Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. talks Michael Jordan’s ultimate challenge

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While Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr may be the latest Major League Baseball (MLB) athlete to sign with Jordan Brand, he is by no means new to the brand itself. As a kid, Chisholm met Jordan at a Jordan Brand softball game and asked Mike for his autograph. The GOAT declined his request and gave a fairly typical response: “Let me want your autograph.” From that moment on, Chisholm made it a personal goal to one day trade autographs with Jordan.

Jazz, who was born in Nassau, Bahamas, describes the sneaker world he grew up in being dominated by Jordan. “When I was growing up, the really popular Jordans were the VIII, VI and X,” he said. Chisholm moved to Wichita, Kansas to attend high school, where he played on the varsity basketball team wearing his favorite childhood “Aqua” Air Jordan VIII shoes. Early in his baseball career, Jazz played for Nike but continued to pursue opportunities with Jordan Brand.

After consulting with MLB players Gio Gonzalez and CC Sabathia about their relationship with Jordan, he joined the brand in March 2023 despite a very lucrative offer from Nike.

Since signing, he has been most frequently seen on the court wearing his favorite Jordan model, the Air Jordan I. “The crazy thing is, I don’t think anyone grew up liking Jordan,” he said, in stark contrast to today’s trends. Now, kids from Nassau can get them for free. Thanks to his new deal with the brand, Mike has his own Jazz Chisholm Jr autograph.

Photo via Getty Images.