It`s often said there`s a special feeling about coming home, and in professional sports, this rings true for many prominent athletes. The latest example is Carlos Correa, who recently rejoined the Houston Astros in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Correa was the first-round pick for Houston in the 2012 MLB draft and spent seven seasons there, including winning a World Series in 2017. He holds impressive franchise postseason records, ranking among the top four in hits (82), home runs (18), and RBI (59), according to ESPN Research.
Correa`s return isn`t an isolated incident. Since 2000, numerous other stars in U.S. professional sports have made emotional and impactful returns to the teams where they first achieved stardom. Here`s a look at some of these notable homecomings.
MLB
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
First stint: 2001-2011
Second stint: 2022
Albert Pujols` initial tenure with the Cardinals was legendary, marked by three NL MVP awards and two World Series championships over ten years. During this period, he consistently batted over .300 and drove in over 100 RBIs every season but one. In 2011, he departed to sign a massive 10-year, $254 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, then the second-largest contract in MLB history. However, the Cardinals brought him back for the 2022 season, a year that saw Pujols achieve the incredible milestone of becoming only the fourth player to hit 700 career home runs. He retired at the end of that season.
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
First stint: 2001-2012
Second stint: 2018-2019
Ichiro`s debut MLB season after arriving from Japan was arguably one of the greatest ever. He remains the only player to win MVP, Rookie of the Year, a Golden Glove, and a Silver Slugger award in the same year. This set the stage for a career where Ichiro consistently led the majors in hits, though his only postseason appearance with the Mariners was in 2001. In July 2012, after requesting a trade, Seattle sent Ichiro to the New York Yankees. He later played for the Miami Marlins before his much-anticipated return to the Mariners in 2018. He officially retired the following year in Japan, after participating in the overseas series against the then-Oakland Athletics.
Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Mariners
First stint: 1989-1999
Second stint: 2009-2010
“The Kid” quickly established himself in the majors, earning All-Star selections in all but his rookie season during his first period with the Mariners. Griffey hit at least 40 home runs in each of his final four seasons, including a league-leading 56 in 1997 when he also won the AL MVP. Ahead of the 2000 season, the Mariners traded him to the Cincinnati Reds, where he reunited with his father, Ken Griffey Sr., who was then the Reds` bench coach. Griffey Jr. had spent his childhood in the Reds` clubhouse while his dad played for Cincinnati. The Hall of Famer eventually returned to Seattle in 2009, playing two more seasons before his retirement.
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
First stint: 2009-2017
Second stint: 2023-present
Andrew McCutchen accumulated numerous accolades during his initial run with the Pirates, including five All-Star selections and the NL MVP in 2013. He also earned four Silver Slugger awards in the early 2010s, helping the franchise end its two-decade-long postseason drought. In 2018, the Pirates traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. After bouncing around the league for several years, the outfielder made his way back to Pittsburgh in 2023.
NBA
Chris Paul, LA Clippers
First stint: 2011-2017
Second stint: 2025-present
During Chris Paul`s first six seasons with the Clippers (2011-2017), the team achieved an impressive .658 win percentage, tied for the third-best in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Over these six seasons, Paul averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, consistently leading the Clippers to the playoffs. He re-signed with the franchise ahead of what will be his 21st NBA season.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
First stint: 2012-2023
Second stint: 2025-present
Selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA draft, Damian Lillard immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year and subsequently averaging at least 20 points every season. He holds the franchise records for most career points and 3-pointers for the Trail Blazers, and ranks second all-time in assists. Before the 2023-24 season, Portland traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds over two seasons. He suffered an Achilles tear during the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Milwaukee waived Lillard earlier in July, stretching his remaining contract to sign Myles Turner. This sequence of events led to Lillard finalizing a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
First stint: 2003-2010
Second stint: 2014-2018
LeBron James spent his initial seven NBA seasons in Cleveland after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft. He earned back-to-back MVP awards and guided the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007, averaging 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. Famously, he announced his departure for the Miami Heat in 2010 during an ESPN special. However, four years later, having won two championships with the Heat, he penned an essay declaring his return to the Cavaliers. James fulfilled his promise by delivering a championship to Cleveland, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
First stint: 2003-2016
Second stint: 2017-2019
Dwyane Wade established himself as one of the league`s elite guards during his 13-year stretch with the Heat. Drafted fifth overall in 2003, Wade was instrumental in Miami`s first championship win in 2006, where he earned Finals MVP by averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists against the Dallas Mavericks. He was also a key component of Miami`s “Big Three” alongside James and Chris Bosh, winning consecutive NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. In 2016, Wade left to sign with his hometown Chicago Bulls. However, in February 2018, the Heat orchestrated a trade to bring their franchise legend back, and Wade retired the following year.
