Michael Jordan sent shock waves through the sporting world in 1993 when he announced he was tired of basketball and was retiring. Jordan had had a rough year after his father was murdered, and decided to pursue professional baseball, which was his father’s original dream for his son. Jordan signed with the Southside White Sox in early 1994 and this Wilson dates from his first Spring Training with the club. As such, the bat’s barrel has “Hand Crafted” and “MICHAEL JORDAN MODEL” in block letters.

     After spring training, Jordan was assigned to the Double-A Birmingham Barons where he hit a disappointing .202 for the year. However, things began to look up when he showed vast improvement in the Arizona Fall League, but MLB went on strike the following season and Jordan called it quits on his baseball dreams. Switching gears, Jordan released a two word press release in March, 1995 simply stating “I’m back” and restarted his NBA career. Jordan’s Wilson WC209 model bat shows light use with a handle crack. Jordan’s famous number “45” has been written on the knob. A great gamer from Jordan’s brief baseball odyssey. This bat comes with an LOA from PSA/DNA (1B10362) for the game use.

     Also included in this lot are two 5 ½ inches long black Wilson wristbands. The soft black wristbands have “Wilson” embroidered in white and are in good condition.

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