Phillies minor league squad trying to recruit LeBron James

May 10 (UPI) -- The Lehigh Valley IronPigs want Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James to take his talents to Minor League Baseball.

The Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies recently made a "pitch" to "King James" by putting up a billboard. Lehigh Valley plays out of Allentown, Penn.

"Our pitch ... LeBron to the IronPigs," the billboard said, with a photo of James sporting a baseball jersey plastered on it. The IronPigs later elaborated on the farfetched ploy.

"If @KingJames really wants to catch MJ, he needs to spend a season in Minor League Baseball," the IronPigs tweeted. "Choose the IronPigs this summer. #LVWantsLeBron."

The IronPigs made another valiant effort, writing up a pitch on MiLB.com.

"If the goal is to be the greatest of all-time -- the true GOAT -- then you're doing pretty well. Being the best player in this generation is nothing to sneeze at," the IronPigs wrote in an open letter.

"But there's one major flaw in your quest. One glaring hole in your resume that continues to hold you back, that leaves you a clear level below Michael Jordan."

"A season of mediocre play in Minor League Baseball."

Jordan stepped away from his NBA career following the 1992 season. He skipped his 10th season in order to play for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He did so at 31-years-old.

James, 33, just completed his 15th regular season.

"If he really wants to be like Mike, there's only one place he can go," the Barons tweeted.

Jordon hit .202 with three home runs and 51 RBIs in 127 games for the Barons during the 1994 season. He also had 30 stolen bases.

James has a $35.6 million player option this offseason in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers battle the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.