BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MINORS : Jordan Doesn’t Get the Calls at Plate

As a superstar in the NBA, Michael Jordan got all the calls. As a rookie in the Southern League, forget it.

Jordan struck out three more times, prompting his first argument, and went 0-for-4 Saturday night for the Double-A Birmingham Barons in a 5-3 loss to Chattanooga.

Jordan, twice called out on close pitches, is hitless in seven at-bats as a baseball pro with five strikeouts. He started slowly in spring training for the Chicago White Sox, too, going 0-for-14 before getting three hits in his next six tries.

“I can’t be concerned about how umps are going to call me. I can’t blame anyone but myself,” Jordan said.

Jordan was called out by plate umpire Ray DiMuro on a 2-2 pitch at the knees in the fourth inning. Jordan spun around in the batter’s box, yapped at DiMuro, tossed his bat toward the dugout on the first-base side and said a few more words to the umpire.

As the teams changed sides, Barons manager Terry Francona met DiMuro for a brief discussion.

“That can’t be my concern,” Jordan said. “I shouldn’t be chasing from day one.”