On this day in 1989, President Ronald Reagan was sportscasting the All-Star game when Bo Jackson hit an epic home run.
Bo Jackson was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1982, but instead took the opportunity to play football for Auburn. After finishing his extraordinary college career he was drafted first pick in the NFL. But this time he went to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals.
Most were skeptical about Jackson’s ability to be a great baseball player. He was often asked, “When are you going back to football, Bo?”
“Every day I hear the same thing,” Jackson said. “People always are telling me I made a mistake, that I should have played pro football. “
During that All-Star game, Reagan said, “But I also played [football] for real in a much earlier time. But that, Bo down there, that’s an interesting hobby he has for his vacation. When baseball ends he winds up playing football. I just don’t know …”
But Reagan couldn’t finish his sentence as Jackson slammed a home run and the crowd erupted.
“Bo Jackson says hello!”
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