Resigned fans wish Jordan well

CHICAGO, Jan. 12 (AP) -- For 13 seasons, Michael Jordan thrilled Chicago with his amazing talent, making moves and hitting shots that seemed humanly impossible, giving the city six championships and countless more memories.

Now that it appears to be over, his fans are repaying him the only way they can: with best wishes and heartfelt thanks for the wonderful ride.

"It's just unbelievably lucky we got to live in Chicago when he played," said Jeff, one of the many callers Monday night to WSCR, an all-sports radio station. "But at the same time, I think he picked the right time."

Jordan plans to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The news broke late in his adopted city, long after most residents had turned off their televisions and radios and gone to bed. Those who were awake, though, immediately flooded telephone lines at the city's all-sports radio stations to see if the news was true.

"It was crazy for a while," said Fred Huebner, host at WSCR. ``The moment it came over, the phone lines lit up. It went from one or two calls to every phone line lit."

It became almost like an Irish wake, with callers sharing their favorite Jordan memories and debating exactly which shot or game best symbolized his greatness.

"I don't think people are going to take to it too well, but I think everyone saw it coming," said Steve Reiter, the entertainment manager for the Cubby Bear Lounge, located across the street from Wrigley Field.

"It was an easy way for Jordan to retire with the lockout and such. It was easy for him to bow out."

And understandable. When he retired in October 1993, burned out and still reeling from his father's brutal death, his fans were stunned. He was at Comiskey Park for a White Sox playoffs game when the news spread, and soon all eyes were on him. The baseball game was forgotten.

But this time, fans are ready to let His Airness go. He has given so much joy to this city, and is adored like no one else. If this is what Jordan wants, good luck. His favorite coach is gone, and his last-second, championship-winning shot last June seemed like a fitting end.

He had all but retired at a golf tournament in July, saying he'd make a final decision when the lockout ended. Fans hoped he would change his mind like he did in 1995, when he unretired, but they also braced themselves for the inevitable.

"All I can say is I'm truly blessed, and anyone who was born in my generation in Chicago is truly blessed," said Glenn, another caller to WSCR. "I'm happy for him and everything. It's all about change, it's all about life."

But even if he's no longer playing, Jordan won't fade from this city's memory anytime soon.

"I go by the old adage that anyone's replaceable," Reiter said. ``But I think he's the exception to the rule. I don't think anyone can replace him."