So many times in sports we see players who just don't know how to call it quits. They retire and unretire because either they can't let go, or they still feel they have what it takes to compete, or they were forced out do to sickness and have came back for a great story. It has got to the point though where we see a player or coach retire and question how long this will actually last, or start wondering where will they end up when they do make their comeback. We see this happen all the time. Some comebacks are great stories and we love them, others are iffy and they aren't much of a factor when they return, or it's sad to see when the former greats become an issue for a team to have.
THE GOOD
-Probably one of the greatest stories in sports 1996 American cyclist Lance Armstrong is diagnosed with testicular cancer. He proved everyone wrong and recovers and comes back to win seven straight Tour de France titles.
-In 2004 Roger Clemens joined teammate Andy Pettite in Houston, the season was great for the Rocket he was named starter for the NL team and won the NL Cy Young award. In 2005 he recorded his best era ever throwing 1.87, although he went 13-8 it wasn't his fault he had terrible run support from the Astros. He retired again but returned later in the season for the 'Stros and recorded an era of 2.30. He returned to his old team the Yankees in 2007 for his final season and pitched in the ALDS only to hurt his hamstring and finally call it quits.
-Floyd Mayweather Jr. came out of a 21 month retirement to beat Juan Manuel Marquez in one of the most one sided bouts ever, he then defeated Sugar Shane Mosely. Oscar De La Hoya said he was the best in the game today, but Mayweather would retire again.
-One of the best women's tennis players Martina Navratilova retired but still played some doubles and mix events, she returned in 1994 to win the Wimbledon title becoming the oldest women to win the event (47).
-One of the best boxers of all time George Foremen officially retired from boxing in 1977 only to return 11 years later in 1988, he would win the heavyweight title in 1994 against Michael Moorer, he lost it in 1997 and retired after that.
The Iffy:
-Michael Jordan retired of the NBA for shot in the MLB but a lackluster attempt he came back to run the Washington Wizards, he then came back to the court but wasn't his Bulls self and then officially brought it to an end. He is now running the Charlotte Bobcats.
-Brett Favre has been a perennial summer story, will he or wont he comeback. He had a good start with the Jets but after a shoulder injury he never got back on track. Then he went to Minnesota and had one of his best years ever only to lose in the NFC Championship game. His season this year was awful both on and off the field.
-Ricky Williams is one of the strangest people in sports just watch his 30 for 30 special "Run Ricky Run". He left the NFL pretty much to find himself and smoke pot. He then played in the Canadian League for a season then came back with the Miami Dolphins where he is apart of one of the best running games with teammate Ronnie Brown.
-Primetime Deion Sanders retired at the age of 33 but came back to the Ravens and wore 37 which represented his age. He did return get one more pick six in his two season with Baltimore but that was about the end of his Primetime status.
-Mario Lemieux was running things in the office for the Penguins then made his comeback, he was promoted to captain after Jamir Jagr left for Washington, but those three extra season for Mario resulted in last place and no playoff appearances. They did get Sidney Crosby because of the failures on the rink and now have a Stanley Cup championship in 2009.
The Bad:
-Bjorn Borg was one of the best tennis players in the 70's and early 80's ranked number one in the world. He returned in the 90's and was dreadful he finally called it quits. He tried using the old-wooden rackets and was dominated by his opponents,
-Bob Cousy won of the best players to put on the green Boston uniform had one of the worst comeback attempts. He retired from the Celtics in 1963 but tried a comeback with the Cincinnati Royals in 1969, it did not go to plan as the coach or player.
-Sugar Ray Leonard has retired and unretired more then any other athlete ever, yes even more the Favre. He was once the heavyweight champion. At the end of his career he discovered he had floating right eye that was repaired and broken time and time again. Although he won two of his fights in this return his constant controversy was always on him and his scheduling and dropping of fights was irritating to sports fans.
-Junior Seau was a great with the Chargers and after he left for Miami he had three awful seasons he then retired after his stint in South Beach. Bill Belicheck would get him back though and he performed well for the Patriots until he broke his arm and his season was over. He was then convinced to come again and started 4/16 games in the Patriots run for perfection and we know how that ended...a loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
-One of the greatest wide receivers in history had one of the worst ends. Jerry Rice looked like he was done after his final game as a 49er he was even carried off the field. He then went to Oakland made to one more Super Bowl but never caught a pass in that game and the Raiders were dominated by Tampa Bay. He then had failed stints in Denver and Seattle. Now he is right where he should be, in the Hall of Fame.
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