Major League Baseball

Bull in Birmingham

Published Mar. 31, 2020 1:05 p.m. ET

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With the NBA, MLB, NHL and other major sports leagues and sporting events suspended or canceled, on a daily basis, we will revisit some of the most unforgettable games and sports moments in history. Welcome to On This Day.

Have you ever wondered where Michael Jordan got that No. 45 from?

Growing up, baseball was Michael Jordan's first love, and – you guessed it – 45 was his baseball number.

When Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls in March 1995. he wore that No. 45 for a little while, but he soon went back to the iconic No. 23 jersey.

Regardless, No. 45 became the stuff of legend, as did Jordan's stint in the minor leagues, which began on March 31, 1994, when he was assigned to the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Fun fact: Terry Francona was Jordan's manager with the Barons!

Francona played nearly 10 seasons in the MLB, but is best known as a manager. He led the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. He is currently the manager of the Cleveland Indians, and led the franchise to a World Series berth in 2016.

Now, have a look at this fun clip: Francona at third base during Jordan's brief stint in the Arizona Fall League with the Scottsdale Scorpions in 1994.

While Francona is sharing his thoughts on the global superstar, Jordan hits a triple, hustling into third base.

Now, let's get to the real thing.

In 1994, a week after he was assigned to Birmingham, Jordan played in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field on April 7, starting in right field.

Have a look at the highlights below:

Jordan lit the minor leagues on fire, boosting attendance astronomically and increasing media coverage exponentially.

Jordan, of course, would return to the NBA in 1995, leading the Bulls to championship seasons in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

But that short time in the minor leagues became a legendary part of an already legendary career.

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