Anniversary of Michael Jordan's 1st Retirement

Michael Jordan‘s stunning retirement on October 6, 1993 sent shock waves throughout world…

Today marks the anniversary (October 6, 1993) of Michael Jordan’s 1st retirement. Word spread of Jordan’s retirement the night before during the White Sox playoff game vs the Toronto Blue Jays. The Sun-Times the next had a picture of MJ (who threw out the 1st pitch for the Sox game) with the headline “say it ain’t so, Mike.” It was a stunning announcement that had people searching for answers. Some immediately linked it to his father’s passing which happened in August that year. Other conspiracy theorists said that Jordan was secretly suspended for his gambling. Just so you know, I have never thought that David Stern would suspend (and piss off) his biggest money maker. Stern might be a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. I would bet anything that there was multiple conversations between MJ & Stern where the Commish begged and pleaded for the star of stars to reconsider this decision. If you told me that Stern got on his hands and knees, I’d absolutely believe you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDekQ3T01Dc&feature=player_embedded

I remember ditching gym class the day of that press conference (I was in 8th grade) to listen to it with a couple of gym teachers on the radio in the PE office. You didn’t know what to think of it all. It was one of those moments that sticks to your brain as one of the most important moments of your life. That sounds like an overstatement, but ask anyone who is old enough to remember that day, and they’ll tell you where they were when they heard the news. It was a depressing day for Bulls and basketball fans all over the world. Fortunately, March 19th, 1995 happened…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUyR7LRGfaQ&feature=player_embedded