Originally Posted by luv baseball:
Bo Jackson - might have been HOF or borderline in both had he been able to keep it up. He was a MLB all-star and turned a HOF RB into a blocking back when he showed up to play in the NFL.
IMO he is the greatest physical specimen of the last 25-40 years with only LaBron James really in the mix. James could have been a HOF TE or DE if he chose to. You'd have to go back to Chamberlain and Jim Brown in the '60's to find someone that was comparable to their peers.
For whatever it is worth - Sanders is completely underrated. That guy was a special athlete as well but very easy for many people not to care for his style.
I read a book recently by a long time Kansas City scout who sat next to Buck O'Neil as they watched Bo Jackson's first batting practice as a Royal.
Buck O'Neil said he had heard a sound like Bo Jackson's swing and contact produced by only two other hitters: Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson.
So if you want to speculate about a healthy, one sport Bo Jackson reaching the HOF, you'll get no argument here.