![]() ![]() Jordan Had a Shining Moment at Wrigley Fieldīefore the advent of regular season interleague play in 1997, the only time the Cubs and White Sox met outside of the World Series was in the annual Crosstown Classic. When Jeter’s #2 was officially retired by the Yankees years later, Jordan published a congratulatory letter on the Jeter-created Players’ Tribune website. The two have grown closer over the years, and Jordan called Jeter his “idol” during Jeter’s retirement ceremony at Yankee Stadium in 2014. Jordan and Jeter’s relationship dates back to 1994, when they met as fellow minor league baseball players in the Arizona Fall League. They’ve also both become team owners in their post-playing days Jordan has been a majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets (then known as the Bobcats) since 2010, and he had a small stake in the Jeter-led investment group that bought MLB’s Miami Marlins in 2017. Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter have a lot in common: both are celebrated athletes whose legacies are defined by an insatiable desire to win. Jordan Became Friends with Derek Jeter in the Arizona Fall League 252 mark was a far cry from greatness, it was still a noticeable improvement over his performance with the Barons. 252 in the Arizona Fall League, typically a showcase for the game’s top prospects. He also had the second-highest stolen base total on Birmingham in 1994 (30), albeit with 18 caught stealings thrown in. For instance, he enjoyed a 13-game hit streak for the Barons, during which he hit. Jordan’s minor league numbers (.202/.289/.266 slashline, 3 HR in 127 games) are abysmal, but there are signs he could have been a decent player had he dedicated himself to baseball from the beginning. Jordan Had More Baseball Success Than You Might Think It was the eve of what would have been James Jordan’s 58th birthday, a fact that MJ acknowledged by pointing skyward when he reached home plate. After a 353 at-bat homerless stretch to start the 1994 season, Jordan finally connected on a roundtripper in front of a record crowd in Birmingham on July 30, 1994. The impetus for Jordan’s sudden career change made the timing of his first home run all the more profound. So while the retirement decision was shocking at the outset, it was not without reason. According to Michael, his father had always envisioned him becoming a baseball player. James Jordan was murdered three months before his son announced his retirement from the NBA in 1993. Jordan’s public explanation for his foray into baseball was the desire to fulfill his father’s dream. Francona remembers Jordan fondly, and has commended him for his work ethic.įrancona believes that Jordan had potential as a baseball player, stating, “I do think with another 1,000 at-bats, he would’ve made it.” He has also called managing MJ “the greatest learning experience I’ve ever had.” Jordan’s First Home Run Came a Day Before His Father’s Birthday He was the manager of the White Sox Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, when Jordan played his sole minor league season in 1994. Since joining the Cleveland Indians in 2013, the man affectionately known as “Tito” has won an American League pennant and steered the Tribe to three division titles.īefore he became a big league skipper, Francona plied his trade in the minors. The manager broke an 86-year curse with the Red Sox in 2004 before leading Boston to another championship three years later. Terry Francona will likely be a Hall of Famer one day. Jordan Was Managed by a Future Hall of Famer Jordan Had a Shining Moment at Wrigley Field.Jordan Became Friends with Derek Jeter in the Arizona Fall League.Jordan Had More Baseball Success Than You Might Think.Jordan’s First Home Run Came a Day Before His Father’s Birthday.Jordan Was Managed by a Future Hall of Famer. ![]()
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