Michael Jordan played in the NBA in two separate terms. Her first was before the gruesome murder of her father James Jordan. Michael won three consecutive championships until 1993. He then retired and started playing baseball for a minor league team the Chicago White Sox. But only after one season, and seeing the problem with major league farms, Jordan decided to return to the NBA. It was then that he wore jersey #45, which inadvertently may have cost the manufacturers a huge loss.
In 1993, James Jordan was brutally murdered by two thieves. His body was found a few days later in a swamp. The event took its toll on Michael’s emotional state. Devastated, he retired from the NBA at probably the peak of his career.
But he returned to play in the NBA in 1995 after more than a one-season hiatus and donned the No. 45 jersey.
Also Read: ‘You Need To Put Some Respect On Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’: Kevin Garnett Already Wants 6ft 6ft Thunder Guard Name In MVP Race
Michael Jordan may have cost jersey makers a lot of money by wearing #45
In 1995, Michael’s decision to return to the NBA shocked the world. His return was the most anticipated moment in league history. But unlike his first term, MJ opted to wear #45 this time around. Jordan chose to retire number 23 because he wanted to honor his father.
Roland Lazenby in his book Michael Jordan: The Life, wrote how official NBA jersey makers produced over 200,000 #45 jerseys. However, Michael opted to wear it for only 23 games and reverted to his previous number. Her performance in the new issue had been unsatisfactory and Michael wanted to end the bad juju.
Lazenby: “Champion, the sportswear manufacturer that held the NBA license for jerseys, immediately
added an extra shift and began producing over 200,000 number 45 jerseys for sale worldwide.
His decision to do so probably caused “Champion” a lot of money. Considering Jordan returned to No. 23 soon after, people would have liked his current number rather than No. 45. After all, people rarely think about collecting during a star’s current era.
Jordan’s affair with baseball
MJ continued to play in the minor leagues after James passed away. As a child, James wanted Jordan to play baseball. So, in a way, Jordan was honoring his dad by returning to baseball. He was so heartbroken that he couldn’t help but search for methods to keep James’ memory alive.
As a child, his dream had once crumbled after Michael realized he wasn’t cut out to play baseball. His edge in his early teens was lost as he got older.
Likewise, when Michael Jordan retired from basketball and went to play baseball, he was not satisfied. The minor league state probably scared MJ. He immediately rushed to the Bulls and the rest is history.
Also Read: Jealous of Michael Jordan’s $2.5 Million Contract, Magic Johnson Ridiculed MJ’s ‘Tennis Shoe’ Money While Playing
