The 10 Biggest Superstars Who Returned Home to Play
There's a reason why the old adage "there's no place like home" will forever be true.
As we've probably all experienced, when in familiar territory, things just have a certain energy about them, allowing us to stay relaxed and free, while being surrounded by friends and family. And in sports, there are some superstar athletes who value this more than other factors.
With a few of the most popular names in sports returning to suit up for their hometown teams, here are the 10 biggest superstars who pulled off the move to get some of mama's home cookin'.
Adrian Gonzalez
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Former Miami Marlins No. 1 overall pick Adrian Gonzalez only excelled enough to become one of the best hitters in the MLB when he was traded to his hometown San Diego Padres.
Sparingly playing for the Texas Rangers as a 22- and 23-year-old, Gonzo was shipped to the Padres before the 2006 season and never looked back.
Averaging 32 homers, 100 RBI, batting .288 and collecting three All-Star appearances as a member of the Padres from 2006 to 2010, Gonzalez absolutely shone while playing back home.
Clyde Drexler
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Fans best remember Clyde Drexler for his days with the Portland Trail Blazers. But it wasn't until the Basketball Hall of Famer joined a former collegiate teammate of his on the Houston Rockets that he ended up with some jewelry.
And it was in the city the two had called home together in college.
Going to both high school and college in Houston, Drexler teamed up with Hakeem Olajuwon to help the Houston Rockets win their second straight NBA title in 1995. That title came 12 years after the two were shocked in the NCAA title game by the North Carolina State Wolfpack as members of the Houston Cougars.
Talk about sweet revenge.
Rickey Henderson
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A Hall of Famer who holds the all-time record for most stolen bases in MLB history, former outfielder Rickey Henderson accomplished just about everything a ballplayer could during his incredible 25-year career.
Two of his biggest moments had to come when he won both a World Series title and the AL MVP for his hometown Oakland Athletics, though, as he did in 1989 and '90, respectively.
Enjoying four different stints with the A's throughout his time in the big leagues, it's obvious that Henderson just couldn't let the Bay Area leave his heart.
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Julius Erving
4 of 10Growing up about 30 miles outside of New York City, Basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving got his chance to shine for a Big Apple team from 1973 to 1976, as he donned the uniform of the then ABA's New York Nets.
Leading them to a title during the 1973-74 campaign, Dr. J was known as one of the most exciting players in basketball. He helped pioneer an exciting brand of hoops that saw the ABA eventually merge with the NBA in 1976.
Erving later made his mark with the Philadelphia 76ers after his time in New York City, but it was at home where he collected the two of his three world titles and played for familiar faces.
Chris Chelios
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One of the best defensemen in NHL history, Hall of Famer Chris Chelios might also be the best American-born NHL player, as he lasted 26 seasons in the league and won three Stanley Cup titles.
And while that's all well and good, it was Chelios' nine years in his hometown of Chicago that have to be the most memorable to him.
An absolute icon in the city's sports scene, Chelios was one of the faces of the Chicago Blackhawks through the '90s, winning two Norris Trophies as the league's top defenseman while there. Unfortunately, Chelios never could hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in front of his hometown fans.
Warren Moon
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It may have been a long and unusual path for former NFL quarterback Warren Moon to reach the Hall of Fame, but it was one that included starring in a couple of different pro leagues to develop into one of the game's finest dual-threat passers.
While Moon didn't technically grow up in Seattle—graduating high school and spending a year at a JUCO in Los Angeles—he transferred to and eventually played at the University of Washington from 1975 to 1977.
After a star-studded CFL career that included various records, Moon finally broke into the NFL before the 1984 season. He returned to the Pacific Northwest to start 25 games for the Seattle Seahawks late in his career, making a Pro Bowl in 1998.
Moon remains the Seahawks' radio broadcaster today.
Dwyane Wade
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Three-time NBA champ Dwyane Wade provided the most recent instance of a superstar athlete returning to his roots. He left the Miami Heat for the Chicago Bulls, something many of us never thought we would ever see in our lifetimes.
Unfortunately, the business of sports sometimes makes things like this happen.
Unable to get a new contract done with Miami, Wade felt disrespected enough to bolt from the only franchise he had ever known. He made one of the most difficult—and rewarding—decisions of his life to take his talents back to Chicago.
Wade's one of the best of his generation, so it's sad to see him leave South Beach, but, if anywhere, his hometown seems like the ideal place.
Nolan Ryan
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A Hall of Famer who has fanned more batters than anyone else in MLB history, flame-thrower Nolan Ryan proved to be one of the most unhittable hurlers the game had ever seen. Seven no-hitters will give a guy that kind of reputation.
Growing up in a suburb of Houston, Ryan got a chance to show his nearby hometown just how gifted of a pitcher he really was. He starred for the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1988 and enjoyed a 106-94 record with a 3.13 ERA.
Ryan is most associated with the Texas Rangers. But he actually spent more time with the Astros than any other team during his career, with Houston giving him his first taste of pitching in Texas as a major leaguer.
Ken Griffey Jr.
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It's a shame that injuries got the worst of Ken Griffey Jr., because, when healthy and in his prime, there wasn't a single ballplayer who did the things that "The Kid" was capable of.
Junior displayed one of the sweetest and most memorable swings in MLB history. He was already being talked about as an all-time great by the time he was 30 years old, with Cooperstown already chiseling away a plaque with his face on it as he raced up the all-time home run list.
Things changed once he was traded to his hometown Cincinnati Reds from the Seattle Mariners in 2000, though.
After watching his dad play for the team during his playing career, the young Griffey could never stay healthy enough to make much of an impact. He still garnered the most first-place votes ever during last year's Hall of Fame vote.
LeBron James
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While many of these other athletes had already written their legacies before returning home—with many of them doing so late in their careers—LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 still very much in his prime.
After four years with the Miami Heat, which included four-straight NBA Finals trips and two championships, James came home to northeastern Ohio after admitting that his decision was "bigger than basketball."
Promptly leading his Cavs to the NBA Finals in his first year—where they fell short against the Golden State Warriors—LeBron accomplished his mission this past season. James copped revenge on the Dubs to win the first major pro sports title in Cleveland since 1964. Talk about a way to celebrate coming home, huh?
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