How Old Was Michael Jordan When He Retired?
How Old Was Michael Jordan When He Retired?
By Jason Bolton June 25, 2024 03:28
Michael Jordan had an incredible career with several comebacks in retirement. His retirements were seminal moments for the sport and the popularity of the NBA. Below, we discuss the precise years that Michael Jordan retired from the NBA, what led to each of these retirements, the historical context at the time he exited league service, and how it altered his career and helped shape some narrative legacies based on principle decisions.
Retirement at Age 30: Chasing Baseball
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time at age 30. The basketball world was dumbfounded when Jordan, then in the prime of his career, decided to walk away from the game and become a professional baseball player following the tragic murder of his father, James Jordan. His first retirement came after he was scheduled to play for the Birmingham Barons, a Chicago White Sox farm club, in 1994. But his baseball stint was brief. His 202 AVG just screamed at all his issues transitioning from one sport to another.
Comeback and Retirement of Basketball at 35 Years
After his brief baseball stint, Michael Jordan would come out of retirement in March of 1995 and return to the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, adding even more to his Hall of Fame status as a basketball legend. Despite remaining a dominant performer, Jordan retired again on January 13, 1999, at 35. When he announced his retirement, Jordan said he lacked the desire to play at the level where he had raised the standard and was "99.9 percent" sure he wouldn't come back. This retirement ended an era for the Chicago Bulls and left a massive hole in the NBA.
Washington Wizards Comeback and Final Retirement, 40 years old
And that wasn't the end of his basketball journey for Michael Jordan. He was later named part owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards in 2000. But eventually, he missed the game, sparking a comeback in which he became a player for the Wizards in 2001. Jordan spent his final two NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards, finally hanging up his sneakers for a third and last time on April 16, 2003, at the age of 40.
The implications of Michael Jordan's retirement
Michael Jordan's retirement had significant ripple effects on his career. With each retirement, Jordan began a new chapter in his professional journey, exhibiting the chameleon-like qualities that enabled him to thrive in many different aspects.
The finality of Michael Jordan's retirement marks the lasting legacy he placed on basketball. Jordan's retirement significantly impacted his career - from his first at the age of only 30 to his last as a 40-year-old leaving the NBA for good. They reminded us that he could still overcome adversity, be a Renaissance man for the ages, and create a legacy outside of basketball.
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