In the world of sports, Michael Jordan is synonymous with basketball excellence. However, before he soared to legendary status on the hardwood, he faced a surprising setback in baseball – a setback that occurred long before he traded his sneakers for cleats.
From his early days, Michael Jordan’s destiny seemed intertwined with sports. As detailed in Roland Lazenby’s book ‘Michael Jordan: The Life,’ Jordan’s adolescent mind was consumed by the idea of becoming a professional athlete. However, making this dream a reality was far from straightforward, as it rarely is in the world of professional sports.
FYI, Michael Jordan played football, basketball AND baseball in High School. Remember this the next time someone tells you to specialize. The 🐐 didn’t. pic.twitter.com/9HnbMVx9Wg
— Devin Jordan (@CoachJordan82) May 18, 2020
Intriguingly, before basketball dominated his life, baseball was Jordan’s first love. He was skilled enough to make it to his high school baseball team, displaying early signs of the athleticism that would later define his basketball career. However, as time went on, Jordan witnessed his baseball advantages slowly deteriorate.
Therefore, his love for baseball was not merely a post-NBA pursuit; it was a passion that had its roots in his high school years. In 1993 he retired from basketball to pursue a career in baseball, a dream he had held for years.
Notably, this shift to baseball was not a mere impulse. It was a heartfelt tribute to Jordan’s late father, who had always envisioned him as a baseball player.
Michael Jordan took up cooking classes in high school
Michael’s mother Deloris Jordan upon witnessing his setback back in high school was determined to see him abandon baseball entirely. With his choices appearing increasingly limited, Deloris even suggested that Jordan enroll in home economics courses.
This was so that Michael could acquire skills like sewing and cooking. The implication was that he needed to be more self-sufficient, perhaps to attract a mate. Surprisingly, Jordan embraced this suggestion.
Lazenby stated in his book, “Chipping away at his self-esteem, she implied it might be wise to do so because he didn’t seem to be the kind of guy who could easily attract a mate. It was her way of saying, ‘Just go on in the house with the women’.”
Rather than being disheartened by his mother’s suggestion. Michael decided to give it a shot and signed up for home economics courses. It was in these classes that Jordan uncovered a hidden talent – cooking. His mother fondly recalled a particular incident where he baked a cake that left everyone astonished. So delicious was the cake that they had to call his teacher to verify its authenticity.
This unexpected detour into the world of cooking during his high school years not only broadened Jordan’s skillset but also revealed a side of him that few had foreseen.
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