The White Sox might not have planned for Michael Jordan to make the big league roster when he switched from basketball to baseball.
But they changed a big leaguer’s jersey number so that Jordan could wear No. 45 at spring training.
White Sox pitcher Scott Ruffcorn wore No. 45 during his first taste of the major leagues in 1993. But when everyone showed up to spring training in Sarasota, Florida, in 1994, Jordan was the new No. 45.
“I didn’t know it was his number. They gave me the number,” he said. “I wanted double zero, and then they gave me 45.