April 09, 1993: Bo's dramatic comeback

Bo Knew

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Bo Jackson had a flair for the dramatic to the point of being unbelievable. On opening day in 1993, on his first swing, after recovering from a football injury many thought would end his sports playing days, he hit a home run.

Jackson was a two-sport star; a Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn, an all-pro running back for the Oakland Raiders, and a major league baseball all-star mostly for the Kansas City Royals. On January 13, 1991 Jackson injured his hip playing in an NFL playoff game. It caused a deteriorating hip condition. The hip had to be replaced. His football career was over, but Jackson said he would return to major league baseball, a promise doctors thought was highly unlilkely. Bo knew.

His 1993 comeback became complete later that season when he hit another dramatic home to the clinch the Western Division. When first hit eyewitnesses thought the towering popup may be caught by the shortstop in short left, but it kep carrying. The left fielder would certainly catch it, if it ever came down. The ball hung in the air. Seattle left fielder Brian Turang seemed to wander along the left field wall for minutes, until the ball game down in the bleachers.

Contributing Sources:
September 27, 1993 box score/play-by-play
Bo Jackson Statistics
Bo Jackson-ESPN

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