NBA legend Michael Jordan left the game of basketball at the pinnacle of his career after winning three straight titles with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan was a huge fan of baseball and grew up playing the sport. Despite being a superstar in the NBA, MJ contemplated playing baseball and discussed it multiple times with his father James R. Jordan Sr. Then when his father was tragically killed, Jordan decided to retire from the NBA and play baseball in 1994. During his very short stint with baseball, he was coached by a future Hall of Famer.

After his announcement that he had decided to take a shot at baseball, he received an offer to play in the Major League. However, MJ did not want to play in the MLB just because of his superstardom. Air Jordan wanted to earn his spot and decided to play in the minor league.

Michael Jordan and Terry Francona

Michael Jordan played for the Double-A Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He spent the fall with the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League where he was coached by MLB legend Terry Francona. A video clip of Jordan batting and mic’d up Francona has resurfaced on social media and the fans are loving it. In the video clip, Francona revealed some interesting details about MJ. When Jordan tried to bunt, Francona stated it was “pretty” even though it was a foul.

He added the six-time champion was learning the game of basketball very quickly and he was trying hard. He was then asked about his “heart-to-heart” meeting with the five-time MVP. Francona said, “Well, you know what, I think what he needed was, he was kind of worried about taking the places of some of our younger players and how he was really doing. He just wanted a little bit of reinforcement that he was taking the right path. And he wasn’t just kind of embarrassing himself.”

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While Francona was then explaining how fast Jordan was progressing and about his knowledge of the game, he hit a triple and the coach was elated. He even called MJ “homie” while giving him props for the hit. One of many reasons why Francona is one of the best managers ever.

Jordan’s short stint

Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the Bulls and the White Sox honored Michael Jordan’s contract from the NBA. And thus began MJ’s baseball career. He was trying to play a game that he has not played for years so he struggled as many expected. However, he showed good improvements as well.

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With his superstardom, he was filling the stadiums. Even his teammates and opponents wanted signed memorabilia from him. Terry Francona felt the 18-time all-star would reach the major leagues in three years. However, Jordan decided to return to the NBA because of the 1994 baseball strike.