“Michael Jordan was the projected left fielder for the Nashville Sounds”: The 45-day story of how MJ returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995

We all know how Michael Jordan is one of the few players to have threepeated twice in the NBA. But he wasn’t scheduled to be a Bulls player in 1995.

Jordan retired from the Bulls in October 1993 in order to pursue a career in baseball. This was in accordance with what his father wished he would become in his childhood.

The 6-time Finals MVP played in the minor leagues for 2 seasons. He had a terrible first season in the professional arena, and many people tipped him to be out of a job before long.

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However, being the meticulous worker that he was famed to be, MJ improved his batting and pitching averages significantly. By the end of his second stint with the minor leagues, Jordan was well on his way to an MLB career.

Why did Michael Jordan return to the Chicago Bulls?

The much-vaunted Bulls were in a spot of bother in the 1994-95 season. Losing Horace Grant to the Orlando Magic in free agency was a huge blow for them. Chicago were treading water at the All-Star break, barely above the .500 mark.

Scottie Pippen, meanwhile, had been the subject of trade talks in exchange for the likes of Shawn Kemp. Pippen didn’t really have a good relationship with Jerry Krause, the Bulls’ GM during their period of success.

Scottie was almost traded to the Clippers on February 22nd, but Pippen heeded Ron Harper’s advice and put his foot down against the move.

February 22

🏀 Pippen is nearly traded to the Clippers in a massive deal (my explanation below with @LaurenceWHolmes)
🏀 Deal falls thru when Ron Harper tells Scottie how terrible life is with the Clips
🏀 Bulls are 4-6 in the month, game under .500pic.twitter.com/32QWIrijjx

— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) March 18, 2021

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MJ eventually became a free agent at the end of February 1995. This sparked off intense speculation about a return to the Bulls. The move was completed by March 18, and Jordan was back with the Bulls, wearing the 4-5.