, just look at the burst of speed that Bo Jackson injected into each attempt at a stolen base!!

He was pretty successful too.

For his career, Bo stole 82 bases.  In 114 attempts, that equates to a 72% success rate.  Not too bad for a football player….

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #5 – 1991 Score ‘Bo Breaker’

Bo Jackson ‘Fab Five’ – Card #5 – 1991 Score ‘Bo Breaker’

Now that my Bo Jackson collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #5 – 1991 Score ‘Bo Breaker’

While certainly not a typical card that makes my criteria for a ‘Fab Five’ post, this card of Bo Jackson sure does bring back some memories of watching Bo play, and fail, the game of baseball.

Bo became famous for several on-the-field reasons: his power, his speed, his thrilling style of play, and for breaking bats over his knees!!

This card takes me back to the late 1980s and early 1990s.  All of a sudden, I feel like listening to Def Leppard…  🙂

I Am Proud To Announce That My Bo Jackson Player Collection Is Now Complete!!!

I Am Proud To Announce That My Bo Jackson Player Collection Is Now Complete!!!

That’s right folks, another player collection from the ’30-YOC’ roster is complete and in the books.   Not a bad way to start off the collecting year, huh??

This collection of Bo Jackson really brings back some great memories from my youth.  I spent a good amount of time collecting Bo as a kid, and still have some very vivid memories of watching him at the plate, in the field, and on the base paths.

Bo Jackson was a player unlike any other – he truly helped take excitement about baseball to another level.  And his effect on sports marketing and advertising should be noted as well.

So, here is it.  A full collection of every major brand release of Bo Jackson baseball cards from his time with the Kansas City Royals:

And remember, as I do with all of my newly completed player collections, next week I will unveil my ‘Fab Five’ cards from the set.  The fun begins next Monday.

Thanks for reading!

Bo Jackson 1991 Donruss Baseball’s Best

Bo Jackson 1991 Donruss Baseball’s Best

Got Blue??

Yes we do!!!

This card is loaded with Blue tones – from the border of the baseball card to Bo’s uniform t0 Bo’s wristbands to Bo’s helmet.

I have plugged all of this data into my ‘Blue Calculator’ and it has reported that 61% of this baseball card is covered in Blue.

🙂