Bitter And Sweet Homecomings

Dwyane Wade — Nov. 10, 2016

For 13 years, Dwyane Wade made plenty of what the Miami Heat call "winning plays." He made another one in his return, and the Heat didn't enjoy this one. Wade turned a debated foul call into two big free throws with 13.7 seconds remaining, helping the Chicago Bulls hang on for a 98-95 win. D-Wade scored 13 on 5-for-17 shooting. "I thought I'd shoot better, since I've been knowing these rims for a while," Wade said. But he made the two big free throws when it counted most, and acknowledged afterward that he might have gotten a break. "I got the vet call," Wade said. The three-time NBA champion and 2005-06 Finals MVP was named to 12 consecutive All-Star teams while playing in Miami.

Jimmy Graham — Oct. 30, 2016

Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham was silent about his return to New Orleans, the place where his NFL career started, avoiding media all week. He had a relatively quiet game as well, finishing with three catches for 34 yards in Seattle's 25-20 loss to the Saints. After the game Graham walked from the locker room to the stadium exit wearing headphones and ignoring several reporters' questions. In five seasons with the Saints, the 2010 third round pick made three Pro Bowls and scored a total of 51 touchdowns.

Alfred Morris — Sept. 18, 2016

Alfred Morris scored the go-ahead touchdown, his first in a Cowboys uniform, on a 4-yard run with under five minutes left against his former club in Dallas's 27-23 win over the Redskins at FedExField in Washington, D.C. Morris was drafted by Washington in 2012 and played his first four seasons there. The two-time Pro Bowl running back rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons and scored a total of 28 touchdowns. But his role was reduced in 2015 and he was allowed to leave as a free agent.

LeSean McCoy — Dec. 13, 2015

LeSean McCoy had 74 yards rushing and 35 receiving in his return to Philadelphia. The two-time All-Pro kissed the Eagles logo at midfield before the coin toss and hugged owner Jeffrey Lurie. Fans gave McCoy, who spent six seasons in Philly since he was drafted in the 2009 second round, a mixed reaction before the game with some cheers and a few boos. The Bills running back was the first player off the field after Buffalo's 23-20 loss, sprinting toward the locker room immediately when the clock expired and slammed his helmet into the wall.

Rex Ryan — Nov. 12, 2015

Rex Ryan was fired by the Jets after six seasons and immediately hired by Buffalo in January 2015. In Ryan's return to the Meadowlands on Thursday night his defense had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and stopped the Jets inside the Bills 10 in the final minutes — prompting some vigorous fist pumps Ryan repeated, along with a flying headset, when Bacarri Rambo clinched a 22-17 Bills victory over New York with a last-minute pick. "I can tell the truth, this thing is kind of like being dumped by some girl you have the hots for," Ryan said to reporters at an overflowing news conference. "Every guy in this room has been dumped by a girl. You move on, and every now and then, they call you back. And they can't have you back."

LaMarcus Aldridge — Nov. 11, 2015

LaMarcus Aldridge said his return to Portland weighed on him. Greeted by a mix of cheers and boos, Aldridge scored 23 points to lead his new team, the San Antonio Spurs, to a 113-101 victory over the Trail Blazers in his first appearance in Portland since he signed a four-year deal worth $80 million with San Antonio. "It was emotional. I have nothing but love for this city. I have so many memories in this arena so it was hard for me out there," said the four-time All-Star, who spent nine seasons in Portland before leaving as a free agent. Aldridge set franchise records for rebounds and double-doubles, while finishing second to Clyde Drexler in points.

DeMarco Murray — Nov. 8, 2015

DeMarco Murray had 161 total yards — 83 rushing and 78 receiving — and a touchdown to put the Philadelphia Eagles in position to win, 33-27, in his first game on his old home field after winning the NFL rushing title with the Cowboys the previous season. The Cowboys' 2011 third round pick also broke Emmitt Smith's Dallas franchise record with 1,845 yards in 2014. Murray received hugs from owner Jerry Jones before the game and head coach Jason Garrett after.

Andre Johnson — Oct. 8, 2015

Andre Johnson caught two touchdown passes, including a 2-yard score in the fourth quarter, to help the Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 27-20. Released by Houston in March after 12 seasons with the team, the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver had six catches for 77 yards. "When I would be on the sidelines a lot of the fans were screaming, 'Andre, we still love you! Come back to Houston! Welcome home!'" Johnson said. "So that was probably the most special thing."

David Price — Aug. 21, 2014

David Price allowed only one hit to his former team, a first-inning RBI triple to Brandon Guyer, and yet somehow took the loss as Rays defeated the Tigers 1-0. Price, traded to Detroit as part of a three-team deal on July 31, got a standing ovation while taking his warmup throws before the bottom of the first. Taken first overall by Tampa Bay in the 2007 draft, Price got the save in the Rays' Game 7 victory over Boston in the 2008 AL championship series and was the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner.

