Michael Jordan is generally considered the greatest basketball player of all time, so it’s always fascinating to remember that for a brief period in 1994 and 1995, he took a break from the NBA to pursue a career in professional baseball. After retiring from basketball for the first time in 1993, Jordan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and joined their Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, for the 1994 season.
While his baseball career was short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful, collectors still cherish and seek out the few baseball cards produced featuring Michael Jordan in a White Sox or Barons uniform. From 1994 and 1995, Jordan appeared on cards from brands like Donruss, Fleer, Leaf, Pinnacle, Score, and Upper Deck. Given his worldwide fame and the unusual circumstances of his transition to baseball, original Jordan baseball cards hold significant value for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key Michael Jordan baseball cards available and what they may be worth today if in good condition.
1994 Donruss Preferred Michael Jordan #118 – This is one of the more common Jordan baseball rookie cards, featuring a clean photo of him in a White Sox batting stance. In near mint to mint condition, examples typically sell in the $50-75 range. Well-centered copies in excellent condition could bring up to $100.
1994 Fleer ProStar Michael Jordan #6 – A colorful horizontally formatted card showing Jordan at the plate. Mint copies in ideal centering sell for $75-100, with very nice near mint examples in the $50-75 range. Heavier grading demands keep raw copies cheaper in the $30-50 range usually.
1994 Leaf Limited Michael Jordan #141 – One of Jordan’s scarcer baseball rookie cards, with only 1,000 copies produced. This downtown Birmingham skyline photo auto sells for $150-250 in mint condition. Very sharp near mint copies in demand near $100. Well-kept raw copies still fetch $75-100.
1994 Pinnacle Michael Jordan #453 – One of the more iconic Jordan baseball photos, capturing his batting stance. Pristine mint PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1,000. Mint 9s trade hands near $300-450 depending on day. Near mint raw copies sell for $75-150 usually. Still quite attainable despite the star power.
1994 Score Michael Jordan #771 – A simple headshot posing Jordan in a White Sox cap. Outstanding PSA/BGS 10 gem mint examples have reached $500-800 at auction. Near flawless mint 9s sell around $200-300. Well-centered near mint raw copies sell around $50-100 usually.
1994 Studio Michael Jordan #54 – One of the rarer Jordan baseball inserts, Studio only produced 5,000 copies total. This action photo sells for $300-450 in pristine mint or PSA 10 condition. Very sharp near mint copies in demand around $200. Well-kept raw copies still fetch $150-250.
1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #493 – Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing Jordan baseball design, capturing him swinging away colorful foil boarding. Pristine mint PSA/BGS 10 gem copies have reached over $2,000 at auction. Flawless mint 9 examples sell in the $500-800 range. Near mint raw copies usually sell for $150-250 depending on centering.
1995 Leaf Limited Michael Jordan #121 – The sole 1995 baseball card of Jordan in a Barons uniform, with only 1,000 copies produced. This full body shot captures him on deck. Pristine mint PSA 10 copies sell for $500-800. Near perfect mint 9s trade hands around $300-450 usually. Nicely centered near mint raw copies sell in the $150-250 range.
Those represent some of the top Michael Jordan baseball cards still available to collectors today from his brief time playing professionally in 1994 and 1995. As one of the most famous athletes ever who detoured into another pro sport, the circumstances make his baseball cards intriguing collectibles. While obviously not as plentiful as his basketball cards from the 90s Bulls era, original Jordan baseball rookies remain attainable for most budgets if patience is exercised to find good condition copies. Cards like Pinnacle, Upper Deck, and Studio especially hold cache due to photo quality and limited production runs. Overall, Jordan’s baseball tenure leaves a unique addition to his trading card legacy worth exploring for both sports and collectibles fans alike.
