30 FOR 30: JORDAN RIDES THE BUS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of sports documentaries presented by ESPN about important people and events from 1979 to 2009.
This film profiles basketball player Michael Jordan and his brief attempt to start a career as a minor league baseball player. On June 20th, 1993, the Chicago Bulls, led by Jordan, defeat the Phoenix Suns to win the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year. Soon thereafter, on August 13th, 1993, Jordan’s father, James Jordan, is found dead in a creek on the border between North and South Carolina, apparently murdered. The death of his father deeply affects Jordan emotionally, and on October 6th, 1993, Jordan announces his retirement from basketball, motivated partially by fatigue and partially by his father’s death. He confides in his friends that he wants to play baseball, as it was always his father’s dream for him to become a baseball player. Many are incredulous, and Bull coach Phil Jackson talks to him about his decision. Jackson is unable to talk Jordan out of changing his mind. Jordan makes his announcement, and by February 7th, 1994, Jordan goes into training camp for the Chicago White Sox. Some dismiss the entire thing as a hoax, but Jordan is genuine about his desire. The White Sox end up inviting him in, and on February 15th, 1994 he reports for spring training in Nashville, Tennessee.
Some players and managers are resentful of Jordan’s arrival, believing that he is arrogant to assume he can “drop in” and become a star baseball player without the years of dedication and hard work put in by other professional players. The assumption of most is that he will fail miserably, but Jordan puts in his best effort regardless of these opinions. He works closely with White Sox batting coach Walter Hriniak, but his early game performances prove to be disastrous, as Jordan is not yet familiar with the intricacies of the game. As time passes there comes to be a dichotomy between people who believe Jordan’s actions are ridiculous, and those who appreciate his attempts at baseball. Sports Illustrated writer Steve Wulf writes a story about this dichotomy, but it is published as a straight indictment of Jordan which he admits is too “smarmy” for his own taste. At the same time, rumors in the media circulate about gambling debts associated with the Jordan family, further adding controversy to his situation. These accusations about his compulsive gambling prove to be irritating for Jordan.
On April 8th, 1994, Jordan is sent to play as a right-fielder for the Birmingham Barons in Birmingham, Alabama, a double-A minor league affiliate of the White Sox. News of this spreads quickly, and fans crowd about the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium to purchase tickets to see Jordan. Mary Milton, the Barons’ realtor, recounts showing Jordan around and helping him pick out a house to live in. His first game attracts a capacity crowd and enthusiastic cheers despite his poor performance during the game. Despite Jordan’s attempts to keep a low profile, the Barons continue to attract sold-out crowds throughout their entire season. His teammates appreciate the attention they received as a result of the increased focus on Jordan, and the fact that he attempted to accommodate as many of his fans as possible. They recount that he enjoyed traveling with the team on the bus during their away games; there he would not be accosted by fans or media, and he could interact with them as any other player would.
Meanwhile, the basketball world remains deeply affected by Jordan’s absence, described as “a huge void.” Jordan struggles with his baseball career, particularly after his fans start to turn on him and mock him for his low batting average. The coaching staff of the Barons work to readjust Jordan’s athletic sensibilities, as he is unable to fully adjust to the specific physical challenges of baseball. The coaches note that despite this, Jordan works tirelessly to improve his game and is fiercely competitive about it. Eventually Jordan’s skills improve and he starts to understand more about the mechanics of the game. On July 30th, 1994, Jordan hits his first home run, much to the excitement of the crowd. Despite his newfound success, media sources such as Sports Illustrated refuse to acknowledge Jordan’s growing skills as a professional baseball player. By October 1994, Jordan’s batting average improves substantially and he plays in the Fall League, representing the best of the minor leagues. In light of the 1994 baseball player’s strike Jordan is offered a chance to be a major league replacement player, but he feels that he cannot do so due to a combination of legal and moral qualms. He eventually decides to return to basketball on March 18th, 1995, but some believe that if not for the strike he would have continued on in baseball and eventually made it to the major leagues on his own. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ESPN
- DATE: August 24, 2010
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 114722
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries; Sports
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Sports; TV - Public affairs/documentaries; TV - Sports
- SERIES RUN: ESPN - TV series, 2009-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven Michaels … Executive Producer
- Jonathan Koch … Executive Producer
- Keith Clinkscales … Executive Producer
- John Dahl … Executive Producer
- Joan Lynch … Executive Producer
- Connor Schell … Executive Producer
- John Skipper … Executive Producer
- Bill Simmons … Executive Producer
- John Walsh … Executive Producer
- Eric M. Johnson … Coordinating Producer
- Tiffany Reis … Coordinating Producer
- Shelley Storm … Coordinating Producer
- Alex Piper … Producer
- Mitch Piper … Producer
- Kristen Rocky … Associate Producer
- Kellie Davis … Associate Producer
- Cory Schwartz … Associate Producer
- Deirdre Fenton … Associate Producer
- Scott Henry … Field Producer
- Mike Tollin … Consulting Producer
- Ron Shelton … Director
- Matthew Horowitz … Researcher
- David Bridgers … Interviewee
- Donald Jacobs … Interviewee
- Jerry Reinsdorf … Interviewee
- Phil Jackson … Interviewee
- Steve Wulf … Interviewee
- David Falk … Interviewee
- Jack McCallum … Interviewee
- Steve Kerr … Interviewee
- Sam Smith … Interviewee
- Bill Hardekopf … Interviewee
- Mary Milton … Interviewee
- Scott Tedder … Interviewee
- Wayne Martin … Interviewee
- Kenny Coleman … Interviewee
- Chris Pika … Interviewee
- Terry Francona … Interviewee
- Jim Thrasher … Interviewee
- Roy Johnson … Interviewee
- Mike Barnett … Interviewee
- Kirk Champion … Interviewee
- Jack Rouss … Interviewee
- Rubin Grant … Interviewee
- Walter Hriniak
- James Jordan
- Michael Jordan