NBA legend Michael Jordan once revealed a dangerous habit he developed playing baseball in high school. Jordan’s first love was baseball. It stayed that way until he became a basketball sensation. It was also his father, the favorite sport of James Jordan Sr. But the urge to play baseball never dissipated and MJ and his family often talked about returning to baseball. And he retired from the league to try his hand at baseball.
Jordan revealed a habit he picked up playing baseball in high school. And it was chewing tobacco. Jordan opened up about this habit in an interview with Kevin Cook.
Michael Jordan opened up about chewing tobacco
Cook asked MJ if he chewed tobacco. And Jordan said, “Not this time. I tried it in baseball in high school – peer pressure – and got a little sick. So in the minor leagues, I stuck to sunflower seeds. I spat them all over the canoe, practicing my accuracy. We played basketball that way, spitting seeds on a Gatorade Cup. I improved, but not on a professional level.
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Chewing tobacco was very common among baseball players at the time. So when he started playing baseball again, he wanted to change his habits and stop chewing tobacco. MJ chose to use sunflower seeds when he played minor baseball with the Barons. Despite MLB’s efforts to remove smokeless tobacco from the league, it’s still around.
Michael Jordan talked about the camaraderie between baseball players versus basketball. He said, “I always think baseball is the greatest fun, the best camaraderie you can have.”
He mentioned how baseball players hang out together even after games, while basketball players tend to head in different directions after the game. Jordan added that he was still in touch with many of his players with the Barons. This was after MJ made a comeback to the NBA and won more championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Do you think Michael Jordan could have been a successful baseball player? Let us know in the comments.
