This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/31/2011
Bo Knows a great jersey.
Vincent Bo Jackson thought so much about this offered 1993 Chicago White Sox game worn jersey, that he personally selected it when he donated it to the Hollywood Hard Rock Café.
With his popularity at an all time high, this jersey was rumored to have been a top tourist attraction during the first months of its installation at the famous restaurant chain.
Any sports fan that was active during the late 1980s early 1990s vividly remember the “Bo Knows” Nike advertising campaign. Watching Bo play football, basketball, track, and the saxophone with Bo Diddley inspired a generation of couch potatoes do get off the couch and “Just Do It.”
Due to the lasting results of a hip injury while playing football for the Raiders, Bo Jackson missed the entire 1992 baseball season. After much rehab, Bo Jackson was ready to resume his baseball career. 1993 marked Bo Jackson’s second from last season in the major leagues. In 85 games, Bo Jackson hit 16 HR’s and would be out of baseball after the following season.
Authentic Bo Jackson game worn jerseys are quite rare. To date, this is only the 2nd 1993 Bo Jackson White Sox jersey evaluated by MEARS.
Issued as the home pinstripe style, this button down (6 -four hole pearl buttons) was supplied by Rawlings. The jersey sports the correct style Rawlings tag, 1993-96, per the MEARS jersey tagging database.
The size 48 jersey was correct for Bo Jackson during the era. Additional examples examined by the staff of MEARS used to verify size include:
1990 Home Royals Size 48
1991 Home Royals Size 48
1993 Home White Sox Size 48
Therefore, size 48 is verified as correct for Bo Jackson for the 1993 season.
Russell was verified as the correct supplier of 1993 White Sox home jerseys. Examples used for comparison are:
1993 Jack McDowell
1993 Thomas
1993 Leach
The White Sox sported several variations of strip tags during the 1993 season. MEARS was able to verify this as a correct style when compared to:
1993 Jack McDowell
The strip tag on this example was arranged as: 29 (player number) McDowell (player name) and 1993 (year).
One of the biggest concerns with modern knit jerseys is the lack of game wear. This is NOT the case on this specimen. Evaluated as having heavy game wear, the neck area is loaded with wear, staining (dirt & sweat), the sleeve opening exhibit wear, along with both the front and reverse body shell. Jackson’s “8” on reverse shows signs of wear with fraying to edges of the zig zag anchor stitching. Examination of the “Comiskey Park” sleeve patch also shows wear. The patch is all original.
Our consignor purchased this jersey directly from the Hollywood Hard Rock Café and was told this was personally donated by Bo Jackson and one of the franchises most popular exhibits. A signed letter of provenance from our consignor will accompany this lot. Like Bo said, “Just Do It” and bid on this jersey. Don’t be a couch potato bidder. Simply put, one of the finest Bo Jackson game worn jerseys to ever hit the market based on the heavy game wear and provenance.
Final Grade MEARS A10: Base grade 10 points for post 1987 attributes and provenance. No reasons for a point deduction.
LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions & LOA Consignor
m0480