Michael Jordan while playing baseball.
Michael Jordan (born February 17, 1963) is a former American professional baseball player. The website for Major League Baseball (MLB) states that "Michael Jordan is one of the greatest baseball players of all time".
Jordan went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he led the Tar Heels to three straight championship victories. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1984, where he led the struggling team to six World Series. In 1998, Jordan retired. In 2003, he was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
College Career[]
Michael Jordan went to the Universite of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for college. He played third base for the Tar Heels, and was a stellar hitter. In his senior year he had a 45 game hit streak. In 1982, 1983, and 1984, Jordan led the Tar Heels to three conference championships, as well as three College World Series titles. For 1983 and 1984, he was named the Most Outstanding Player. He entered the 1985 MLB draft as a high prospect.
Professional Career[]
Michael Jordan was drafted by the Cleveland Indians, and was sent to play for the AAA Cleveland Indians farm team, the Maine Guides. He became their leading hitter, with 38 home runs and 117 runs batted in. The Guides were the runners-up for the International League playoffs. In 1986, the Guides fell to fourth place, but Jordan was continuing his good performance. He was soon assigned to play for the Cleveland Indians. He was the last puzzle piece needed for the team. They finished first in the American League East, but lost to the Minnesota Twins in the AL Championship Game. In his first year for the Indians, Jordan had performed better than average but not as good as he was with the Guides.
In 1988, Jordan and the Indians had a monsterous season. He led the league in home runs with 58. Cleveland made the playoffs again with the second best record in the league. The Indians defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series. In 1989, the defending champion Indians made the playoffs, but lost to to the Oakland Athletics.
At the beginning of the 1990 season, Jordan suffered an injury, ending his season. The Cleveland Indians suffered from this, and narrowly missed the playoffs. In 1991, Jordan made up for it by hitting 60 home runs. The Indians made it to the World Series again, only to lose to the Atlanta Braves. A rematch would a happen in 1992, and a walkoff Jordan home run clinches victory for the Indians. The Indians would play the Braves again in 1995, and would come out on top. The Indians also won the 1993 World Series, defeating the Philadeplhia Phillies.
In 1994, Michael Jordan was on pace to hit 60 home runs when a strike ended the season. In 1996, the Indians would lose to the Yankess in the ALDS. Before the 1998 season started, Jordan announced it would be his last. During that season, Jordan broke the single season home run record with 71. The Indians cruised through the season and ended with the best record in the league. The Indians would defeat the San Diego Padres in the World Series for their 4th World Series title in ten years.
In 2003, Michael Jordan was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.