Ultimate Michael Jordan Baseball Cards Guide
Michael Jordan cards remain a common topic in collecting circles. The conversation normally revolves around his legendary basketball career, but another interesting aspect deals with Michael Jordan baseball cards. While he saw limited success during his short minor league stint with the Chicago White Sox organization, Michael Jordan cards will always be a strong draw. In most instances, anything associated with is ultimately a popular collectible. Michael Jordan baseball cards are no different.
The sports and hobby world released a collective gasp when news broke that Michael Jordan would be retiring from basketball to pursue a career in professional baseball. Jordan was coming off of his third consecutive NBA title and there was no reason to believe that he would not lead the Chicago Bulls to four in a row and possibly more. Prompted by the tragic death of his father and dogged with persistent rumors regarding his reported gambling issues, Jordan took a break from the court to make a go at the game his father loved.
Michael Jordan joined the Chicago White Sox for spring training in 1994 but spent most of his pro career as a member of the double-A Birmingham Barons in the Southern League. He also played in the 1994 Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions. In the end, Jordan was away from basketball for less than two years. While his relatively unsuccessful baseball career could be viewed as the intermission for his illustrious basketball career, Michael Jordan showed he was prepared to face any challenge and both sports benefited from the experience.
Michael Jordan baseball cards will never approach the value or following of MJ basketball cards, but they give collectors a different avenue to take for collecting. Also, Michael Jordan baseball cards provide collectors with an opportunity to own a true Michael Jordan rookie card for a very reasonable price and a fun way to diversify their collections.
The following guide covers most of the notable Michael Jordan baseball cards. Since his short period in the sport was only during 1994 and 1995, most of the releases came during this time. This includes his three rookie cards and a variety of inserts and other base cards. Notable Michael Jordan baseball cards that came after this time are also included. The cards are all found in baseball products unless noted otherwise. To be clear, all the Michael Jordan baseball cards that have ever been released are not included in this guide, but many of them are here.
Ultimate Michael Jordan Baseball Card Guide and Gallery
Click on the eBay listings to shop for singles or to check completed sales values.
Rookie
Michael Jordan Baseball Rookie Cards Checklist
1994 Collector's Choice Michael Jordan RC #661
Collector's Choice made its name as a low-cost collecting option, but it remains popular with and is an appealing option for several reasons. First, it's a Michael Jordan rookie card that still can be found for just a few dollars. Second, it features a nice image of Michael Jordan that ties his two sports together. Lastly, it shows a goofier side of a player known for his incredible intensity and competitiveness. Parallels include gold and silver facsimile signatures.
1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan RC #19
Featuring an action shot, the 1994 Upper Deck rookie card showcases a slightly more intense Jordan tracking an outfield hit. This is another MJ rookie that won't set you back much. There is also an Electric Diamond parallel, which is fairly easy to find.
1994 Upper Deck Fun Pack Michael Jordan RC #170
A quirky baseball product clearly aimed at kids, 1994 Upper Deck Fun Pack is notable because it has one of the few Michael Jordan rookie cards. These can be a little tougher to track down than the others because they are not nearly as popular.
Base/SP
Top Michael Jordan Baseball Base Cards and Short Prints
1991 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #SP1
Although this was several years before Michael Jordan shocked the world by leaving basketball for baseball, the 1991 Upper Deck card provided a nice chase for collectors. While it is not considered his official baseball rookie, this card gave everyone a glimpse into the future, despite how absurd it seemed at the time.
1994 Action Packed Scouting Report Michael Jordan #23
One of many minor league cards for Michael Jordan, 1994 Action Packed Scouting Report featured a simple design that was basically just two small baseball pieces in the corners of the card.
1994 Classic Birmingham Barons Team Set Michael Jordan #23
Part of the 30-card team set from the Birmingham Barons, this 1994 release from Classic was one of the very first minor league cards for Michael Jordan.
1994 Classic Michael Jordan #1
The primary minor league release for Classic in 1994, this is one of the more common minor league cards for Michael Jordan.
1994 Collector's Choice Up Close & Personal Michael Jordan #635
"Up Close & Personal" was a 20-card subset that featured a detailed focus on some of the biggest players in the game. Michael Jordan was also included in the group and collectors can find Silver and Gold Signature parallels.
1994 Fleer ProCards Michael Jordan #633
Another team set for the Barons, 1994 Fleer ProCards has a very simple design and can be found for cheap.
There are actually two versions of this Michael Jordan baseball card as the first version was reportedly destroyed when it did not turn out as anticipated. However, several still made their way out into the market and can sell for huge amounts.
1994 Upper Deck Minors Michael Jordan #MJ23
Technically a short print in 1994 Upper Deck Minors, this early Michael Jordan baseball card features the same design as the base set, but is card #MJ23 on the back. The base Silver card is shown below and there is also a Gold parallel, limited to only 15,000 copies.
1994-95 Collector's Choice Basketball Michael Jordan #23
One of the few basketball releases to offer a baseball image for Michael Jordan, he is shown golfing on the back, which is another preferred pastime for MJ. However, Jordan (and the rest of the world) was not ready to let go and he would be back in the NBA by March of 1995.
There are several versions of this card, including French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Italian releases. Collectors can also find facsimile Silver Signature and Gold Signature parallels.
1995 Collector's Choice Michael Jordan #500, SE#238
Collectors have two Michael Jordan baseball card options in 1995 Collector's Choice. The base card (#500) is found in the main set and has a horizontal layout with Jordan in a white jersey.
