Michael Jordan Against Lookouts

Michael Jordan Against Lookouts

Didn't get the big dance this year, but we did get the last dance.

The documentary series about michael jordan's career with the chicago bulls.

Last weekend, the series touched on m-j's baseball career with the birmingham barons back in '94.

Jordan of course visited chattanooga to face the lookouts that season.

The voice of the lookouts larry ward, and former news 12 now sports director kevin billingsley, recalled jordan's time in the scenic city in this story from 20-14.

He was the most famous athlete in the world, and he was coming to chattanooga.

Driving up on a bus.

Getting out and playing baseball."

Kid-"michael jordan!

Big series!"

The crowds were massive every time jordan and the barons faced the lookouts at engel stadium.

"it was a total zoo.

You have to have extra security.

Police escort to get through the crowd."

"they put a temporary fence in the outfield.

Engel was so long to hit a homerun.

Had a giant wall.

They put they temporary fence out there just to get more people in.

Media from germany was here.

People from all over the world.

People don't understand.

This was michael jordan.

This was a big deal."

Of course the buzz was even greater when jordan stepped up to bat.

"unbelievable.

It was like a major league ballpark.

The sound in your ears when you were broadcasting."

"i've never been around a situation where a guy would get up and strikeout, and still get a standing ovation."

Jordan of course struggled at the plate, and he probably struggled with the engel stadium facilities as well.

"there were four shower heads in the shower.

Did he shower by himself?

I have no idea.

Don't really care, but it was close quarters back in '94."

For ward and billingsley, it's still hard to believe this mega-watt nba star played baseball in chattanooga.

"the moment for me was before the game, we're in a minor league park.

I'm standing there along third base getting ready to do a live shot.

Then he just kind of walks by.

At that point, no matter how famous you are, you are still a double-a baseball player, and you're still sitting in that dugout."

"it was amazing just to have.

It was a historic moment in the southern league.

It was a historic moment in birmingham barons baseball.

How big of a historic moment is it today?

It happened.

That's all i can say."

Alabama's season opener with