Getty
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 7: American basketball star Michael Jordan takes batting practice 07 February 1994 with the Chicago White Sox in a bid to play with their baseball team. (Photo credit should read EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 7: American basketball star Michael Jordan takes batting practice 07 February 1994 with the Chicago White Sox in a bid to play with their baseball team. (Photo credit should read EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the court. Jordan was the face of the NBA and took basketball to the global stage. The world started watching the NBA when MJ was in his prime. Even the people who were not fans of the game were stunned by the way MJ was revolutionizing the sport.
However, MJ’s athleticism was not confined to only basketball. After the first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls through the years 1991,1992,1993, MJ announced his retirement from the NBA. Even though his retirement was short-lived, there were many reasons for that decision. After announcing his retirement, he ventured into professional baseball in the Minor Baseball League for one season, 1993-94.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
In his baseball quest, Michael played for the Birmingham Barons. The 30-year-old MJ, straight after retiring from the NBA, played 127 games in one season. This was a testament to his athleticism. Subsequently, the fans filled up stadiums just to get a glimpse of MJ in action. Even though he had not proved himself in baseball, his fame from the NBA was enough to have a full house.
WATCH THIS STORY: Michael Jordan’s comeback from retirement.
Michael could have aced MLB if not for NBA
Recently on Twitter, a video of MJ playing baseball in a friendly match in 1994 went viral. The clip shows the speed and power he had for a completely different sport. Because of the love for baseball of his father, MJ had played baseball in his childhood. But to do it in front of so many fans after spending years in the NBA and creating a legacy is incredible. It showed that MJ loved challenges in his life and always wanted to overcome and come out on top.
April 7, 1994: Michael Jordan goes 2-5 with a double and two RBIs for the White Sox in an exhibition game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Harry Caray on the call. pic.twitter.com/D5yTaIj7A7
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) April 7, 2022
Fans still are in awe of the fact that MJ played two sports at such a high level and how after bossing one he could have also proved his mantle in the other sport. The fans on twitter showered him with praise.
MJ looking good as a baseball player could become the face of baseball if he didnt play basketball he just had that charisma wherever he chooses to do
— mj23_world (@mj23_world) April 7, 2022
🐐
— Mojo Sports Consulting Inc. (@sportswhiz688) April 7, 2022
Can’t say he didn’t try as one of our good guys! #WhiteSox #Bulls pic.twitter.com/0WYFbTRsBQ
— Chris🇺🇦Rad🇺🇦Finch 9️⃣ (@RadFinch) April 7, 2022
Because you can’t spit on a wood court? Why the hell does it matter tf? lmao
— benny (@bennyTOHO) April 7, 2022
yeah cuz everyone knows baseball players never spit🤣🤣🤣. You just saw an NBA goat get a base hit and bat a run in at the highest level of baseball and they wanna talk about why they didn't spit like a baseball player on a hardwood indoor basketball court?
— Spade A. Spade (@Spade_A_Spade_) April 7, 2022
Did it for his pops. Less than 2 years later, he was commandeering his 2nd dynasty. The GOAT. pic.twitter.com/osFBErkTc1
— 23. (@PurpleG44836141) April 7, 2022
Also read: MJ with MLB legend Barry Bonds.
MJ tried his hand at baseball, mainly because of his father. Although there were many reasons for his retirement at the time, he pursued a short career in baseball because of his father’s love for the game. After one season in the MLB, MJ returned to the NBA. He came back and did a repeat of his performance before retiring, winning another three-peat.
Written by
Edited by
Ajinkya Aswale