Robinson Cano — April 29, 2014

Robinson Cano got a mostly negative reaction in his return to Yankee Stadium for the first time as a Seattle Mariner. Fans booed and taunted him throughout the night. At one point fans chanted, ''You sold out! You sold out! You sold out!'' Cano, of course, signed with the Mariners over the offseason, taking their 10-year, $240 million deal over the Yankees' seven-year, $175 million offer.

Tim Thomas — Jan. 28, 2014

The Boston Bruins showed no mercy for the departed goalie who led them to the Stanley Cup, spoiling Tim Thomas' first game in Boston as a visitor with a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers. Fans applauded lightly when Thomas was introduced as the starting goalie. But after Shawn Thornton made it 5-2 just more than 8 minutes into the third period, they derisively chanted, ''Thomas! Thomas!'' ''I didn't really hear it too much,'' Thomas said. ''There were really not a lot of feelings.'' Other than the heartfelt high-stick he delivered to the kisser of Bruins forward Carl Soderberg in the third period, or course.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett — Jan. 26, 2014

Kevin Garnett stole the ball from his friend Rajon Rondo and put the finishing touch on an emotional night with a layup that helped him and Paul Pierce become winners in their return to Boston. It started with pregame standing ovations for the leaders of the Celtics last championship team and ended with an 85-79 win for the Brooklyn Nets after Garnett picked off Rondo's turnover and dribbled in slowly for an uncontested basket with 20 seconds left Sunday night. It was a rare highlight for the returning stars in a game in which they fought to control their emotions while still trying to contribute to their current team. Pierce, the second leading scorer in Celtics history, and Garnett scored just six points each, and Pierce missed eight of his 10 shots.

Peyton Manning — Oct. 20, 2013

Fans roared for No. 18 throughout a 90-second video tribute featuring some of his most memorable moments with the Colts. Manning responded to the standing ovation by stopping his warm-up throws, taking off his helmet, waving to the fans and mouthing the words ''Thank you.'' His successor, Andrew Luck threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, handing Denver a 39-33 loss - its first of the season. Manning lost a fumble, threw an interception and was sacked four times - twice by Robert Mathis, one of the few remaining holdovers from the Manning era. While Manning finished with solid numbers, 29 of 49 for 386 yards with three TD passes, he certainly wasn't himself. Passes fluttered, passes sailed, passes were broken up.

Teemu Selanne — Oct. 6, 2013

Selanne scored the most goals by a rookie in one season with 76 back in 1992-93 with the Winnipeg Jets. On Feb. 6, 1996, leading the Jets with 72 points, Selanne was traded to Anaheim. The following summer, the Jets franchise relocated to Phoenix and became the Coyotes. It took 15 years for the Winnipeg Jets to come back (formerly the Atlanta Thrashers), and two years after that for arguably the franchise's biggest star to return. The 43-year-old Ducks' forward was given a standing ovation by a sold out crowd both during and after the game, and although he did not register a point in the Ducks' 3-2 win, he was named first star of the game.

Josh Hamilton — April 5, 2013

The Texas Rangers gave their fans plenty of reasons to cheer in the home opener, beating Josh Hamilton and the Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP while with Texas before going to the AL West-rival Angels with a $125 million, five-year contract over the winter. He finished 0 for 4 -- he was booed during pregame introductions and when he came to bat each time. Those boos became cheers when he took a strike on the first pitch in the second inning, and the sellout crowd of 48,845 erupted when he struck out swinging. After striking out again in the fourth, Hamilton lined out in the sixth and flied out in the ninth.

Dwight Howard — March 12, 2013

Orlando fans showed up in droves to express their displeasure with Howard, making signs calling him a coward and "Kobe's kid" and booing him every time he touched the ball. Howard responded to the animosity with one of his strongest performances of the year, scoring a season-high 39 points with 16 rebounds and tying his NBA record with 39 free throw attempts. At one point Howard jawed with the Magic bench, but the night ended on a kinder note as the Lakers center shook hands with the Magic's Jameer Nelson after Los Angeles' 106-97 victory.

LeBron James — Dec. 2, 2010

When LeBron returned to Cleveland, the Heat were 11-8. When James landed in Cleveland, he fully expected the outpouring of vitriol he would receive from the 20,000 people at Quicken Loans Arena, the lusty boos and obscene chants, the Quitness signs and LeBum T-shirts. What he couldn't expect was the outpouring of support he would receive from the 14 people in his locker room. The Heat blasted the Cavaliers that night, 118-90, galvanized behind their vilified teammate. They didn't know James well back then, but they cared about him enough to treat his homecoming as their own, and ensure it didn't turn into a roast. James scored 38 points, Dwyane Wade added 22, Chris Bosh 15, and three transcendent talents merged into one. The Heat won 19 of their next 20 games.

Manny Ramirez — June 18, 2010

Shipped to Los Angeles when ''Manny being Manny'' grew tiresome, Ramirez returned to Fenway Park for the first time in June 2010. Spared the honor of playing defense in front of the Green Monster, Ramirez went 1-for-5 as a designated hitter. His only hit, a sixth-inning single, triggered boos throughout the stadium.

