Most collectors obsess over Michael Jordan’s basketball cards. And rightfully so! But there’s also a fascinating collection of Michael Jordan baseball cards thanks to his detour into America’s pastime.
These pieces of cardboard help us remember an unexpected chapter in Jordan’s professional sports career, and many are still affordable.
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5 Michael Jordan Baseball Cards Worth Chasing
According to Sports Illustrated’s Jason Schwartz, these five Jordan baseball cards are the cream of the crop:
1991 Upper Deck SP1: The foreshadowing of Jordan taking some BP before anyone ever realized he’d seriously pursue baseball is amazing here.
1994 Classic #1: This gorgeous minor league issue led off the Classic set. That tells you how much star power he commanded!
1994 Fleer ProCards: If you’re looking for Jordan cards that won’t break the bank, this is one of them.
1994-95 Collector’s Choice #23: Although this was a basketball card release, they allowed #23 to be unique from the rest.
1995 Upper Deck Minor League: Ironically, the “Top Prospect” card was released just as he returned to the NBA
The 1991 Upper Deck: A Card That Predicted the Future
Jordan’s 1991 Upper Deck SP1 card was fascinating because it captured His Airness taking hacks at Comiskey Park on July 25, 1990. For those keeping track at home, that was just about three years before he’d actually suit up for the Birmingham Barons.
Upper Deck was apparently thinking ahead when they inserted this short print (one per 72 packs!) into their baseball set.
During that BP session, Jordan reportedly launched two homers, including one to the upper deck (don’t you just love the play on words?!). Foreshadowing? Maybe. Either way, this card is one of the more intriguing “what if” moments in sports card history. It’s still hard for me to believe Jordan diverted from the NBA to play baseball, but it really happened (that was tough for this ’90s kid to process, ya know).
Current valuations for PSA 10 examples hover around $400-600, with raw near-mint copies available in the $50-100 range. That’s a steal compared to Jordan’s basketball rookies, which can fetch five and six figures even in lower grades. The baseball cards offer a legit entry point for collectors who want a piece of MJ history without having to take out a second mortgage.
How Jordan’s Baseball Cards Stack Up Against His Iconic Basketball Ones
A PSA 10 1986-87 Fleer Jordan basketball rookie recently sold for over $200,000. His 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green? That costs more than $350,000. These investment-grade rarities are in a different stratosphere.
But flip over to baseball, and suddenly things get interesting for those with smaller budgets. Even Jordan’s best baseball cards rarely crack four figures. This creates a fascinating dynamic where collectors can own authenticated, high-grade Jordan cards without needing a large sum of money.
The disparity makes sense when considering Jordan’s .202 batting average and three home runs across 127 games for Birmingham. He never reached The Show, so these cards document an experiment rather than an achievement. But that’s exactly what makes them compelling.
Why These Cards Matter More Than Their Price Tags Suggest
Beyond the affordable entry points and nostalgic appeal, Jordan’s baseball cards are genuinely unique when considering the overall situation. The most dominant basketball player ever spent a year in the Southern League, immediately after winning three straight NBA titles. And once he returned to the basketball court, he’d go on to win three more championships.
The 1995 Upper Deck Minor League issue labeled Jordan a “Top Prospect” even though it seemed like his return to the NBA was inevitable. When he sent that legendary two-word fax (“I’m back”) on March 18, 1995, it closed the book on his baseball career. However, these cards became artifacts of an interesting sidebar, evidence of the year Michael Jordan shagged fly balls instead of draining buckets.
For collectors who appreciate the story behind the cardboard, that narrative matters as much as any population report. You’re buying a piece of the most surreal “what if” in modern sports. And at these prices, many can afford it.
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