Bo Jackson had one of the most unique and impressive athletic careers of all time. Though his baseball career was cut short due to injury, Jackson made his mark on the diamond as well as the gridiron. As one of the greatest dual-sport athletes ever, Bo Jackson baseball cards from his time with the Kansas City Royals in the late 1980s and early 1990s have become highly valuable collectors items. Several Bo Jackson rookie cards and other rare cards from his playing days are worth significant money today.
Jackson’s baseball career began in 1986 when he was drafted by the Royals in the 4th round out of Auburn University. Despite also being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round of the NFL Draft that same year, Jackson chose to sign with the Royals and begin his professional baseball career. His first baseball card came in 1987 Topps, which marked his official rookie card as a professional baseball player. In pristine gem mint condition, the 1987 Topps Bo Jackson rookie card can fetch over $10,000 today due to its scarcity and significance as Jackson’s true baseball rookie issue.
Other early Bo Jackson baseball cards from 1987-1989 also hold value, though not quite as much as his rookie. The 1987 Fleer Update, 1988 Donruss, and 1989 Topps are some examples of common Jackson issues from his early Royals career that can still sell for a few hundred dollars or more in top condition. As Jackson began to establish himself as a true two-sport star and one of the most exciting young players in baseball during this time, interest and demand for his cards grew.
It was in 1989 that Bo Jackson truly broke out. He was selected to the All-Star Game and posted career highs with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs while batting .256. His dominance was on full display and captured the attention of fans everywhere. As a result, Jackson’s 1989 baseball cards are some of his most valuable today. Highlights include the flagship 1989 Topps Traded card, which has sold for over $1,000 in mint condition. The 1989 Upper Deck, Donruss, and Score issues also command strong prices in top grades.
Tragically, Jackson’s promising baseball career was cut short after just 143 games over four seasons in the majors. On January 13, 1991, while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders, Bo suffered a serious hip injury in a playoff game against the Bengals. The damage to his hip was so severe that he would never play baseball again. This news sent shockwaves through the sports world and increased demand for Jackson memorabilia, including his baseball cards, exponentially.
Cards from Jackson’s final baseball season in 1990 are particularly rare and expensive. His 1990 Topps Traded card has sold for over $2,000 in mint condition due to the card being issued after he was injured and knowing it depicted one of the last images of Bo as a baseball player. Other scarce 1990 issues like Score, Leaf, and Stadium Club also demand premium prices. Even common cards from his rookie year through 1990 that grade well have appreciated greatly due to Jackson’s legendary status and the short supply of his baseball memorabilia still available.
In the decades since his retirement, Bo Jackson has taken on almost mythic proportions as one of the greatest pure athletes ever. His Nike commercial “Bo Knows” from 1991 where he dominates multiple sports cemented his crossover appeal. This growing legacy has continued to drive interest in high-grade Jackson cards among collectors. For example, a PSA 10-graded copy of his flagship 1987 Topps rookie recently sold at auction for an astounding $93,000. Prices remain high for any well-centered, sharply-cornered Bo Jackson rookie or star baseball cards preserved in mint condition.
While he only played parts of five seasons in Major League Baseball, Bo Jackson made an indelible mark on the sport and in the hearts of fans. His status as a rare two-sport star added intrigue and mystique that lives on today. For those who collect vintage sports cards, high-grade examples of Bo flaunting his tools for the Kansas City Royals have proven to be worthwhile long-term investments. Whether a rookie, star issue, or final season release, pristine Bo Jackson baseball cards continue to gain in value and represent some of the most coveted pieces of memorabilia from one of sports’ true super-athletes.
