On July 25 1990 - years before he would professionally walk out to the diamond - Michael Jordan took batting practice at Old Comiskey Park with the Chicago White Sox before they faced Cleveland. This was an initiative which benefited his charitable foundation however little did we know at the time it was glimpse into the future.
TL;DR - just show me some Jordan baseball cards!
A collection of some of the nicest Michael Jordan baseball cards around.
Michael Jordan baseball cards span this prophetic moment, with two baseball cards released commemorating the 1990 batting practice, right through his baseball rookie season and beyond.
This includes Jordan’s first pack pulled auto, Jordan’s first box topper auto, baseball cards in a basketball product, Michael Jordan baseball rookie cards and some very nice bat and glove memorabilia cards.
1994 and 1995 basketball card sets are light on the Jordan cards. Back in those days only really actively professional players were featured in basketball card sets so if you collected Jordan you had to head to baseball.
Thankfully Michael Jordan baseball cards from his playing days do not disappoint - in fact several also make my top 10 Michael Jordan cards.
Michael Jordan White Sox batting practice cards
As part of their 1991 baseball set Upper Deck released card number SP1 featuring Michael Jordan at the 1990 batting practice with the White Sox. Estimates put the card at around one per 72 packs or one in every two boxes. The back of the card details Jordan’s two home runs with one soaring into the Upper Deck.
Card number SP1 from 1991 is readily available to add to your collection. The value can range from around $20 for a nice raw copy to $50 for a PSA 9 up to $350-$400 for a PSA 10.
This card was not, however, the first to commemorate the prophetic batting practice. That title goes to the 1990 Sports Collectors Digest Price Guide.
The SCD November 1990 issue featured on the cover Michael Jordan posing in a White Sox uniform as taken as part of the batting practice at Old Cominskey Park a few months earlier. Inside was a series of cards (which had to be hand cut) one of which included this same photo of Jordan and details of the batting practice on the back.
Each of these cards predate Jordan’s first NBA retirement and foray into professional baseball.
Michael Jordan’s first autographed card
Jordan retired from the NBA and headed to the baseball diamond just in time for Upper Deck to include his first ever pack pulled auto in their 1995 SP Top Prospects set - one of the greatest Jordan cards ever created.
The autos are not serialled and its not known how many were signed - Upper Deck doesn’t release this information for non-serial numbered cards. Based on known copies it is considered to be very low however.
Baseball card in a basketball set
I pulled one of these myself quite confused back in 1994. For their 94-95 Collector’s Choice basketball set Upper Deck included a Michael Jordan card after he had left the NBA. This card numbered 23 and part of the regular issue set featured Jordan playing baseball. Being part of the regular issue meant it also got the gold and silver signature parallel versions. The gold card in particular holds its own as an important and very nice looking Michael Jordan card.
Upper Deck didn’t stop there with this card - there was also a box topper blow-up and very rare Michael Jordan Blow-up auto box topper. These were 5x7 versions of the #23 card with the auto version featuring a huge autograph which was Jordan’s first in a basketball set.
This set actually bucks the trend at the time and features a number of other Jordan cards even though he was not playing in the NBA at the time.
The Gold Signature is valued at around $350 for PSA 9 and the Silver Signature around $30 for the same grade.
Take a look at the nice rainbow you can put together with these.
Michael Jordan baseball rookie cards
The 86-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card and 84-85 Star Co Michael Jordan XRC are unfortunately both out of reach for many collectors however his baseball rookie cards were released at a time of huge production making them considerably more attainable.
Take a look below at some of the nicest examples of the Michael Jordan baseball RC.
1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan card
I was a big fan of the design of 93-94 Upper Deck SE. The dark simplicity of the card design really sets off the excellent action shots. Unfortunately, there was no regular issue Jordan card - though there was a Jordan shadow card and inserts the retirement card and Johnny Kilroy.
In 1994 Upper Deck also included an insert in their Minor League release limited to 15,000 featuring Jordan in action for the White Sox.
Michael Jordan baseball parallel
Regular readers will know I’m a fan of parallels and in particular the Collector’s Choice parallels - especially the Gold Signature basketball cards. Here we have the very nice Collector’s Choice SE released by Upper Deck in 1995.
This card features Jordan playing for the White Sox with a very nice blue foil parallel enhancement.
This card is valued at around $50 for a PSA 9 copy.
Michael Jordan Classic cards
Due to licensing we had never seen a Jordan Classic basketball card before - however as holders of the appropriate licensing for baseball cards we get one at last. Here is the Classic and Team Issue Michael Jordan cards.
Action Packed Michael Jordan baseball card
Similar to Classic we never saw an Action Packed official release Jordan card as the company never obtained the required licensing. We did however get the Michael Jordan Action Packed promo as part of their attempt to get into the basketball market.
Here we have an official released Action Packed Michael Jordan card sporting the signature rounded corners.
Around $25 will buy you a PSA 9 copy of the Jordan Action Packed baseball card.
Michael Jordan baseball inserts
There are plenty of Jordan baseball inserts - some already mentioned - however here I’ll list out some of my favourites.
The 1994 SP Holoviews Die Cut and 1995 SP Top Prospects Jordan Time Capsule feature excellent action photos and very nice die-cut designs. Both are standout cards documenting Jordan’s famous time in baseball.
Michael Jordan baseball error card
Fleer Procards released baseball cards in the 90’s usually featuring somewhat posed, non-action photography.
1994 meant a card for Michael Jordan as the outfielder for the Birmingham Barons. Unfortunately, however the photo chosen originally was very unflattering. The card photo was changed after some had been released to the public giving us this Michael Jordan baseball error card.
It’s very rare and commands prices accordingly - Goldin Auctions recently sold a BGS 9.5 copy for $3000.
Michael Jordan baseball bat cards
Not only bat cards but also glove, cleat and jersey cards are available featuring Jordan’s time in minor league baseball. These display beautifully alongside their basketball memorabilia card counterparts.
One of my favourites is the 2000 SP Top Prospects Game Used Bat auto card - this features a piece of game used bat along with a large, bold autograph and serial numbered to only 45. In 2021 a PSA Authentic copy sold through Goldin Auctions for $6000.
Michael Jordan Scorpions baseball cards
The vast majority of Michael Jordan baseball cards focus on his short time with the White Sox/Birmingham Barons however we shouldn’t forget his time with Arizona’s Scottsdale Scorpions. Jordan actually wore the number 35 for the Scorpions adding another jersey number to his tally - I haven’t been able to find any cards featuring this jersey number however.
The 2002 Upper Deck MJ Game-Worn Flashbacks #MJ-SS jersey card below makes mention of number 45.
I’m keen to hear from any Jordan baseball card collectors - what’s your favourite from the era and have you found anything unique?