11/23/24
July 04, 2002
'You can never go back.' Or can you?: With Brazillian midfielder Juninho set to return to Middlesbrough for his third spell at the club, prompting local celebration not much short of that seen in Rio on Sunday, it's time to test a truism of team sport: can players 'go back' and make it a success? Michael Jordan returned to the Bulls from retirement, but that's a bit different from changing teams and returning 'home'. Any notable examples of especially successful (or unsuccessful) returns, particularly in the partisan world of American sport?
Ken Griffey Jr. (I know that isn't exactly what you meant, but his return to Cinci has been less than successful by any measure). And he whines more than an entire Italian football side. Or is that a low blow?
posted by Bixby23 at 02:49 AM on July 05, 2002
Bob Taylor returned to West Brom, and helped them to promotion. Not exactly up there with the Man Uniteds of this world, I admit..
posted by salmacis at 08:14 AM on July 05, 2002
George Foreman?
posted by skronk at 03:06 PM on July 05, 2002
Best example I can think of offhand is Gary Williams coming back to a moribund U. Maryland basketball program and (after long, slow progress) finally turning Maryland into the national championship power that Lefty Driesell promised but never quite delivered on. Steve Spurrier also 'came home' from Duke to UF (where he'd won a Heisman.) The Gators had been on probation, if I recall correctly, right before Steve came back, and he led them to a title. (The Terrapins had not been on probation, but were still reeling from the death of Len Bias.)
posted by tieguy at 10:28 PM on July 05, 2002
Well, there was Kevin Keegan returning to Newcastle as a manager, but that would depend upon how you would define success.