Ranking Baseball Comebacks: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

* This is the first of several articles featured on Jorge Says No! written by guest writer Evan Levitt featuring the most obscure, odd, and very different topics. Evan is a senior at Drew University studying behavioral science and like me has suffered through the highs and lows that come with rooting for the New York Mets. He is an avid baseball fan with a passion for the truly unique (Eric Valent anyone!), so I hope everyone enjoys Evan's take on baseball.

By Evan Levitt

This first article will feature something that has always been of interest to me...comebacks. We have seen many players retire then un-retire—sometimes multiple times. It has to be difficult to leave the game of baseball, especially when baseball is all you know and engraved as your way of life.

For some, coming out of retirement proved to be great for their careers, while others simply wasted their time.

Now we will take a look at THE GOOD...THE BAD...and THE UGLY.

THE GOOD

1) ROGER CLEMENS

How could you not put him at No. 1? While some may argue that this was not a “comeback” since he only retired during the offseason, we are going to cut him some slack and call it a comeback. Essentially, Roger Clemens was able to have a second career with the Houston Astros (and the Yankees...again).

In his four-year “comeback,” Clemens went 44-24, but MUCH more impressive was his ERA over the four-year span (2.98, 1.87, 2.30, and 4.18). Clemens was hands down one of the most dominant starting pitchers over that time frame. The fact that he didn’t win the Cy Young with a 1.87 ERA is ridiculous...what other starting pitcher had an ERA that low in the past 10 years?

2) FERNANDO TATIS

This man came out of nowhere last year so that he could raise money to build a church in his home country. As a Mets fan, I have one thing to say: Boy, am I glad he wanted to build that church. Tatis hit 11 home runs for the Mets while establishing himself as one of the Mets' best clutch hitters. Needless to say, in 2008, Tatis was a Godsend.

3) GABE KAPLER

Not too many guys have gotten to play, manage, and then play again—but Gabe Kapler did. He took 2007 “off” to manage the Red Sox's Single-A affiliate. As someone who has worked in minor league ball, I know that life in Single-A can suck...the .417 winning percentage probably didn’t leave him with a good taste in his mouth either.

Nevertheless, Gabe hit over .300 and was a key member of the Brewers' 2008 success. This year he will be making seven figures in Tampa...good move Gabe!

4) SALOMON TORRES

Could anyone blame him for retiring the first time? Torres lost the final game of the 1993 season, which ultimately cost the Giants a spot in the postseason. Torres was mercifully heckled by Giants fans after that, and subsequently his career stalled.

After 1997 he coached for a few years and then came back with the Pirates in 2001 and became one of the best middle relievers in baseball. He just retired (again) and left over $3,000,000 on the table to spend time with his family—could we see comeback No. 2?

5) TODD PRATT

By far my favorite of “the good” guys in baseball. He delivered pizza and worked at Bucky Dent’s baseball school after retiring in 1996, but only a few years later he ended the NLDS between the Mets and Diamondbacks with a solo home run. Once again...thank you.

THE BAD

1) DAVID CONE

I wish I could have put this one in “the good” category, but a 1-3 record with a 6.50 ERA definitely DOES NOT qualify as good. He tried to come back, but a bad hip (among other things) prevented him from continuing. At least it didn’t prevent him from broadcasting...

2) JOSE RIJO

The only man who got at least one Hall of Fame vote and then pitched in the major leagues afterwards. After having multiple surgeries, Rijo re-entered the MLB after a six-year hiatus to have a brief stint with the Reds in 2001 and 2002. By the end of 2002, it was clear he was done. However, it was good to see him end his career on his own terms.

THE UGLY

1) JIM PALMER

Who would have thought that I would put a Hall of Famer in the "bad" category? Well, at the young age of 45 he tried to come back with the Orioles...this lasted just one spring training game in which he compiled an ERA of 9.00 in two innings pitched. The biggest credit to him is that he didn’t continue the comeback after one game.

2) HOWARD JOHNSON

Hojo tried to come back with the Mets in 1997. He had a job lined up coaching in the Devil Rays' minor league system, but had to try for a comeback. Like Palmer, Hojo’s comeback did not make it out of spring training. Even if he wanted it to continue, who would want someone with a .129 batting average on their team?

3) BRET BOONE (x2)

Boone is unique in that he tried a comeback twice and failed both times. In 2006 he tried a comeback with the Mets and in 2008 with the Nats. People were really pulling for Bret in 2008 since his failed 2006 comeback was due to alcoholism (which he overcame). However, after a brief stint in Columbus—it was time to say goodbye FOR GOOD!!!

THE STRANGELY SUCCESSFUL

1) TROY PERCIVAL

Percival had the most interesting 2007 ever. He threw out the first pitch at the Angels home opener, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, and started the Cardinals' final regular season home game. How strange is that mix?

Percival parlayed his strong 2007 into a closing gig with the Rays and actually had a good deal of success before getting hurt. It'd be great to see Percival have a strong and healthy 2009.

POTENTIAL PLAYERS TO ATTEMPT COMEBACKS IN 2009 AND THE ODDS OF IT HAPPENING

Paul Byrd: 3:2

Salomon Torres: 5:1

Sean Casey: 7:1

Greg Maddux: 10:1

Barry Bonds: 50:1

Rickey Henderson: 1,000,000:1