NBA x MLB: Celebrating The Start of the MLB Season In Style

What’s the best MLB x NBA crossover moment in sports history?

The first pitch comes to mind. It’s been performed by plenty of NBA stars throughout the years: John Wall, Shaq, LeBron. Their clean pitches and awful shanks have made for some solid cross-sports moments.

But watching LeBron or Shaq step up to first plate, while entertaining, is hardly the best cross-sports moment between the two leagues. The most memorable MLB x NBA crossover and perhaps the best sports crossover bar none, is Michael Jordan retiring from the NBA to go play baseball full-time.

If we didn’t already know it happened, there’s no way we’d believe it. But Michael Jordan really did retire from basketball during his prime.

In the middle of leading the league in scoring for 7 straight years. In the wake of winning MVP for 2 years in a row. And right after hoisting up the concluding trophy to his first threepeat. 

When he decided it was enough in 1993, he was unarguably the best player in the NBA and lauded by many to be the best to ever play the game. 

But baseball came calling. So baseball he played. 

In fact, Jordan played an exhibition game for Major League Baseball’s White Sox on this very day, the 7th of April, 28 years ago. 

Which makes today an especially sweet day for fans of both baseball and basketball. Not only does it mark the start of the MLB season (which was put in jeopardy by the off-season lockdown), it also marks the anniversary of the greatest basketball player ever (and perhaps greatest sports figure of all time) getting a chance to shine in a parallel sports universe. 

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MJ’s Baseball Career

How did Michael Jordan fare as a baseball player? Here are the stats from his time with the Birmingham Barons (the White Sox’s Double-A Affiliate):

• 127 games
• 497 plate appearances
• .202 batting average
• 88 hits
• 51 RBIs, 46 runs scored
• 30 stolen bases /18 caught stealing
• 51 walks, 114 strikeouts 

On first sight: perhaps not that impressive. 

But when taking into account that the man hadn’t played baseball since high school and was nevertheless able to compete against players that had been training full-time for years on end -  well, that’s a whole lot of something. 

His trainer at the Birmingham Barons, Terry Francona (who went on to win the World Series twice) said that with 1,000 more bats, he was sure that Michael would’ve made it to the big leagues.

But basketball came calling again, so those 1,000 bats never came to be.

Michael Jordan: White Sox vs. Cubs 1994

What did happen is Michael’s lone MLB exhibition game on April 7th, 1994. It was the highlight of MJ’s baseball career. 

Spring Training. White Sox vs. Cubs. Wrigley Stadium. Playoff atmosphere. 

The crowd went absolutely ballistic every time Jordan made a play. His presence alone turned a run-of-the-mill spring training game into a premier sports event. But he didn’t just show up, he showed out. Going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. 

Not too shabby for someone who had only started training 8 days prior.

Ultimately, we’re glad the GOAT returned to doing what he did best. Winning 2 more MVPs, 3 more championships, and defining the world of basketball like no other.

Hoopers and ballplayers unite! We’ve got you covered with baseball caps and other baseball essentials to celebrate the start of the MLB season in style. Check out the link below.