Jay Cutler — Aug. 30, 2009

Despite hecklers numbering in the thousands, Cutler got the last laugh in his return to Denver, the city that drafted him with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft. After forcing a trade to the Bears in the offseason, Cutler marched into Denver and posted a 106.1 passer rating en route to a 27-17 Bears victory. By the end of the game, the aforementioned boos had shifted from Cutler to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who Broncos fans were still stuck with.

Allen Iverson — March 19, 2008

It took two years, but in March 2008, Iverson returned to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded to the Nuggets in December 2006. The sellout crowd showered their former franchise player with affection, giving him a standing ovation that ended only because the PA announcer continued to announce the rest of the Nuggets lineup. Iverson didn't disappoint, posting a vintage Iverson line with 32 points and eight assists in a losing effort.

Ken Griffey Jr. — June 22, 2007

Griffey returned to ''The House that Griffey Built'' for the first time since being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in Feb. 2000. When traded, Griffey remarked that he was finally home in Cincinnati. But as the sellout crowd of 46,340 -- who cheered for Griffey for two minutes and 54 seconds --- and a lengthy Mariners video tribute showed, Griffey might have been home all along in Seattle. On that June night, it certainly felt like it.

Pedro Martinez | June 28, 2006

Pedro didn't fare well in his return to Fenway Park (3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 H), but from the crowd's reaction, you wouldn't know it. The Fenway faithful welcomed Pedro's return with chants of ''Pedro! Pedro!'' as he warmed up before the bottom of the first. And despite his poor performance, Pedro considered the outing a success. ''The reception I got, I will always remember that as one of the best moments of my life,'' he said.

Jerry Rice — Nov. 7, 2004

In what many thought would be his last appearance at Candlestick Park, Jerry Rice was a relative non-factor. He caught one five-yard pass and received a standing ovation. Rice would return to San Francisco in 2006, when he signed a contract with them, allowing him to retire as a 49er.

Alex Rodriguez — May 21, 2004

Boos rained down on Rodriguez at every opportunity. Unfazed, Rodriguez quelled the fervor slightly with a two-run home run in his first at-bat. The sellout crowd continued to boo however, when Rodriguez grounded out in his second and third at-bat. Rodriguez claimed the reception was nothing compared to how Seattle fans welcomed him back in 2001.

Michael Jordan — Jan. 19, 2002

A clearly emotional Jordan had to fight back tears in his return to Chicago. It began with a three-minute ovation from the Bulls fans. ''When the crowd started that whole thing, it made it tough for me to play,'' Jordan said, and he was right. He would finish with a career-high nine turnovers and was just 7-of-21 from the floor, finishing with 16 points. ''It's like playing a relative,'' he said, ''it's not as intense, you're not quite as motivated.''

Shaquille O'Neal — March 23, 1997

Shaq's highly-anticipated return to Orlando, after the franchise center bolted for Los Angeles in the offseason, was a complete dud. An injured O'Neal sat out the game.

Reggie White — Sept. 18, 1994

Whether you left town on good terms or not, Eagles fans are going to boo you. White, arguably one of the greatest players in Eagles franchise history, heard more boos than cheers during his pregame introduction at Veterans Stadium in September 1994. "One guy called me a traitor," White said after the Eagles' 13-7 victory, "But I thought the reception overall was good." Good for Philadelphia at least ...

Marcus Allen — Nov. 14, 1993

Marcus Allen had played his whole career as a member of the home team at the Coliseum. He played four years there with USC, and then 11 more as a Raider. But on Nov. 14, 1993, Allen made his first visit to the Coliseum as a member of the visiting Chiefs. After receiving an ovation from the sellout crowd, Allen rushed for 85 yards and made several big plays that carried the K.C. to a 31-20 victory. After one such play, a Raiders fan yelled up to Al Davis' private booth, "Nice move, idiot," in reference to letting Allen slip away. It was as if he said what everyone was thinking that day.

Barry Bonds — April 9, 1993

Pittsburgh fans are clever. In Bonds' first game in Pittsburgh after leaving the city for a then-record contract with the Giants, Pirates fans blanketed the field in fake money. Bonds was unfazed however, as he went 2-for-4 with a double, triple and three runs scored.

Eric Dickerson — Sept. 17, 1989

Dickerson returned to Anaheim Stadium for the first time since being shipped to the Indianapolis Colts in what is considered the trade of the decade. The game didn't sell out, but the fans in attendance let Dickerson know that they didn't miss him. Dickerson prevailed in spite of the negative energy, rushing for 116 yards and catching five passes for 47 yards.

Wayne Gretzky — Oct. 19, 1988

When Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles King in 1988, it was as if Canada had lost a family member. He was a hero who had won four Stanley Cups for the team, and when he left for the bright lights of Hollywood, the country felt betrayed. In Oct. 1988, those feelings of resentment had faded though, and a visiting Gretzky received a four-minute standing ovation from the Edmonton crowd.