Jackson May Get $8.15 Million : White Sox: They sign Bo, who will reportedly make $700,000 even if he never plays baseball again.

The Chicago White Sox, believing Bo Jackson could be playing again after the All-Star break, announced Wednesday that they have signed the injured outfielder to a one-year contract with options on 1992 and ’93.

The financial terms were not revealed, but it was learned that Jackson can make as much as $8.15 million, plus bonuses, over three years. The arrangement does not prevent Jackson from fulfilling the final year of his contract as a running back with the Raiders, provided he has recovered from the hip injury suffered in a playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 13.

Jackson signed with the White Sox as a free agent after he cleared waivers without being claimed and was released by the Kansas City Royals, whose team physician, Steven Joyce, expressed doubt that Jackson would be able to play baseball again.

The New York Yankees, first in the claiming process, considered taking Jackson and his $2.375-million salary but backed off on the advice of several medical specialists.

However, James Boscardin, the White Sox orthopedist, said media reports made Jackson’s condition sound worse than it is.

“We believe there’s a very good chance Bo can become a productive member of the White Sox,” Boscardin said at a news conference at the team’s training base in Sarasota, Fla.

Boscardin refused to establish a timetable. He said that he went to Birmingham, Ala., to examine Jackson, read the reports compiled by Jackson’s personal orthopedist, James Andrews, and conduct his own test. He said he then reviewed the results with three other members of the White Sox medical team, and they agreed with Andrews’ view that Jackson will be able to play again.

“I think Dr. Joyce reached the right conclusion initially, but these later studies are more favorable, though Bo will require a considerable period of rehabilitation,” Boscardin said. “We’ll know more in eight to 10 weeks.”

Andrews, who attended the news conference, said Jackson will continue to rehabilitate in Birmingham and that a decision will be made at the All-Star break regarding his playing later this season.

“I think he’ll play some this season,” Andrews said. “I don’t think his condition is degenerative. I think it’s traumatic.”

White Sox General Manager Ron Schueler said a resonable expectation is that Jackson will return in 1992. If Jackson does not play this year, he will receive a salary of $700,000. The White Sox have until March 15 to pick up the option on 1992.

Schueler said the contract represents a shared risk, a gamble the White Sox felt they had to take, “if there’s even an outside chance Bo can play again. I mean, he’s a tremendous talent who’s still learning, still developing. There doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t do, so I have to be optimistic he can come back from this.”

Co-owner Jerry Reinsdorf said that Jackson’s desire to play for the White Sox “endorses everything we are doing to restore credibility to the organization. We were told we were his No. 1 choice and that he wasn’t talking to anybody else, and wouldn’t talk to anybody else, unless we couldn’t make a deal.”

Jackson said he probably could have signed for more money elsewhere, but he wanted to play in a major market for a team that has a chance to win. He says the White Sox, a surprising winner of 94 games last year, are the team with the best chance at bringing him a World Series ring.

He also said he wants to stay in the American League so he can haunt the Royals.

“No hard feelings, but I smelled a rat long before they released me,” he said, refusing to identify the rat. “It was actually a relief when it finally happened, and it’s given me the chance to come play for a winner.”

He said he is spending 10 hours a day in rehabilitation and feels like a caged animal. He is still using crutches but said: “I’m able to walk without pain. I’ve made a lot of progress since first getting hurt.”

Agent Richard Woods said there is no rush.

“If he plays in the second half, that’s OK,” Woods said. “But if he doesn’t play until next year, that’s OK, too. Bo is going to play again at some point, and the White Sox seem to believe that as much as he does.”

BO’S CONTRACT

Bo Jackson can earn as much as $8.15 million, plus bonuses, over three years under the contract he agreed to Wednesday with the Chicago White Sox. A breakdown, according to the Associated Press:

1991 Guaranteed salary: $700,000. Incentives: $10,000 for every game available up to 80.

1992 Guaranteed salary: 1991 earnings minus $100,000. Amount guaranteed if he is available for 40 games in 1991. Incentives: $10,000 for every game available up to 150.

1993 Guaranteed salary: 1992 salary. Amount guaranteed if he plays in 125 games in 1991. Incentives: $10,000 for every game available. Maximum total: $3.75 million.

OTHER BONUSES

$50,000 for election to the All-Star team ($25,000 for selection).

$100,000 for most valuable player ($90,000 for second, $80,000 for third and down in $10,000 increments for $10,000 for 10th).

$75,000 for most valuable player of the playoffs.

$100,000 for MVP of the World Series.

$25,000 if he wins a Gold Glove.

$100,000 for the Sporting News player of the year.

$50,000 for the Sporting News all-star team ($25,000 if he is the designated hitter).