Jordan Brand looks to be paying homage to Michael Jordan’s brief stint playing Minor League Baseball with a new colorway of his twelfth signature basketball sneaker.
The upcoming “Black/Wolf Gray” Air Jordan 12 Retro has been given an unofficial nickname of “Barons” referencing the Birmingham Barons. Using the shoe’s classic “Flu Game”-style color blocking, the sneaker features black tumbled leather across its ribbed upper, which is inspired by the Japanese Rising Sun Flag. The mudguard and outsole are colored in gray, with the mudguard featuring its signature faux-reptile texture. Metallic silver upper eyelets and a white-based carbon fiber midfoot shank complete the look.
While not officially tied to the Birmingham team, it’s plausible that Jordan’s black-and-gray Barons uniform was on the moodboard for this colorway’s design sessions.
It’s also far from the first time Jordan Brand has alluded to the Birmingham team. In 2014, it released an on-the-nose “Barons” Air Jordan 9 — the same model Jordan wore in cleat form while playing baseball — complete with uniform-inspired pinstripes on the shoe’s liner.
The unofficial theme has also appeared on a “Baseball Glove” Air Jordan 9 as well as versions of the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 1 Low, Air Jordan 11 Low and Air Jordan 13.
Jordan spent just over a year with the Double-A Chicago White Sox-affiliated minor league team, debuting in April of 1994 and last playing in March of 1995. Although his professional baseball career was brief, the period is fondly remembered by many for being an obscure moment in sports history. On March 18 of ’95, Jordan officially announced his return to the NBA, much to the delight of his fans.
In related news, a first look just surfaced of the “Blueberry” Air Jordan 12 Retro, which is expected to be released in December.
Readers won’t have to wait long for a chance to buy this pair. The Air Jordan 12 Retro “Barons” will be released Saturday, Sept. 28 for a retail price of $200 from SNKRS and select Jordan Brand stockists. In addition to adult sizing, the style comes in big kids ($150), little kids ($90) and toddler ($75) sizes.
