Former MLB Pitcher Tyler Skaggs Once Admitted How Michael Jordan Inspired His Baseball Comeback

When someone utters the word basketball, the name ‘Michael Jordan’ immediately comes to mind. ‘His Airness’ as he’s popularly known, is considered by many as the greatest of all time. The Bulls’ star gave the franchise 6 rings and a whole bunch of iconic moments.

His performances for the Bulls earned him a global fanbase that wanted to ‘Be like Mike.’ Clearly, he inspired several people to pick up the sport of basketball. However, there was one fan in particular who was inspired in a different way. This is none other than Tyler Skaggs. The former MLB pitcher revealed how Michael Jordan inspired his MLB comeback.

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Michael Jordan inspires Tyler Skaggs

After the passing of his father, Jordan announced his retirement from basketball in 1993. However, after an unsuccessful stint in Minor League Baseball, the NBA superstar would come out of retirement and rejoin the Chicago Bulls. The only difference was that he wore the Number 45 instead of 23.

This return from retirement is what inspired Tyler Skaggs. Skaggs would wear the Number 45 jersey during his second run with the Los Angeles Angels.

“I’m a big Michael Jordan fan and I figured since he went away and then came back and wore No. 45, I think it’s fitting that I went away and I come back and come back strong with a strong number,” explained Skaggs as to why he chose Number 45.

READ MORE: Why did Michael Jordan Wear the No. 45 Jersey For the Chicago Bulls Out of His First Retirement?

Clearly, this incident is yet another example of how people from various fields are inspired by Jordan.

Jordan’s Return and the Second Three-peat

Once Jordan returned to the Bulls in 1995, things did not go so well. Although they made the playoffs, they would fall to the Orlando Magic in 6 games. However, it was after that season that the Bulls would reclaim their hold over the NBA.

The MJ of old was back, and there was no stopping him. Together with Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls would win three more titles in a row. It just goes to show the world of difference a player like MJ can have on your team. Take a look at the number of wins the Bulls had whenever they had MJ on their roster.

It is evident that the return of MJ was a morale boost for the squad who had won 55 games during the season of his first retirement. However, upon his return, the Bulls would win 72 games, the second-best regular-season record in NBA history. It is evident that not only did MJ manage to inspire the world, he also inspired his team to succeed. Hence, it is quite right for many people to consider him as the GOAT.