Chicago Cubs: The real story of Michael Jordan

Chicago Cubs: In the 1990s, the Chicago Cubs played in the city owned by Michael Jordan.

Chicago Cubs and sports fans around the world enjoyed the epic first two episodes of the ESPN documentary, The Last Dance this past Sunday. While people patiently await episode three, coming this Sunday, the past week has seen countless memories and stories of Michael Jordan and the 90s Bulls being shared by fans everywhere.

No Chicago sports team in the 1990s came close to succeeding what Jordan and the Bulls did. It was mostly awful for the Chicago Cubs from 1990-1997. They were the only major team in Chicago not to make the playoffs during that span. Jordan even made a rebuilding Cubs joke in a press conference after winning the 1997 NBA title.

“Cubs have been rebuilding for 42 years.” -Michael Jordan

Despite all that, Jordan and the Cubs have shared memories together on several occasions. He has been seen at Wrigley both as a guest and as a baseball player while also building relationships with big-name Cubs personnel. Some fun stories involve M.J. and the Cubs, here are a few.

Chicago Cubs: The only MLB park Michael Jordan played in during his attempt at professional baseball was Wrigley Field.

Before everything went south for baseball in the 1994 regular season, the MLB preseason gave sports fans something special on April 7, 1994. The Cubs and White Sox faced off in their annual exhibition crosstown matchup (before the days of inter-league play) at Wrigley Field on a chilly but Sunday afternoon. Nobody cared about the teams playing; they just came to see the White Sox right fielder, Michael Jordan.

Jordan’s attempt at professional baseball was not successful, and he returned to his true calling in 1995. Still, he tried it out with the White Sox organization after his first retirement from basketball. Over 33K showed up to cheer him on and applaud every little thing he did that April afternoon. Harry Caray did a pregame interview with Jordan, who brought up his late father, James Jordan, who played baseball.

In the game itself, Jordan ended up with an RBI single and RBI double (which tied the game at four). Even when Jordan caught a routine flyball off the bat of Dave Otto, the crowd stood and cheered.

There was a play Sox second baseman Joey Cora went out into the outfield to catch a popup in front of Jordan, and the crowed playfully booed Cora for not letting Jordan catch the ball. When Caray got the crowd up to sing the stretch, he exclaimed, “What a day for Michael Jordan!”

The final score was a 4-4 tie in 10 innings. Jordan left the field when the game was called and would proceed to join the Sox Double-A club in Birmingham for the regular season. That day was the only time Jordan played in an MLB ballpark as he never made it to the majors. Fitting it was at old and historic Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs: When the Cubs had a chance to clinch a postseason spot, Michael Jordan was there.

The 1998 Cubs had tied the San Francisco Giants for the N.L. Wild Card spot (remember only one in each league then) after 162 games. That last playoff spot would need to be determined by a 163rd game at Wrigley Field between the two teams on the evening of September 28. Who would throw out the ceremonial first pitch? None other than Michael Jordan.

Donned in a blue Cubs jacket and baseball cap, Jordan strolled to the mound as 39,556 spectators stood and cheered with flashbulbs going off everywhere. Sosa would be his battery mate behind the plate. When Jordan got the mound, he took off his jacket to reveal his Sosa #21 jersey underneath.

Jordan’s first pitch sailed over a leaping Sosa and hit the brick backstop. The two superstars laughed as the crowd gave another loud cheer. Kind of summed up Jordan’s baseball career right there. A quick hug was exchanged between them and they returned to the Cubs dugout.

Some liked to say having Jordan throw out the first pitch was good karma as the Cubs went on to win 5-3 and clinch a spot in October.

Chicago Cubs: Jordan was able to celebrate with the Cubs during their 2003 playoff run.

On October 5, 2003, the Chicago Cubs won their first postseason series since 1908 in Atlanta. The 5-1 game 5 NLDS victory behind Kerry Wood still goes down as one of the best games in Cubs history. Old Turner Field was basically “Wrigley Field South” that night with the 20K+ Cubs fans in the ballpark. After celebrating on the field with all the fans, they entered the clubhouse for another celebration.

Who joined them? You guessed it, Michael Jordan! He was just hanging around, wearing a blue cap, and drinking some Bud Light. It was another moment in which Jordan and Sosa got to join each other during a historic time. Michael Morrissey of the New York Post did a piece on his visit and got some funny quotes from Dusty Baker.

“He can pretty much have free reign and go where he wants to go in anybody’s clubhouse.” – Former Cubs manager, Dusty Baker

Sadly there was no M.J. in the Cubs clubhouse during their 2016 World Series win, but this was still an awesome moment.

Will there be any mention of Michael Jordan’s post-championship hangouts with the Sammy Sosa and the Cubs in The Last Dance? Who knows, probably would not be anything more than a mention, but we will see.