Bo Jackson receives that long-awaited call to Kansas City Royals’ Hall of Fame
Bo Jackson is a lighting bolt in Kansas City Royals history. Now, he will forever be immortalized among their brightest stars.
On Wednesday, the Royals announced that Jackson will be inducted in the organization’s Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined during an on-field ceremony at Kauffman Stadium before the Royals’ June 29 game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Jackson, 61, was elected by the Royals Hall of Fame Veterans Committee. He famously played two sports during his Royals tenure, shagging fly balls in the outfield for Kansas City and running for 100-yard games with the NFL’s Los Angeles Raiders.
His impact was felt in both sports.
“I was floored when I heard about it,” Jackson said of Wednesday’s news. “But the thing with me, when I think about back when I played with Kansas City, it’s not about the things I did, per se, on the field: It’s the camaraderie.
“It’s the friendships and relationships that I made for the time I was there. I still have close friendships and ties with most of the guys.”
Jackson began his Major League Baseball career with the Royals. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of Auburn. In five seasons with KC, he hit .250 with 109 home runs, 313 RBIs and 460 hits in 511 games.
Jackson made his lone All-Star Game appearance in 1989. He won the game’s MVP award and finished top-10 in the American League MVP voting.
While Jackson attributed a lot of his success to his teammates and coaches, he also said former longtime Royals scout Art Stewart played an instrumental role in his development.
“Art took a chance on me,” Jackson said, “and to this day, I honor that man ...
“Without Art Stewart, there wouldn’t have been a relationship between myself and the Kansas City Royals.”
Jackson eschewed an opportunity to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected first overall in the 1986 NFL Draft. Instead, he chose the Royals and began his pro career in the minor leagues.
Jackson, who won the 1985 Heisman Trophy, started out with KC’s Double-A Memphis Chicks in the Southern League. He spent 53 games in the minors before receiving call-up to the Royals.
In 1986, Jackson wrote the first chapter in his major-league story. And it was filled with instant classics. Many remember him throwing out former Seattle Mariners star Harold Reynolds. The terrific outfield assist showcased Jackson’s arm and only added to the aura around his athletic abilities.
Two years later, Jackson robbed four-time All-Star Jack Clark of a home run at Yankee Stadium.
“Some of the things he was able to accomplish in both sports will not be matched,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s not even generational talent. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent. If our guys can compete like he did and play to the extent that he could physically, that would be tremendous.”
Now Jackson will be remembered among the likes of George Brett, Frank White, Mike Sweeney and Amos Otis.
“I’m so happy for my friend Bobo to get that call,” Brett said in a news release. “He was a great teammate and probably the most exciting player I ever played with. You’d see things that no other human could do on a baseball field or a football field. He’s one of the greatest athletes of our time, and it’s an honor to welcome him to the Royals Hall of Fame, where he belongs.”
Jackson will be the 28th member of the Royals’ Hall of Fame. Last season, the Royals inducted former manager Ned Yost.
“The baseball part was easy,” Jackson said. “It’s just the fact I was able to come into a great organization and do the things that I did. The Royals allowed me to blossom.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 10:46 AM.
