Johnny Damon and the 20 Athletes We'd Love To See Go Home
The Boston Red Sox claimed Johnny Damon off of waivers yesterday, causing hundreds of thousands of fans to have flashbacks to a magical time in the fall of 2004. Damon, the face of the Red Sox and leader of the "Idiots", led the Sox to the promised land for the first time in 86 years.
He'd cemented a place in Red Sox lore, but apparently, not one on the roster, as within 3 years he'd signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent.
This happens more frequently than you'd expect in sports. Guys who were at one point the face of their franchise leave town and ultimately retire, never returning to the place where their legend was made.
But, in the spirit of Damon's potential move, I'm bringing you the list of 20 athletes who we'd like to see go home once more.
They could be retired, or the team who is home to them may not have been their first team. But it is the team they are most closely associated with, the team whose fan base loved them until they left, then swore never to love them again.
There are countless athletes who could be on this list, so if you feel I've left anyone out, feel free to let me know in the comments. We begin at number 20...
20. Scott Rolen Returns To Philly
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Scott Rolen was supposed to be the next big thing.
The second coming of Mike Schmidt.
The newest addition to the Phillies' retired jersey list.
But injuries and a perceived lack of hustle from Rolen turned this fickle fan base against him quickly. So they sent him to St. Louis in 2002. They haven't had an elite third baseman since, and something tells me Philly fans might welcome him back now.
That is, if Rolen wants to come back.
19. Vince Carter To Toronto
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This would be a very, very bad idea. I'm pretty sure Raptors fans come to games just to boo Carter at this point. But imagine the hilarity of this situation; all 12 Raptors fans wouldn't know whether to boo him or not.
18. Alex Rodriguez Returns To Seattle
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It seems like everywhere he goes, A-Rod is maligned.
In Texas, it was the contract.
In New York, it's because he's a choke artist.
But in Seattle, Mariners fans long for the days of having anything worth seeing on the left side of the infield. Or anywhere in the infield. Plus, the venom they had for Rodriguez has waned some in recent years, so I feel like they'd welcome him back to finish his career. He could close it out where he started, without the constant media scrutiny of New York.
It sounds like a win-win to me.
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17. Torii Hunter To The Twins
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Twins fans have always loved Torii Hunter. When he patrolled center field for Minnesota, they loved his thrilling home run stealing grabs, and his smile. He was the closest thing the team had to a superstar before Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau came along.
When he left as a free agent, the fans saw it as inevitable, given the team's staus as a small market club. But now, with payroll to burn, why not bring Hunter back?
16. Donovan McNabb To Philly
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Just for those Eagles fans who will read this, think it means he's coming back, and scare their families with a horrendous scream of terror.
15. C.C Sabathia Goes To Cleveland
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Because Indians fans don't have much to cheer about these days, and there's a chance Sabathia eats A.J. Burnett and the Yankees have to dump him.
14. Matt Leinart Goes Back To School
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I feel like all parties involved would like for this to happen.
Especially Matt Leinart, given how much faith Arizona's had in him to this point.
13. Franco Harris Retires In Pittsburgh
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Franco played 9 games for the Seahawks in his last year in the NFL.
Franco should have just retired a Steeler.
Now he gets the chance to.
12. Reggie Bush Returns To USC
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Given the way his NFL career has gone, I feel like Bush would like to go back to being a superstar at USC.
Given the way things have gone since he left, something tells me USC wouldn't want him back.
11. Scottie Pippen Goes Back to Chicago
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Pippen spent a couple of years in Houston and Portland before calling it quits, because the Bulls lowballed him and had treated him like crap.
They say time heals all wounds, let's give these two a chance to make amends.
10. Emmitt Smith Return To Dallas
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Emmitt Smith is not a Cardinal. He never has been, and never will be. I don't care whether he wore that jersey or not; he is not a Cardinal.
Emmitt Smith is a Cowboy. Let's right this wrong, Jerry; sign Smith and let him retire with the star on his head.
9. Wayne Gretzky To Edmonton
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When the Oilers announced they had traded The Great One to Los Angeles, there were tears.Gretzky cried, the team cried, the fans cried. Edmonton is still hurting from this trade; it's time to put a band-aid on it, and this is the best way to do it.
Shoot Wayne, you played for the Rangers; you could play for the Oilers for one final season.
8. Joe Montana Returns To San Fransisco
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Those last couple of seasons hanging on in Kansas City were painful, Joe. Why'd you do it? Why not retire a Niner, so everyone could remember you as one? There are kids who only knew you as a Chief. Give us one year, since apparently Skechers have brought you out of retirement. Show Alex Smith how it's done. Let Niners fans say goodbye properly.
7. LeBron James Takes His Talents Back To Cleveland
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Would they take him back?
Would they love him like they loved him before?
Could he re-build the bridges he's burned?
Well, there's only one way to find out. Do the right thing this time, LeBron.
6. Andre Dawson Comes Back To Chicago
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I know, he was an Expo before he was a Cub. But Andre Dawson was beloved by the fan base in Chicago, and he and Ryne Sandberg were the faces of the franchise. Sandberg retired a Cub. Dawson played two years for the Marlins.
Jim Hendry's signed stranger players before (Xavier Nady with 4 outfielders already?!); why not make Dawson a Cub forever?
5. Brett Favre Returns To Green Bay
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I can hear Packer fans screaming "NO! He's not one of us! He's a traitor, a backstabber!"
But the fact of the matter is, purple doesn't look right on Brett Favre. He wears green and gold. The only uniform people should see him in has a G on the helmet. It's not right what he did, but he's a Packer forever and ever. Let him retire for good as one.
4. Michael Jordan Retires a Bull
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This is how Jordan should be remembered. Not as a Washington Wizard, Air Jordan with a broken engine, trying to keep going. He's a Bull, or maybe a Tar Heel. Red always looked better on him than that weird blue color the Wizards use.
This does not mean you're playing, MJ. Do not make a real comeback, ok? Ok? Michael, seriously; don't... well, crap.
3. Jerry Rice Goes To San Fran
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Rice stayed too long. It was supposed to end in 2000, but he played for the Raiders and Seahawks before finally calling it quits. The fact that his legacy is tainted by those years means that he needs to come back to San Fransisco one last time. That way, everyone knows where his home is.
2. Babe Ruth To The Yankees
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Babe Ruth was a Yankee. He wasn't a Red Sock (despite playing there first), and the sight of him in a Boston Braves jersey was unnerving at best.
Fortunately, people outside of New England all remember the Babe as a Yankee, which is how it should be. It's just a shame he didn't finish his career as one.
1. Johnny Damon To Boston
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Damon resonated with the fan base in Boston more than almost anyone else. Sure, there were Pedro and Clemens, and Papi and Manny. But Damon was the leader of the Idiots, making sure the team had fun, while winning ball games left and right.
When he signed in New York, Red Sox Nation was devastated. They turned on him hard, making him feel their pain at his departure.
But now, he has returned, and I'm sure all is forgiven. Damon could retire a Red Sock. He might not. But he's gotten to go home again.
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