Bo Jackson was one of the greatest athletes of all time known for his amazing feats in both football and baseball. While his NFL career was cut short due to injury, Jackson made a huge impact in Major League Baseball and is still regarded as one of the best pure athletes to ever play. Here we will take a look at the top 10 most valuable and sought after Bo Jackson baseball cards from his time playing in the big leagues.
1989 Upper Deck #336 Rookie – A true staple in any baseball card collection, the 1989 Upper Deck Bo Jackson rookie card has endured due to its significance as the premier rookie card issued during his debut MLB season with the Kansas City Royals. Upper Deck was the premier brand in the late 80s and this card stands out with its sharp photography and design elements that still hold up today. In gem mint condition, examples of this card can sell for around $50-75.
1989 Score #733 Rookie – Score was the biggest brand in the late 80s and helped launch Bo Jackson into mainstream popularity. The 1989 Score rookie card features a great action shot and design that highlighted Jackson’s rookie status. Not as scarce as some other issues from that year, this card still has nostalgic appeal and value for completing a Jackson rookie card collection. Near mint copies typically sell in the $50-100 range.
1990 Fleer Update #U-16 – Fleer’s 1990 update set is most famous for including rookie cards for players like Frank Thomas and Gregg Jefferies. Buried within was Bo Jackson’s sophomore card sporting updated stats from his breakout 1989 season. Only available through packs of the update set, this card has nice rarity and appeal for collectors chasing Jackson’s entire set run. Near mint examples will sell for $75-150.
1990 Score #737 – Jackson’s sophomore Score issue built upon the popularity of his rookie card the prior year. With another dynamic action photo and design befitting his burgeoning superstar status, this card is a favorite of many Jackson PC builders. Copies in gem mint to near mint condition command $100-200 due to its rarity relative to some of the bigger 1989 rookie cards.
1990 Fleer #593 – As the flagship brand at the time, Fleer distributed Jackson’s cards to the widest audience possible. The 1990 issue touts his stats and accomplishments from his breakout season. Known for its sharp photography and classic Fleer design, this card remains highly sought after by both collectors and fans. Near mint copies usually trade hands for $125-250.
1990 Donruss #332 – Donruss was arguably the “cool” brand of the late 80s/early 90s and their photography and designs helped cards from that era maintain lasting appeal. The 1990 issue of Jackson is one of the most visually stunning from that period. Near pristine copies in and out of packaging often reach the $250-500 range on auction sites due to the rarity of high grade versions.
1989 Score Traded #TR-BJ – Scarcity is the biggest factor driving the value of Jackson’s premier traded set card issued during his rookie year. Only available through redemption of Score packs sent directly to the company, few remained uncirculated all these years later. Graded mint 9 copies have sold for over $1000 due to the rarity and historical significance to collectors of the modern era.
1990 Ultra #84 – Ultra positioned themselves as the premium brand beyond the big three. Their 1990 Jackson is one of the more visually striking and dynamically composed from his career. Only produced for one year and not as widely distributed at the time further enhances the rarity. Near pristine PSA/BGS gem mint 10 examples have reached the $1500-2500 range.
1990 Bowman #1 – As the “official” rookie card issuer,Bowman’s 1990 issue of Jackson holds iconic status. With its classic white border design and perfect encapsulation of his debut success, this card is the most significant in tracking his career arc. High end PSA/BGS 10s in the scarce original plastic packaging have exceeded the $5000 price point.
1989 Fleer Traded #T206 – The true “holy grail” of Jackson’s card portfolio is unequivocally the 1989 Fleer Traded release. Only obtainable by redeeming mail-in Fleer packs, very few of these ultra rare versions survived in top condition. One recent near-pristine PSA/BGS 10 sale fetched an astonishing $32,000, cementing its status as arguably the most valuable non-rookie modern era traded card issue.
In conclusion, Bo Jackson’s legendary athletic career and cultural impact has ensured strong collector demand exists even decades after his playing days concluded. While the rookie cards will likely always hold top dollar value due to rarity and significance as his debut issues, cards like the 1990 Donruss and Ultra highlight how even mainstream issues from his peak seasons have appreciated tremendously as interests in high-end vintage sports memorabilia expands. With Jackson etched in so many fans memories as the purest athlete of his generation, it’s hard to envision interest or prices declining any time soon for these iconic representations of arguably football and baseball’s ultimate dual-sport star.
