1994 Michael Jordan Signed Minor League Baseball Player's Contract....

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1994 Michael Jordan Signed Minor League Baseball Player's Contract. "It was really his father's dream that he play baseball," legendary coach Phil Jackson once told reporters. "His father wanted to play pro ball and did play semi-pro. When his father passed away, I think Michael was kind of living out his father's dream. That's one of the things I thought when I heard it. 'Jeez, this guy wants to go play baseball in the major leagues?' But then I realized basketball players are always fantasizing that they could play baseball." Others have since theorized that the rather startling transition for the greatest basketball player in the game to a considerably less glamorous existence in minor league baseball had been a means by which Jordan and the NBA could save face by avoiding a gambling scandal which would have meant a healthy suspension. The narrative would be that Jordan had simply changed focus. A public relations nightmare would then be swept quite effectively under the rug.

In any regard, material from Jordan's brief flirtation with our National Pastime has been highly coveted by the collectibles marketplace ever since the experiment began two decades ago, an enthusiasm not the least bit dampened by the fact that the legendary basketball player proved to be anything but a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Ultimately Jordan would blame the 1995 baseball strike for the end of the affair, returning to the Chicago Bulls and further Championship glory.

Presented is the only Jordan baseball employment paperwork we've ever encountered, a standard "Minor League Uniform Player Contract" bringing him into the Chicago White Sox farm system. The eight-page document is signed on the first page by Jordan and a team representative in 9/10 or better black ink, with an addendum likewise signed by Jordan, with this address, social security number and date written in his hand (also 9/10). This addendum assigns a monthly salary of $850 to Jordan, a figure he'd improve upon slightly with his $33M windfall for playing the 1997-98 NBA season. Finally, there is a team document (not signed by Jordan) transfering his contract to the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League. Pages exhibit typical handling and storage wear but no faults of any distraction. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.

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