Card #238 is found in the Special Edition version of the product and shows him in a black Barons jersey. Both cards are also available as Silver or Gold Signatures parallels.
1995 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #200
An overlooked gem among Michael Jordan cards, this 1995 Upper Deck Baseball release captures an interview between MJ and Harry Caray. It is rare for Michael Jordan to not be the center of attention, but he is the clear secondary feature of this card compared to Caray (and his glasses). Electric Diamond and Electric Diamond Gold parallels are also available.
1995 Upper Deck Minors Michael Jordan #45
Hat slightly askew, this 1995 Upper Deck Minors card features a classic profile of Michael Jordan and one of the final base cards for Jordan found in a baseball product. There is also a Future Stock parallel that includes a small logo in the top corner.
2007 UD Masterpieces Michael Jordan #46
A collecting favorite based on the artistic look, Masterpieces included a Michael Jordan baseball card in 2007. A whopping 19 parallels give collectors plenty of variety.
2009 Upper Deck Series 1 Michael Jordan Ken Griffey Jr. SP #KG-MJ
Found in Series 1 packs and boxes, the limited short print pairs Ken Griffey Jr. and Michael Jordan based on their shared baseball lineage with the White Sox. These can be tough to find and pricey to acquire.
Inserts
Top Michael Jordan Baseball Insert Cards
1994 SP Holoview FX Michael Jordan #16
This popular Michael Jordan baseball insert falls about 1:190 packs and shows Jordan chasing down a baseball while patrolling the outfield. A rare red die-cut parallel commands strong values and both versions feature 3D hologram technology on the front.
1994 Ted Williams Baseball Dan Gardiner Collection Michael Jordan #DG1
Part of a nine-card insert set found in 1994 Ted Williams, these colorful Michael Jordan baseball cards feature paintings on the front and back from Dan Gardiner. Jordan is also shown on the checklist (#DG-9).
1994 Upper Deck Diamond Collection Michael Jordan #C2
A vivid insert set found in Series 1 hobby packs of 1994 Upper Deck, the Diamond Collection cards were issued regionally. Michael Jordan's card was part of the Central region, noted by the card number, and it showcases a blue background.
1994 Upper Deck Series 2 Next Generation Michael Jordan #8
Next Generation was a Series 2 retail insert in 1994 Upper Deck Baseball that has a look similar to SP cards of this period. There is also an Electric Diamond parallel for the Michael Jordan card, but it was only available as a redemption in Series 2 hobby packs.
1994 Upper Deck SP Previews Michael Jordan #CR2
Found in 1994 Upper Deck Series 2 hobby packs, these SP Previews cards were regionally distributed, as indicated on the front of the card. That is the only real difference between this Michael Jordan card and the regular base cards in 1994 SP.
1995 SP Top Prospects Autographs Michael Jordan #14
Easily one of his rarest baseball cards, this 1995 Top Prospects Autograph is arguably the top Michael Jordan baseball card to own. The card holds the distinction of being the very first pack-pulled certified Michael Jordan signature. Although on-card autographs averaged one per box in 1995 SP Top Prospects, this die-cut short print card has a reported print run of just 23 copies.
1995 SP Top Prospects Time Capsule Michael Jordan #TC1-4
Another die-cut insert in 1995 Top Prospects, this four-card set offered collectors a quick recap of Michael Jordan's baseball career.
1995 Upper Deck Steal of a Deal Michael Jordan #SD15
While Michael Jordan may not have ultimately been a steal for the White Sox, this Steal of a Deal insert in 1995 Upper Deck has a refined elegance and makes it one the best-looking Michael Jordan baseball cards.
1995 Upper Deck Minors One on One Michael Jordan #1-10
Found in 1995 Upper Deck Minors retail packs, One on One covered 10 different topics for Michael Jordan in a small insert set.
1995 Upper Deck Minors Michael Jordan's Scrapbook #MJ
Another MJ insert in 1995 Upper Deck Minors, Michael Jordan's Scrapbook offered a 10-card look at Jordan's short baseball career.
2000 SP Top Prospects Game-Used Michael Jordan #B-MJ Bat Relic
One of the first baseball relic cards for Michael Jordan, the 2000 SP Top Prospects Game Used inserts included a piece of Jordan's bat.
There is also a hard-signed version limited to 45 hand-numbered copies.
2001 Upper Deck Minors MJ Salute Game-Used Relics #MJ
2001 Upper Deck Minors is one of the easiest places to find game-used baseball relic cards for Michael Jordan.
Collectors can pick between a wide variety of designs and relics, including cleats, batting gloves, bats, jerseys and a jersey-bat combo. There are also numbered parallels.
2001 Upper Deck Prospect Premiers MJ Grand Slam Michael Jordan #MJ1-5 Bat Relic
Although not as plentiful as the MJ Salute cards, collectors should not have too much trouble locating the MJ Grand Slam inserts. The five-card set features game-used bat relics for Michael Jordan.
2002 UD Minor League MJ Game-Worn Flashbacks #MJ-SS
One of the only sets to document his time with the Scottsdale Scorpions, 2002 UD Minor League includes several options under the MJ Game-Worn Flashbacks insert line.
 | Making purchases through affiliate links can earn the site a commission |
Brett
1994 Collectors Choice…..#661. I have seen the gold signature and also a gold signature that has an edition of only 2500??? What is the deal w/ that???
Trey Treutel
There’s a 5×7 jumbo gold version numbered to 2,500 copies. It was issued by Upper Deck Authenticated in 1995.