Sports Wax Episode 10: The Greatest Athlete in the World
After a brief hiatus, Sports Wax is back with a brand-new episode, and host Brad Riddell dives into the All-Star Game that first made him a fan — and the athlete who stole the show: Bo Jackson.
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The Launchpad: July 11, 1989
It was a star-studded night in Anaheim. The 1989 MLB All-Star Game featured legends like Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., and Tony Gwynn. But the loudest cheers were for a young outfielder named Bo Jackson.
Jackson wasn’t just a rising star — he was a two-sport phenom already known for highlight-reel moments on both the diamond and the gridiron. That night, leading off for the American League, Bo crushed a home run on the very first pitch he saw. He added a single, a stolen base, and the All-Star Game MVP trophy to his growing legend.
But how did Bo Jackson get there? That’s the story this episode tells.
The Origin of a Legend
From his dominant high school days in Alabama to college stardom at Auburn, Bo Jackson rewrote expectations. He was a wrestling champion, a track star, a slugging outfielder, and, of course, a devastating running back.
He shocked Alabama fans by choosing Auburn. He broke their hearts by dominating the Iron Bowl two years in a row. And in 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy.
But then came a twist.
Draft-Day Subterfuge and Baseball Dreams
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Bo No. 1 overall in 1986, he refused to play for them. A botched pre-draft visit had cost him the rest of his baseball season, and Bo smelled sabotage.
So he walked away from football.
Instead, Bo signed with the Kansas City Royals and debuted in MLB later that year. But that wasn’t the end of the story.
Al Davis and the Raiders came calling.
Bo Knows Football
Bo joined the Raiders in 1987, and by Nov. 30 on Monday Night Football, he was a sensation. That night in Seattle, Bo ran for 221 yards, three touchdowns, and one unforgettable image: sprinting 91 yards, then straight into the locker room tunnel.
By 1989, he was the ultimate crossover athlete, starring in Nike ads, video games, and highlight reels. He was doing things no one else could do — and doing them in two sports at once.
The All-Star Moment
And that brings us back to the 1989 All-Star Game. Reagan and Scully were in the booth. America was watching. And Bo delivered. A leadoff home run. A stolen base. A standing ovation.
It was the peak of Bo-Mania.
The Injury That Changed Everything
In 1991, a hip injury in the NFL playoffs abruptly ended Bo Jackson’s football career. He would return to baseball briefly with the White Sox and Angels, even hitting a memorable home run in his first at-bat of the 1993 season.
But the magic faded. Bo walked away from professional sports in 1994.
Why This Episode Matters
Bo Jackson’s career was short. But his legend is eternal.
This episode of Sports Wax isn’t just about stats or games. It’s about the awe Bo Jackson inspired. The dominance. The highlight plays. The way he made you believe the impossible might just happen every time he took the field.
Take a listen, and remember the moment when Bo Jackson truly became the greatest athlete in the world.