If you grew up in the late eighties or early nineties, you didn't just know who Bo Jackson was. You worshipped him. He was the guy who ran up outfield walls like a glitch in a video game and snapped bats over his quads like they were mere toothpicks. But for collectors, the obsession usually boils down to one specific, gritty, black-and-white image: the 1990 Bo Jackson Score baseball card.
Honestly, it’s not even a "baseball" card in the traditional sense. It’s a culture shock.
In a sea of neon-bordered, overproduced junk wax, this card felt like a piece of art. It’s card #697 in the 1990 Score set, but most people just call it "the shoulder pads card." It’s basically the Mona Lisa for guys who used to buy packs with lunch money.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bo Jackson Score Baseball Card
A lot of folks assume this is a rookie card. It’s not. Bo’s actual baseball rookies showed up in 1986 and 1987 (think Topps Traded or Donruss). By 1990, he was already a massive star. But value in the hobby isn’t always about being the first. Sometimes it’s about being the most iconic.
The 1990 Score #697 captures the "Bo Knows" era perfectly. You’ve got Bo shirtless, wearing his Raiders football shoulder pads, and holding a baseball bat across the back of his neck. It was a visual manifesto. It told the world that the rules of specialization didn't apply to him.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
The Photography Story
The photo was taken by a guy named Chuck Kuhn. It was actually part of a Nike ad campaign. Score was smart enough to license the image for their baseball set. Most cards back then featured a player standing awkwardly in the dugout or mid-swing with a blurry stadium background. This was different. It was studio-lit, high-contrast, and looked like a movie poster.
The Current Market: What Is It Actually Worth?
You might have a stack of these in a shoebox in your attic. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless they are pristine, you aren't retiring on them. Score printed millions of these things.
However, "Gem Mint" is a different story. Because the 1990 Score set was notorious for poor centering and "white snow" (tiny printing defects on the black background), finding a perfect copy is a nightmare.
Estimated Value Breakdown (2026 Market):
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
- Raw (Ungraded): $5 to $15. You can find these at any local card show for the price of a sandwich.
- PSA 9 (Mint): $55 to $75. A solid collector's piece that won't break the bank.
- PSA 10 (Gem Mint): This is where it gets spicy. Recent sales in early 2026 have seen PSA 10 copies go for anywhere between $450 and $600.
- Autographed Versions: If you have one signed by Bo and authenticated by PSA/DNA, you're looking at a $2,000+ card. There was actually a legal dispute years ago regarding Bo's contract with Score, which makes authentic signed copies even more localized in the "legendary" category.
Why the 1989 Score Supplemental is the "Secret" Version
While the 1990 card is the famous one, there’s a "prequel" of sorts. In 1989, Score released a "Supplemental" football set. Card #384S features another black-and-white shot from the same Nike session.
In this one, Bo is in the same gear but holding the bat in a different pose (down by his side/hip). Collectors often hunt for this one to pair with the 1990 baseball version. If you want the "set," you need both. Interestingly, the 1989 football version is technically rarer because it was only available in factory sets, not individual wax packs.
Dealing with the Junk Wax Reality
Let's be real: 1990 was the peak of the "Junk Wax Era." Companies were printing cards faster than the government prints money. Because of that, the bo jackson score baseball card will never be a $50,000 card like a Mickey Mantle.
But rarity isn't why we love it.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
We love it because it represents a time when an athlete felt like a superhero. Before the hip injury in the 1991 playoffs against the Bengals, Bo felt invincible. This card is the tombstone of that invincibility. It’s a 2.5 by 3.5-inch reminder of what it felt like to watch the most athletic human being on the planet.
Buying Tips for Collectors
- Check the "Snow": Look at the black background. If you see tiny white dots, the grade will tank.
- Centering is King: Look at the blue and orange borders on the back. If they are shifted to one side, it’s not a PSA 10.
- The "Bo Knows" Nike Promo: There is a version of this card that was a Nike giveaway. It doesn't have the Score logo. It’s cool, but the Score #697 is the one most collectors want for their "Master Set."
Actionable Insights for Your Collection
If you're looking to buy or sell a Bo Jackson Score baseball card today, don't just wing it.
First, determine the purpose. Are you buying for nostalgia or investment? If it's nostalgia, buy a clean raw copy for ten bucks and put it in a "one-touch" magnetic holder. It’ll look great on an office desk.
Second, if you're hunting for a PSA 10, use a loupe. You need to inspect the corners for "flipping"—where the paper stock slightly separates. Even a microscopic white point on a corner will drop a 10 to a 9, and a 9 is worth roughly 15% of a 10.
Finally, watch the population reports. As of 2026, the number of PSA 10s is hovering around 4,400. That’s a lot, but the demand for Bo Jackson remains incredibly high because he appeals to both baseball and football collectors. This "cross-sport" appeal provides a price floor that many other cards from 1990 simply don't have.
Keep an eye on eBay "Sold" listings rather than "Asking" prices. People can ask $5,000 for a raw card; it doesn't mean they'll get it. Stick to the data, check your corners, and enjoy owning one of the most visually stunning cards ever printed.