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Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his 15-year career in the NBA, he played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, winning six NBA championships with the former. Jordan retired from professional basketball three times: in 1993, 1999, and finally in 2003. His first retirement lasted 17 months, during which he played minor-league baseball for the Birmingham Barons. Jordan returned to the NBA in March 1995, rejoining the Bulls and leading them to another three-peat championship run from 1996 to 1998.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First retirement | October 6, 1993 |
| Age during first retirement | 30 |
| Reason for first retirement | Lack of desire to play, physical and mental exhaustion, pursuing a baseball career |
| Comeback | March 18, 1995 |
| Second retirement | January 13, 1999 |
| Age during second retirement | 36 |
| Reason for second retirement | N/A |
| Third retirement | April 2003 |
| Age during third retirement | 40 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, arguably the most recognizable athlete in the world, announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 30. Jordan had just won his third straight NBA Championship and third NBA Finals MVP with the Chicago Bulls, playing the best basketball of his career. Jordan's decision to retire from the NBA after nine seasons shocked fans and the world, as he was at the peak of his career and had just achieved a lot of success.
Jordan himself said that he loved the game of basketball and always would, but he felt that he had reached the pinnacle of his career and didn't have anything else to prove. He added that he might return to basketball someday if he desired to play again and needed a new challenge. Jordan's first retirement was the first of three eventual retirements, as he would go on to retire and return to the game two more times.
Jordan's decision to retire came as a surprise to many, as he had everything going for him and didn't seem like he would ever lose again. However, there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and the hassles that came with it. In addition, Jordan's father, James, had been murdered in North Carolina a few months before, which was a major blow and may have played a factor in his decision.
During his first retirement, Jordan pursued a career in baseball. He also made an appearance in the 1996 live-action/animated film "Space Jam," which was set during his first retirement from basketball. The film starred Jordan and Bugs Bunny, who had previously appeared together in a Nike commercial during Super Bowl XXVI in 1992.
Jordan's first retirement lasted about a year and a half, as he returned to the NBA in 1995. His return sent shockwaves through the league, and many fans hoped he would stay longer, as he still had the skills to compete at the highest level.
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The murder of his father
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his career, Jordan retired multiple times, leaving the NBA for good in 2003.
One of the most pivotal moments in Jordan's life was the murder of his father, James Raymond Jordan Sr., in 1993. On July 23, 1993, James Jordan went missing after driving home from a party. He was shot and killed while sleeping in his red Lexus in Robeson County, North Carolina. His body was discovered two weeks later in a swamp in South Carolina and was identified through dental records.
Eighteen-year-olds Larry M. Demery and Daniel Green were arrested and charged with the murder of James Jordan. Demery testified that Green was the one who pulled the trigger, and both received life sentences. Green, however, has always maintained that he did not kill James Jordan but helped dispose of the body. In 2018, new evidence emerged suggesting that Green did not commit the murder, and the case was reviewed for a potential new trial. In 2024, the judge who presided over the murder trial petitioned for Green's release, but the parole commission hearings were kept confidential.
Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time in October 1993, just a few months after his father's death. During a press conference, Jordan shared that his father's passing made him realize how short life is and how quickly things can end. Jordan's retirement shocked the basketball world, as he was only 30 years old and at the peak of his career. Some speculated that he wanted to spend more time with his family or that he was burned out from the pressure of being the best player in the world. Jordan himself stated that he had lost his motivation to play basketball but left the door open for a possible return, which he indeed made two years later.
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Jordan's baseball career
Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003. Jordan took a break from basketball in 1993, following the murder of his father, James, who was reportedly his biggest fan and envisioned him as a professional baseball player. Jordan returned to the NBA in March 1995, after spending the 1994 baseball season with the Birmingham Barons, a minor-league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Jordan's hitting coach, Walt Hriniak, recalled that Jordan was "dead serious" about baseball, often being the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. This dedication was also noted by his coach, Terry Francona, who would go on to manage in the major leagues. Francona spoke of Jordan's respect for the game and his admiration for the man, separate from his celebrity status.
Jordan's time with the Barons was also notable for the team. One of their players, Rychel, recalled the night Jordan hit his first home run, calling it a "heck of a memory." Another player, Huff, recalled teaching Jordan the fundamentals of baseball, from holding the ball to footwork, and being impressed by his eagerness and tireless work ethic.
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Jordan's return to the NBA
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, had a legendary career spanning 15 seasons in the NBA. During this time, he won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, achieving two iconic three-peats from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. However, Jordan's illustrious career also included two retirements, in 1993 and 1999, before he finally hung up his jersey for good in 2003.
Jordan's first retirement in 1993 came as a shock to the basketball world. Just four months after winning his third consecutive championship with the Bulls, a 30-year-old Jordan walked away from the game, citing a lack of motivation and a desire to spend time with his family. He pursued a career in baseball, honouring his father's dream, and spent the 1994 season with the Birmingham Barons, a minor-league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Jordan's love for basketball, however, proved too strong. In March 1995, after 17 months away, he announced his return to the NBA with a simple yet iconic statement: "I'm back." He rejoined the Bulls and quickly got back into top form, averaging 26.9 points in 17 regular-season games. The following season, Jordan led the Bulls to a record-breaking 72 regular-season wins, averaging a league-high 30.4 points, and winning another MVP award.
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Jordan's final retirement
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a storied career with the Chicago Bulls that included multiple retirements and comebacks. Jordan's final retirement from professional basketball came at the end of the 2002-03 NBA season, when he announced his decision to leave the game for good. This followed a two-year stint with the Washington Wizards, which marked his comeback to the NBA after his second retirement.
Jordan's initial retirement came in October 1993, when he shocked the sports world by announcing that he was stepping away from basketball to pursue a career in professional baseball. This came just months after he led the Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship. Jordan played minor league baseball for the Chicago White Sox organization before returning to the NBA in March 1995. He went on to lead the Bulls to another three-peat, winning NBA titles in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
After the 1997-98 season, Jordan retired for the second time. However, he found himself drawn back to the game and returned to the NBA in 2001, this time as a part-owner and player for the Washington Wizards. He played two seasons with the Wizards, but failed to lead them to the playoffs. Despite this, Jordan showed that he could still compete at a high level, even at the age of 40.
Jordan's post-retirement life has included business ventures, charitable work, and a continued involvement in the NBA as an owner and ambassador for the game. He has also remained a prominent cultural icon, with his name and likeness still generating significant value in the world of sports and beyond. Jordan's final retirement closed the book on an extraordinary playing career, but his influence on basketball and broader impact continue to resonate.
Reflecting on Jordan's final retirement, it is evident that his decision marked a significant turning point in the history of the NBA. His absence on the court left a void that the league and its fans felt keenly. However, Jordan's legacy extended far beyond his playing career, influencing generations of players and continuing to shape the NBA long after his final game.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan retired from basketball for the first time on October 6, 1993, and returned to the NBA on March 18, 1995.
Jordan retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom. He also said that he no longer had the desire to play.
Yes, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA on March 18, 1995, with a two-word press release: "I'm back".
Michael Jordan retired from basketball three times. His first retirement was in 1993, followed by 1999, and finally 2003.
After his first retirement, Jordan took up minor league baseball. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in February 1994 and played for their minor league affiliate, the Birmingham Barons.
