“When You Tell Michael [Jordan] No..”: While the NBA World Criticized Bulls GOAT for Retiring and Media Called His White Sox Stint a ‘Failure’, One MLB Veteran Had Unfazed Faith in Him

Michael Jordan had a successful NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. He helped the Chicago-based franchise win two three-peats during the 90s. However, in the same decade, he retired twice from basketball, only to make his comeback on both occasions. After his first retirement, he decided to ply his trade in baseball. While everyone was skeptical about his baseball, one true MLB legend had faith in MJ.

Everyone knew Michael Jordan for his grit and resilience, which helped him shape his professional career. Even after his retirement, Jordan has been able to replicate success in the business world. He is now the richest athlete in sports history.

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MLB legend Terry Francona, in an interview on ESPN a couple of years ago, admitted that Jordan’s ability to not take ‘no’ for an answer would have helped him make his way to the top league.

Terry Francona believed in Michael Jordan making it to the major leagues

Currently managing the Cleveland Guardians, Terry Francona, once managed Birmingham Barons in 1994. This was the same time when Jordan played for the Barons, Chicago White Sox’s Double-A minor league affiliate. Terry said that Jordan would have eventually earned a roster spot in the top league within 3 years of his baseball debut.

“I think even if the way he did do it if he’d have been willing to commit three years, I think he’d have found his way to the major leagues,” Terry Francona told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter.

“I really believe that one. Because of some of the tools he had. But the other one, it may be more important and I found out firsthand. When you tell Michael [Jordan] no, he finds a way to make the answer be yes,” he added.

Indeed, and this was just Terry reiterating what he said in ‘The Last Dance’ docuseries. He had said that MJ would have made it to the major league if he completed 1000 at-bats playing in the minor league.

Michael Jordan’s stint with the Barons in 1994

Jordan batted .202 with 3 home runs, 51 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases, 114 strikeouts, 51 bases on balls, and 11 errors for the Barons in 1994.

It’s not that Jordan had an unsuccessful stint with the Barons. His 30 stolen bases were second on the team at that time, with Doug Brady being the first.

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Later that year, MJ played in the Arizona Fall League with the Scottsdale Scorpions. He finished batting .252 for the Scorpions against some of the most experienced players in the league.

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