Royals Hall of Fame says 'hello' by inducting iconic Bo Jackson

KANSAS CITY -- The legend of Bo Jackson began in Kansas City.

The Royals took a chance drafting the now almost mythical dual-sport athlete, who took over the sports world and generated some of the most legendary moments in baseball history.

And on Saturday, his status as one of the greatest Royals to ever play was solidified with his induction to the Royals Hall of Fame.

“This is where my professional career started, so this is where for me, I became a man in the sports world,” said Jackson, who became the 30th member of the Royals Hall of Fame after former GMs Cedric Tallis and John Schuerholz were inducted on Friday.

“... What it means to me is that my family is welcoming me back home. Coming back home, thinking about the time that I spent here is almost surreal to the point where, you know how they say it takes a community to raise a child? Well, the city of Kansas City molded me to where I am now.

“So I can’t do anything but give thanks, not only to the city, but to the people of the Royals who believed in me .. to ask if I was serious about playing baseball.”

Not only was Jackson serious about his expedition into playing both professional football and baseball, but he excelled at both.

Jackson’s highlights -- whether it’s the incredible throw from the left-field warning track to nab former Mariners infielder Harold Reynolds at the plate, breaking a bat over his head, running up the outfield wall in Baltimore or hitting a leadoff home run in the 1989 All-Star Game -- Bo became larger than life.

“There’s only one greatest athlete of all time, right?,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I think I would side on Bo.”

Jackson entered Kauffman Stadium on Saturday afternoon to a round of applause, riding in the back of a car, waving to the fans during a lap around the same ballpark he played in over three decades ago. Royals legend George Brett spoke about Jackson during a pregame ceremony and Schuerholz, who helped bring Jackson to Kansas City, presented him with his blue jacket before Bo threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Jackson had his best year in 1989, making the All-Star Game after hitting 32 homers and notching 105 RBIs, while also swiping 26 bags. He played parts of eight years in the big leagues, and four in the National Football League, and Jackson is still the only athlete to make the All-Star Game in both leagues.

But it was his time in Kansas City where Jackson learned how to be a professional.

“Learning on the job for me was easy because I didn’t have to do anything but watch and observe George Brett, Willie Wilson, Frank White, Steve Balboni, Jamie Quirk and all the pitchers, Dan Quisenberry,” Jackson said.

“When I came here, I already knew how to run, throw and catch. I just had to carry myself like a big leaguer, and I had some of the greatest teachers in the game.”

Jackson, who collected his first MLB hit off future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton, entered the Royals’ clubhouse on the first day with a mindset he was going to be great. That was his advantage -- in both sports.

“This isn’t from an arrogant standpoint, this is from the fight within me. I knew somebody was going to lose their job,” Jackson said. “That’s just how I’ve lived my life. I’m always striving to be the best, even though a lot of times, I wasn’t. … When I put that uniform on, I always gave 110%. Period. I’m not going to let the guy on the other side of the field out do me.”

But family, that’s what Jackson wanted to be remembered by on Saturday -- not his legendary moments. His grandson, Aiden, sat with him at the podium, answering questions on cues from Bo. Jackson talked about getting barbecue with his entire family, all back at Kauffman Stadium for the first time in over 30 years.

And Jackson’s favorite story to tell of all in a Kansas City uniform? It’s about his family -- a family that now gets to walk into the Royals Hall of Fame, and see Bo’s portrait forever enshrined in Royals greatness.

“Probably my favorite moment … was the day I purposely got thrown out of the game in the first inning,” Jackson said. “I took a pitch right down the pipe, strike three. I knew it was a strike, so I turned around, and I gave the umpire some choice words, and he threw me out the game. I said, 'Thank you.'

“I went to the locker room, took off my uniform, put my clothes on, got in my car, went down on the plaza, and spent the day with my wife and my daughter, who was born that morning ... [I] went to the hospital, got into bed with her, with my daughter beside, and we watched the Royals beat the Brewers that day.”