1990 Classic #T26

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought Online

Okay, technically this isn't a Bo Jackson card. It's a Nolan Ryan card where he is holding a Bo Jackson card. The card in question that the Ryan Express is holding is a 1987 Classic #369. This is one of Bo's most popular rookie cards and features him in his Auburn baseball and football gear. Nolan & Bo actually have a history with each other. Nolan once took a Bo hit to the face and was still able to throw him out! The bloody face & jersey of Nolan after the hit would become an iconic image of the time.

Then in 1993 Bo helped save Nolan Ryan after he hurled a fastball to the ribs of Robin Ventura! In his words Ryan said "All I remember is that I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to black out and die, when all of a sudden I see two big arms tossing bodies off of me. It was [Chicago’s] Bo Jackson. He had come to my rescue, and I’m awful glad he did, because I was about to pass out. I called him that night and thanked him.”

Two great players intertwined in the history of baseball. This card show cases the bond between the two. Even though Ryan looks like he wants nothing to do with the photo shoot, he will forever be linked to Bo Jackson and their greatness on the diamond.

1990 Classic #2

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Trade With Friend

Nothing too notable about this base card from Classic. The front totally screams 90s and could have been used in the intro to "Saved By The Bell". I actually like the blend of hot pink tears on the dark blue background. The back is classic Classic (see what I did there?), lack of season stats, inclusion of career stats and of course baseball trivia! Photo on the front is okay. Not great, but okay.

1987 Classic #109

Type: Base/Rookie Card

Acquired: Bought Online

This card can be viewed as a rookie card for Bo, but since it was a 1987 release I don't really follow that rule. The photo on the front is very nice and offsets the bland yellow border. I do like the little banner graphic that contains the players name though. The back features Classic cards typical trivia questions. It also features Bo's stats from his career on the diamond at Auburn University. Maybe it is a rookie card? I don't know!!!

1992 Classic #108

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought Online

This card has a nice look to it, almost like it was meant to be a poster hanging on some Bo Jackson fanatic back in the early 90s. I know I had something similar to this on my wall from the Chicago White Sox days. The front of the card is very colorful and includes a nice at bat photo of Bo and the color is nicely complimented by the all white back of the card. The back leaves a ton of stats out and it would have been nice to see Jackson's stats from previous years.

1990 Classic #59

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought at a Show

Here it is, another multi-player card! If you've read this blog before you'll know that I love these types of cards. They put some of the best players of the era that you would never see together on the field at the same time. It was almost like a dream game put together on a piece of cardboard. This card features a trio of American League "Fence Busters" including Mark McGuire, Reuben Sierra and of course the big, bad man himself...Bo Jackson! The totally 90s graphics on the front are some of my favorites from the era and the back as always has some baseball trivia. Great card with some legendary players. I'm all about that!

1991 Classic #186

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought At Show

I love this card! On January 13, 1991 in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Bo Jackson injured his hip so badly that everyone assumed his sports career was over! Well, Bo don't know the meaning of give up and after a successful surgery and months of rehab, Bo was ready to play ball again. I was heartbroken as a Bo fan when people were suggesting his career was over then he signed with the White Sox and some sort of joy was brought back to my young world. This card signifies to me, the return of my sports idol, an athletic icon and an impossible journey that not many people could have made. His smile in this photo says, "I'm back and ready to demolish some fastballs" and I love it! 

1989 Classic #122

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Trade With Friend

I always liked the different approach Classic took with their card photography. They always went a little bit different than what was the norm. Most cards would have a pre-posed Bo looking at the camera or a shot of him at the plate waiting for the ball to be thrown. This card though, has a shot of Bo just milliseconds away from knocking the snot out of a fastball. You can even see the ball blurring by in the card! Great action shot on the front and typical Classic card back with stats and trivia questions. Who knew a batter could be called out even if the 3rd strike hit him? 

1991 Classic #T48

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Trade with Friend

Not much to say about this card. It's your standard Classic card featuring a nice photo of Bo watching his latest home run exit the park. The back features stats from the past season and lifetime stats. Also, the traditional Classic trivia returns. Who knew the Seattle Mariners hadn't had a winning season up until 1991 when they went 83-79?

1990 Classic #T25

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought at Show

This card is totally rad! From the sweet neon pink border with neon blue slashes to the extreme font style on the front this card is definitely of it's time. I believe that's what really makes this a great card. It doesn't hold back in it's reflection of what was popular in the 90s. I also love this card because it shows Bo holding his All-Star game MVP trophy. During the 1989 mid-season classic, Bo went 2 for 4 with 1 home run and 2 RBI.

1988 Classic #208

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Bought at Card Show

Classic does it again! Giving us another unusual pose on our Baseball Cards. It looks like Bo is either getting ready to wind up for a softball style pitch or take off like Superman. You be the judge. Although it is an awkward stance, it still is something unique that Classic gives us. Oh and don't forget the Classic trivia on the back! Who knew Tom Seaver started 16 opening day games?

1989 Classic #157

Type: Base Card

Acquired: Via Trade

Classic always had great shots on their cards, and this one is no exception! Bo in the batting cages! I used to work with a guy who was a pitcher in the KC Royals farm system around the time Bo was playing for them and he said anytime Bo took BP, everyone stopped whatever they were doing to see how far he would smash the ball. He was that kind of talent. Another great thing about the early Classic cards was the trivia at the bottom. These cards were part of a game, but I don't know of anyone who ever played it. They were a good source of sports knowledge nonetheless!