On May 23, 1989, at Arlington Stadium, Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals hits a monstrous 461-foot home run against Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers. Jackson had struggled in his previous matchups against the future Hall of Famer, striking out the last six times in succession.

Bo Jackson’s 461-foot three-run homer in the fifth inning off winner Nolan Ryan — believed to be the longest since the Rangers started measuring home runs at the start of the 1987 season The shot which came on a 3-2 fastball landed a few rows above an entranceway.

“You take a hitter like he is — a free swinger — and he’s going to hit some home runs” Ryan said “I got behind I’m not going to walk him in that situation He’s got to hit it out and he did” “I think they need to get a new tape measure” Jackson said.

Jackson had struck out six previous times against Ryan — two last night and four in Ryan’s 6-3 10-strikeout victory in Kansas City on April On two pitches before the home run high inside fastballs backed Jackson off the plate “He wasn’t throwing at me” Jackson said “He’s been pitching longer than I’ve been alive If he wanted to hit me he would have” “The fans got their money’s worth” Valentine said “They got to see Nolan ‘strike him out and then him hit a blast”