Today in Performance Sneaker History: Bo Jackson Blasts Unforgettable '89 All-Star Game Homer in Vintage Nike Cleats

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Dual-sport sensation Bo Jackson was one of the most enthralling athletes of the late '80s and early '90s. His seemingly super-human ability to excel at just about anything he did made him a household name in America, and led to one of Nike's most memorable advertisement campaigns. Bo Jackson's success in both professional baseball and football served as the launchpad for Nike crosstraining, and he's tied to many of the Swoosh's earliest multipurpose models such as the Air Trainer SC and Air Trainer SC II.

One of the most impressive accomplishments of Bo Jackson's career is the fact that he was the only athlete to ever make an All-Star team in two major US sports. He was selected for the NFL Pro Bowl in 1990, and one year prior, Bo Jackson made his first and only MLB All-Star Game appearance. On this day in 1989, Bo quite literally broke out of his shell with a performance that earned the game's MVP award. As he led off the bottom of the first inning, Bo smashed a massive 450 (448 to be exact) yard home run, earning reactions that still linger to this day. Check out this clip for highlights of the historic blast.

To make matters even more interesting, the original "Bo Knows" Nike commercial ran for the very first time during the game. Specifically, it rain during the commercial break immediately following Bo's home run, which cemented him as the athlete to watch in 1989. If you're looking to pick up a piece of footwear history, Nike has recently reintroduced both the Air Trainer SC and Air Trainer SC II High in a special vintage collection. The pack has yet to hit stateside retailers, but expect to see them soon.

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