Bo Jackson had one of the most incredible athletic careers of all time, even if it was tragically cut short. As both a professional baseball and football player in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jackson showed off otherworldly athletic talents that made him a true sports icon and one of the most collectible athletes for fans. His baseball cards from his time playing for the Kansas City Royals in the late 80s and early 90s, including those released through Post Cereal promotions, are some of the most sought after collectibles from that era.
Jackson was drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1986 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy in 1985 as a running back for Auburn. However, Jackson chose to play baseball first and signed with the Kansas City Royals after being drafted by them as well. He made his MLB debut in 1986 and quickly showed off his raw power and speed. In his first full season in 1987, Jackson hit 16 home runs and stole 27 bases, establishing himself as a true five-tool player with potential to be one of the game’s biggest stars.
It was around this time that Post Cereal began including Jackson baseball cards in boxes of their cereal as part of promotions to get kids interested in collecting cards of their favorite players. Post Cereal had a long history of including sports cards in boxes dating back to the late 1950s, helping to popularize the hobby. Their 1987 and 1988 sets featured rookie cards of Jackson amongst the stars of baseball at the time like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. These early Jackson cards captured him in his Royals uniform during his breakout seasons and established him as a rising star to collect.
In 1989, Jackson truly broke out and had his best MLB season. He smashed 32 home runs, stole 27 bases again, and batted .256 with 105 RBIs, making the American League All-Star team and finishing fourth in AL MVP voting. This cemented his status as a superstar, and Post Cereal capitalized on his popularity by featuring him more prominently in their 1989 and 1990 card sets. These cards showcased Jackson in the prime of his baseball career, demonstrating his incredible physique and athletic abilities that made him a unique two-sport talent.
Tragedy would strike Jackson’s career in early 1990. During a playoff game that January, he tore his hip flexor after making an tackle for the Raiders. This gruesome injury required hip replacement surgery and seemed to threaten both his football and baseball careers. Despite the long odds, Jackson attempted a comeback later that year in baseball after rehabbing relentlessly. He returned in August and had a respectable season, hitting .232 with 4 home runs in 70 at-bats down the stretch. Post Cereal honored Jackson’s determination with cards featuring him in his 1990 Royals uniform after overcoming his injury.
In 1991, Jackson seemed fully recovered from his hip injury and was poised to have his best season yet. He launched 6 home runs in April and was hitting over .300 before disaster struck again. On a routine baserunning play, Jackson’s hip dislocated again and required a second replacement surgery, effectively ending his promising baseball career at just 29 years old. Understandably, Post Cereal did not release any new Jackson cards after 1991, as his playing days had come to a premature end.
While his career was cut short, Jackson left a legacy as one of the greatest pure athletes ever seen. His combination of power, speed, and athletic dominance made him truly one-of-a-kind. The baseball cards released of Jackson through Post Cereal’s promotions, especially his rookie issues and those showing his dominance in the late 80s, are some of the most iconic from that era. In the decades since, Jackson’s cards have increased greatly in value as his legend has grown. For collectors and fans of 80s/90s baseball, a complete set of Bo Jackson’s Post Cereal cards serves as a reminder of one of the bright shining stars whose light was extinguished far too soon.
In conclusion, Bo Jackson’s baseball cards released through Post Cereal in the late 1980s and early 1990s perfectly captured perhaps the greatest athlete of his generation during his short but incredible MLB career. As one of the most collectible players from that era, Jackson’s Post cards hold significant nostalgia and value. They stand as a reminder of the raw athletic talents possessed by Bo Jackson before multiple hip injuries robbed fans of seeing just how far his stardom could have grown. Nearly 30 years later, Jackson remains one of the most revered “what if” stories in sports history, with his Post cards as a way for collectors to preserve the memory of his dominance.
