As Michael Jordan enters his second year as a professional baseball player, there is a tantalizing opportunity: If he makes as much improvement in 1995 as he did as a rookie, he could be a member of the White Sox before the season ends.
"If he keeps making the same improvement, he'll make it awfully tough on us not to bring him up in September," said White Sox general manager Ron Schueler.In many ways, this will be the make-or-break season for a man who will turn 32 Friday.
"He's got to make significant progress this year, or it might become a situation where he decides to hang it up," White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said.
Jordan's quest begins Wednesday when he'll report to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., and immediately begin working with the Nashville Sounds, the White Sox's Class AAA affiliate.
After that, it's almost certain Jordan will be assigned to Nashville.
"He'd have to fall on his face for us to send him back to Birmingham," Schueler said.
So what's in store for Jordan with a Class AAA team?
For one thing, the pitching will be significantly different from what he faced in Birmingham.
"He'll go from Double A, where he saw harder throwers with less command to seeing older guys who don't throw as hard but can pitch," Schueler said. "You know, the crafty veteran who doesn't have the good stuff but can get you out."
Because of his lack of arm strength, Jordan will be a full-time left fielder. The Sounds' home field - Greer Stadium - seats 16,678 and will serve as the perfect practice green given its similar dimensions to Comiskey Park.
So, Jordan will be playing in better facilities with better lighting against better athletes.
He'll also begin his second season with momentum. In his rookie season with Class AA Birmingham, Jordan hit .202 with three home runs, 51 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 127 games.
But he finished strong, batting .260 in the final month of the season, including a .304 tear over the last 15 games.
In the Arizona Fall League, Jordan batted .252 with eight RBIs and six stolen bases in 35 games.
"People thought I'd embarrass myself, and that hasn't happened," Jordan said. "And now I'll go to spring training with a lot more confidence. I'm not going to feel lost this time."
Reinsdorf said Jordan doesn't have to make it to the majors this year.
"There's still a possibility that he could make significant progress this year and still come up short," he said. "And if he makes progress, we're still willing to stand by him. But if he can't compete at Class AAA, then he's got a problem."