“…You Can Play in the Major Leagues” – Derek Jeter Divulges Into Making a Shocking Prediction About Michael Jordan’s Baseball Career Had He Not Retired

In 1993, after winning three NBA Championships, at the peak of his career, NBA GOAT Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball. This decision of Michael Jordan shook the entire NBA world and also raised numerous doubts.

A few months in the future, in February 1994, Michael Jordan delivered another surprise to the world of sports by signing a contract with the American League Central Division’s Chicago White Sox. Yes, you read that right – MJ played baseball. 

He began his spring training with the Chicago White Sox, and at the end of the summer, the White Sox’s Double-A associate team, the Birmingham Barons, drafted the NBA legend. On a similar note, former Yankee and legend, Derek Jeter, once had something to share about the possibilities for the NBA star in MLB had he stayed longer. 

Derek Jeter thinks Michael Jordan would’ve easily made the Major Leagues

In a recent interview with Drink Champs, former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter spoke about his friend Michael Jordan’s short stint in baseball. He also made a shocking revelation about Jordan’s potential future had he chosen to continue.

Jeter said, “Michael Jordan played baseball in Little League and then the next time he played, he’s playing in Double-A baseball. The biggest jump is from A to Double-A. If you can play in Double-A baseball, at some point, you can play in the major leagues.”

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With the Barons, Jeter batted at 0.202 with three home runs, 51 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. The NBA legend also made a few appearances for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League, where he batted at a solid 0.252.

However, the statistics that surround his Minor League Baseball career fail to do justice to the hard work he put in, and the major bet that he placed on himself while making a significant transition to another sport entirely.

Why did MJ quit baseball?

While Jeter revealed his thoughts about Jordan’s potential future in the Major League, Jordan doubted his own abilities. Consequently, after the MLB strike in 1995, Jordan feared his future in the league and dreaded the possibility of becoming a replacement player in the Major Leagues.

In March 1995, he decided to quit baseball and announced his return to the NBA. And the rest as we know is history.

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Would Michael Jordan have made it big in baseball if he had chosen to stay? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.