It was 1994. Jordan was able to begin his second professional sporting “career” with Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox Class A affiliate. Two former college stars from Mississippi were part of the Barons: Kerry Valrie of Southern Miss and Chris Snopek, both of Ole Miss. To show how bold Jordan was trying, I mention Snopek & Valrie. Snopek hit.407 once and was a powerhouse for Ole Miss. When he wasn’t playing safety for Southern Miss, Valrie was a fast, line-drive hitting baseball star. Both Snopek, and Valrie had spent many years in minor leagues before moving up to Class AAA. This is the level that will determine whether or not they make it to the top of professional baseball. Many people say that Class AA is where you prove your ability to hit in the major leagues. After 14 years of baseball, Jordan was determined to get there. It was absurd. Jordan was without doubt the greatest athlete on earth. However, I found what Jordan was trying to accomplish unrealistic and foolish at best. This is why I wrote about it in The Clarion-Ledger. On April 8, 1994, Jordan made his Birmingham debut. I drove to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium to witness it. As you might expect, it was a circus atmosphere. A team that draws only half as many people had a standing room-only crowd of over 10,000. All national news outlets covered the event, as well as reporters from Japan or Korea. I was immediately struck by Jordan’s tall, slender frame in a baseball uniform. Then he entered the batter’s box, and he didn’t look good. Jordan was fortunate to escape calamity, even though he never got to bat. The Chattanooga Lookouts’ second batter lofted a routine fly ball to right-field, where Jordan was playing. Jordan misjudged the ball, then recovered and made a leaping catch. You’ve likely seen it happen at a little league game. It didn’t matter what, the crowd reaction might have led you to believe Jordan leapt over the moon in order to steal a home run. Jordan, batting seventh in the game, lifted a lazy fly ball, which either the right fielder or second baseman could have caught. It was taken by the right fielder. Jordan’s batting highlight was that one. He scored on both his third and second at bats. On his last at bat, he looked like an impostor flailing at a third strike breaking pitch that he missed by one foot. Jordan was there when the game was over and the majority of the sold-out crowd was still there – a sign of how important he was. Both Snopek and Valrie sang praises for their teammate. Valrie stated, “People talk about him lacking bat speed.” “All I can tell you is that he hits as many baseballs out of the park as anyone in batting practice.” Maybe, but that’s what they call batting practice fastballs. Snopek said of Jordan that if he was 22 or 23, there is no doubt he would be a Major Leaguer. He is equipped with the right tools. Jordan is only 21 years old. He cooked elaborate post-game meals, and even paid for the upgrade of the Barons’ bus that transported them from one ballpark to another in the Southern League. Valrie stated, “Everybody’s pulling for him.” He’s a great man. He wants to be part of the team as everyone else.” But he was Michael Jordan. He was a baseball player, which made him human. He was so bad at hitting breaking pitches that he was almost impossible to pitch for Class AA pitchers. In 436 at-bats, he struck out 114 times. He finally hit.202 for his season. This is right: The greatest athlete of all time couldn’t reach his Class AA weight. We should look back and remember his achievements – remarkable considering the circumstances. He did drive in 51 runs. He walked 51 times. He did steal 30 bases. The rest is history. Jordan returned to basketball the following year, leading the Bulls to three more NBA championships. This further established Jordan as the greatest basketball player ever to have played the game. He was humbled by baseball, which he said it did for so many. Jordan said that he was still learning the game. “I want to be like these young men. Although my hand-eye coordination has improved over the years, it was trained to do something different for 14 years. It will take many swings and a lot practice. “x000D_I’m here to try it.”