Bo Jackson was one of the most electrifying and unique athletes of all time due to his rare abilities to compete at elite levels in both professional baseball and football. While his NFL career was cut short due to a serious hip injury, Jackson made his mark in Major League Baseball for a few seasons in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a strong and speedy outfielder with the Kansas City Royals. Given his superb athletic talents and short yet impressive big league career, vintage Bo Jackson baseball cards have become highly sought after by collectors in recent decades. Some of the scarcest and most valuable Jackson baseball cards were issued during his rookie season of 1986 and over the next few years as the full extent of his abilities became evident. Here are some of the rarest and most desirable Bo Jackson baseball cards that can fetch thousands of dollars or more in top condition:

1986 Fleer #498 ROOKIE Card – Considered Jackson’s true rookie card since it was from his first season in the majors, the 1986 Fleer card is one of the keys to any vintage baseball card collection. With its iconic image of a young Jackson swinging a bat, this is perhaps the most iconic of all his baseball cards. In near-mint to mint condition, examples can sell for over $10,000 due to the card’s significance and Jackson’s popularity. Even well-worn copies in played condition still demand several hundred dollars.

1987 Topps Traded #84T – The 1987 Topps Traded set came out midway through the season and was the first release to feature Jackson in a Royals uniform. As a fairly early traded set issue, it has considerably lower print runs than the base 1987 Topps cards. Mint copies are rare and have sold for upwards of $5,000. Even in lower grades, this remains a very valuable Jackson rookie variant.

1986 Sportflics #49 – Sportflics was a short-lived baseball card brand in the 1980s but its 1986 rookie issue of Jackson is one of the scarcest. The set had an exceptionally small printing and nearly all examples show signs of wear due to the thin, poor quality cardboard used. Getting a copy in absolute mint condition would be similar to finding a four-leaf clover – almost impossible. As a result, even lower grade versions command premium prices north of $2,000.

1987 Donruss Diamond Kings #70 – The Diamond Kings subset was highly popular in 1980s Donruss sets for highlighting top young talent. This particular Jackson issue stands out for its dazzling blue color borders and embedded diamond accent. Well-preserved copies with strong centering can sell for over $1,500. It serves as a really visually striking addition to any Jackson collection.

1989 Score #150 – While later in Jackson’s career, this card stands out for being from one of his best statistical seasons where he blasted 32 home runs and stole 27 bases. The colorful cardboard stock and action pose make for a real eye-catching design too. Near-mint copies have sold for upwards of $800 in recent years.

1986 Fleer Update #U-5 – As an update issue inserted late in 1986 packs, this Jackson has much lower printed numbers than the base rookie. The card also uses a rare action photo not seen elsewhere. In gem mint condition, it has reached auction prices over $750. Even well-centered excellent copies trade hands for $500 or more.

1987 Topps Traded Autograph – While incredibly rare, this signed Traded rookie variant occasionally surfaces for auction. Only a tiny handful are known to exist with Jackson’s actual autograph on the card. In 2013, PSA graded one as authentic and in pristine gem mint condition – it ended up selling for nearly $28,000! Needless to say, a basic unsigned copy is still valued highly north of $1,000.

1991 Upper Deck #1 – Upper Deck’s highly acclaimed inaugural baseball card set saw Jackson pictured in a Royals uniform for the last time. By this point he was still an elite player but injuries were beginning to slow him down. Even so, a flawless mint copy can draw bids above $500 due to the card’s historic significance from the first year of Upper Deck issues.

1990 Leaf #57 – One of Jackson’s last new cards before retiring, this Leaf image stands out for capturing him in excellent action below the crown logo. Higher graded examples have cracked the $400 sales range when in top condition with sharp edges and colors. It represents the brief tail end of his MLB career.

Vintage Bo Jackson baseball cards from his early years with the Royals in the 1980s are undoubtedly some of the most valuable issues for athletes of that era. Examples that can be found in pristine gem mint condition with perfect centering areworth thousands to collectors due to Jackson’s unique athletic talents and short career. Even well-preserved copies in near-mint to excellent condition still command four-figure values of $1,000 or more for his true 1986 rookie card and other prized variants. With Jackson’s recent passing at the young age of 59 in 2021, interest and prices for these rare pieces of sports card history honoring his career are likely to remain very strong for decades to come.