Starting Nine: Bo Knows Home Runs

Written by: Craig Muder

The Hall of Fame's Starting Nine includes must-see artifacts from every big league team. Check out the Royals Starting Nine online.

It was the bottom of the first inning at the 1989 All-Star Game in Anaheim, Calif., and NBC’s Vin Scully was chatting with a special guest in the booth: Former United States President Ronald Reagan.

The Royals’ Bo Jackson settled into the batter’s box to lead off the frame, and took the first pitch from the Giants’ Rick Reuschel low for ball one.

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“That’s a pretty interesting hobby he has for his vacation,” President Reagan said, referring to Jackson’s other pro career as a running back for the NFL's Los Angeles Raiders.

Reuschel then delivered his second pitch, which was also a bit low and slightly more inside, missing the outside target of Padres catcher Benito Santiago.

Jackson put his head down and swung.

“He’s remarkable… and look at that one!” Scully said as Reds center fielder Eric Davis turned, took a few steps and then futilely watched the ball nearly clear the batter’s eye in center field. “Bo Jackson says hello!”

For Jackson – who entered the game tied for the AL lead in home runs with 21 – it was another in a string of “wow” moments that defined his career.

Jackson was in the middle of his third full season with the Royals when he was named to his first All-Star Game in 1989. He put together his best MLB season that year, hitting 32 home runs, scoring 86 runs, totaling 105 RBI and stealing 26 bases.

In addition to his 448-foot home run, Jackson had a single and an RBI groundout in the All-Star Game, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the American League’s 5-3 victory on July 11, 1989.

Though a severe hip injury he suffered with the Raiders interrupted his MLB career, Jackson played eight seasons – including two with an artificial hip.

The cap Jackson wore during the 1989 All-Star Game is on display in the Museum’s Whole New Ballgame exhibit.


Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Starting Nine

The Hall of Fame's Starting Nine is a lineup of must-see artifacts from our vast collection containing tens of thousands of pieces that preserve the magical moments and memorable stories of our National Pastime. Our curators have spent countless hours hand-picking special objects from every major league team to create a lineup of pieces you simply won’t believe we have!