Bo Jackson Named Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory's 2026 Living Legend
Baseball Icon and Electrifying Superstar to Be Honored November 13
One of the most exciting players ever to step onto a baseball diamond is coming to Louisville. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory will honor Bo Jackson with its Living Legend Award on Friday, November 13, celebrating a remarkable career defined by extraordinary athleticism, unforgettable moments and a lasting impact on the game of baseball.
Few players in baseball history have possessed the remarkable athleticism of Bo Jackson. His rare combination of power, speed, strength and agility made him one of the game’s most captivating players and capable of doing things on a baseball field that seemed almost impossible. His athletic achievements extended beyond the diamond, as Jackson became the first and remains the only athlete to earn MLB All-Star honors and be selected to the NFL Pro Bowl.
From spectacular catches and unforgettable throws from the outfield, Jackson could turn any moment into a highlight and made fans believe something remarkable could happen every time he stepped onto the field.
“Bo Jackson is one of those rare athletes whose impact goes beyond stats,” said Deana Lockman, VP and Executive Director of Experiences at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. “There was a thrill that came with watching Bo play baseball because you never knew when you were about to see something incredible. His athleticism made him unforgettable. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Louisville and recognize him as our newest Living Legend.”
Jackson burst onto the Major League Baseball scene with the Kansas City Royals in 1986 and quickly became one of the game’s most captivating stars.
Among the highlights of Jackson’s baseball career:
All-Star Power and Speed to Match: Jackson may have been simultaneously the fastest and strongest player on the field at any time. In 1989, Jackson earned MVP votes hitting 32 home runs and stealing 26 bases.
An Unforgettable Arm: Jackson became famous for spectacular throws from the outfield, including a remarkable 1989 throw from the warning track in Seattle that caught Harold Reynolds at home plate.
Wall-Climbing Wonder: His seemingly effortless ability to run up the outfield wall after making a catch became one of the enduring images of Jackson’s extraordinary athletic ability.
Jackson played the game with a style all his own, creating the kind of unforgettable moments that still resonate with baseball fans decades later. More than three decades after his final Major League game, his remarkable plays and larger-than-life presence continue to captivate generations of fans.
An Evening with a Living Legend
Fans will have the opportunity to celebrate Jackson during the ticketed event at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on Friday, November 13.
To mark this special occasion, a limited-edition Bo Jackson Living Legend commemorative bat will also be available for $699. The special edition replica of Jackson’s BO16L bat model is finished in classic Royals colors and features an iconic silhouette. Purchase of the limited-edition bat includes two tickets to the Living Legend celebration Friday, November 13, plus heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Individual tickets to the event are $199 and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Tickets and commemorative bats will be available at www.sluggermuseum.com/living-legend.
Living Legend Past Recipients
Jackson joins an elite lineup of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Living Legend recipients, including George Brett, Jim Thome, Derek Jeter, Frank Thomas, Dave Winfield, Andre Dawson, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Ryne Sandberg, Johnny Bench, Mike Schmidt, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Rickey Henderson and Ken Griffey Jr.