For every kid who grew up in ’90s Chicago, Michael Jordan wasn’t just a basketball player—he was the city itself. Even when he shocked the world by stepping away from the game after three straight championships, his presence never really faded. Instead of dominating the hardwood, he gave baseball a shot, suiting up for the Birmingham Barons, a minor-league affiliate of the White Sox. But Chicago always knew—MJ wasn’t done just yet.

Sure enough, by March 1995, with Major League Baseball still on strike, Jordan dropped two iconic words: “I’m back.” And just like that, he returned to the Bulls, added three more rings to his collection. But while Jordan was making history, another kid in Chicago was watching—one who would one day carry the city’s basketball hopes himself.

Yes, we’re talking about Derrick Rose. Drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008, he spent eight seasons electrifying the city. From winning Rookie of the Year to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011, Rose had Chicago dreaming big again. But after 16 seasons in the league, D-Rose officially retired last year, closing the book on a career filled with both dazzling highs and heartbreaking injuries. Or so we thought.

Now, it looks like Rose might be hinting at a Jordan-like switch. The Chicago White Sox recently posted a cryptic image—a silhouette of a player in full basketball gear standing on rose petals, tagging D-Rose in the post.

If that wasn’t enough, Rose himself fueled speculation by posting a picture of the same rose petals on his Instagram story with the caption: “3 STRIKES YOUR OUT @whitesox 👀.” A tribute? Maybe. A tease? Definitely. Could he actually swap sneakers for cleats and take a swing in a Sox jersey? Stranger things have happened.

But, there’s another way Rose is following Jordan’s path—one that doesn’t involve baseball at all.

Bulls will honor Derrick Rose like Michael Jordan

Just like they did for Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls are making sure Derrick Rose’s legacy lives on forever. The team will retire his iconic No. 1 jersey, making him just the fifth Bulls player to receive this honor. Back in January, the Bulls confirmed that Rose’s jersey will officially go up in the rafters during the 2025-26 season. The exact date? Still to be determined, but one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be an emotional moment for the city and its fans.

With this recognition, D-Rose joins an exclusive club that includes Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33). Interestingly, President & CEO Michael Reinsdorf personally delivered the news in Chicago, making it even more special.

“Derrick is both a hometown hero and a symbol of an entire era of Bulls basketball,” said Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. For a kid from Englewood who grew up idolizing the team, this is a full-circle moment. “We are proud to add Derrick to the elite group of players… whose jerseys have been officially retired by the Chicago Bulls.”

So, the love between Rose and the Bulls isn’t just about numbers—it’s about what he represented every time he stepped on the court. But, his numbers are impressive too. In 406 regular-season games with Chicago, he averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He’s third in team history for assists per game and ranks ninth in scoring average. But here’s the kicker—he and Jordan are the only Bulls players to post at least 2,000 points and 600 assists in a single season. If that’s not legendary, what is?