In October of 1993, Michael Jordan shocked the basketball world by declaring his "loss of desire" for the game and retired. Basketball's loss was baseball's gain, however, when Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox. Jordan's baseball career was inspired in part by his recently deceased father's dream of his son playing pro baseball. After spring training with the Sox, Jordan was assigned to the AA Birmingham Barons where he batted a mediocre .202 with three homers. He improved during the Arizona Fall League season, but unfortunately, when baseball went on strike the following season Jordan switched back to basketball declaring simply "I'm back."

This Wilson WC209 model bat shows excellent game use and is un-cracked. There are ball marks with stitch impressions are visible on the barrel plus blue ink transfers and white leather ball scuffs. Jordan’s initials “MJ”, length “5” and model “WC209” are stamped into the knob end. Jordan’s famous number “45” has been handwritten in white paint on the knob and the handle has been taped with a 4-line spiral pattern to enhance the grip. Jordan gifted this bat to former hockey star Chris Chelios, who at the time was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jordan signed this bat in silver marker and inscribed “To Jake And Dean Best Wishes”. Jake and Dean are Chelios’ oldest of four children. This bat comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (1B14712) and a LOA from Chris Chelios for the game use, plus a LOA from JSA for the signature.