Michael Jordan
From BR Bullpen
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (Air, Superman, Mike, M.J., Air Jordan)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 6", Weight 195 lb.
- Born February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Arguably the greatest basketball player in NBA History, Michael Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls in 1994 to join the Chicago White Sox AA minor league team, the Birmingham Barons. He batted just .202/.289/.266 and played outfield in his only season in baseball. He was tied for 5th in the Southern League in steals with 30, but was gunned down 18 times. His 11 outfield errors tied for the league lead. Amazingly, for a 6'6" hitter, he drew 51 walks in 497 plate appearances. He cited the recent death of this father as his motivation to give baseball a try; baseball had been his father's favorite sport. Additionally Jordan said that he had nothing more to prove in basketball after three straight NBA titles. His minor league manager was Terry Francona.
The following season, Jordan returned to the NBA and wound up winning three more NBA titles.
[edit] The Jordan Cruiser
While with the Barons, Jordan helped finance a new bus for the team. The 45 foot bus has reclining chairs and a large U-shaped lounge area in the back and was nicknamed the "Jordan Cruiser". Jordan autographed the door and the autograph was coated with a protectant. The bus, operated by Thrasher Brothers Tours, was used by the Barons through the 2002 season. The bus was then used by Thrasher Brothers for trips to the Philadelphia and Biloxi, MS casino tours. The bus was then sold to Wilson Bus Lines in Washington D.C. and makes regular trips to New York City. Thrasher Brothers was able to sell the bus for a profit; it still has Jordan's autograph on the door.