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
First stint: 1996-2006
Second stint: 2009-2010
“The Answer” was a dominant force during his initial tenure with the 76ers, averaging 28 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals over ten seasons. His MVP season in 2001 saw Philadelphia reach the NBA Finals, where they won Game 1 before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Iverson became a local legend in Philadelphia, but his story wasn`t without its twists. The franchise traded him to the Denver Nuggets in December 2006, 11 days after he had requested a trade. Three years later, in need of guard depth, the 76ers signed him to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. Iverson played 25 games for Philadelphia that season before retiring.
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
First stint: 1995-2007
Second stint: 2014-2016
Before the current Anthony Edwards era, the Timberwolves` most successful period was undoubtedly with Kevin Garnett. Drafted fifth overall directly out of high school in 1995, Garnett evolved into one of the league`s premier all-around players, averaging 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds during his first stint. In 2004, he became the first and only Timberwolves player to win the MVP award. After three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs, Garnett was part of a blockbuster trade to the Boston Celtics in 2007, where he won a championship the following season. He was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. In February 2015, the Timberwolves traded for Garnett again. He played one more season before retiring the next year.
NFL
Charles Woodson, then-Oakland Raiders
First stint: 1998-2005
Second stint: 2013-2015
Hall of Fame defensive back Charles Woodson became the second-highest defensive player ever selected when the Raiders picked him fourth overall in 1998, a decision that immediately paid off. He earned Pro Bowl selections for four consecutive seasons, was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and received first-team All-Pro honors once. Woodson also played a crucial role in the franchise reaching the Super Bowl in 2002. At 29, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2006. The Heisman Trophy winner spent seven seasons in Green Bay before making his return to play for the Raiders. Woodson played three more years for Oakland before retiring in 2016.
James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
First stint: 2002, 2004-2012
Second stint: 2014-2017
As one of the greatest undrafted NFL players in history, James Harrison solidified his place among the game`s top linebackers with the Steelers. Harrison was a key member of two Super Bowl-winning teams and earned the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008. He briefly left for the divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals in 2013 and officially retired at the Steelers facility on September 5, 2014. However, just weeks later, he signed a deal to return to the franchise. Pittsburgh released him in December 2017, after which he signed with the New England Patriots before retiring following that season.
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings
First stint: 1998-2004
Second stint: 2010
Randy Moss electrified the Vikings after being selected 21st overall in the 1998 NFL draft. As a rookie, he led the league with 17 touchdowns and averaged 19 yards per reception, helping the franchise reach its first NFC Championship Game since the 1987 season. The Vikings traded Moss to the Raiders in 2005. The Hall of Fame receiver then played for several teams before being traded back to Minnesota during the 2010 season. He appeared in four games for the Vikings before the franchise waived him.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
First stint: 2011-2019
Second stint: 2021
Cam Newton started his Panthers career strong, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Four years later, he guided the franchise to Super Bowl 50 during his MVP-winning season, remaining the only Carolina player to earn that award. His time with the Panthers concluded as the decade ended. Newton signed with the New England Patriots in July 2020 after his release in March. He re-signed with New England the following year but was released before training camp. Newton returned to Carolina in November 2021, starting five games.
WNBA
DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury
First stint: 2009-2019
Second stint: 2025-present
After being drafted fifth overall by Phoenix in the 2009 WNBA draft, DeWanna Bonner quickly proved her value, earning three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards. In 2012, she had a breakthrough season, averaging a career-high 20 points per game. Two years later, she secured her second championship with the Mercury. The Connecticut Sun acquired Bonner in 2020 via a sign-and-trade deal involving three first-round picks. She signed with the Indiana Fever in 2025, but the Fever waived her mid-season, creating an opportunity for Bonner to return to the Mercury.
Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
First stint: 2010-2013
Second stint: 2025
Tina Charles had a dominant initial run in Connecticut, earning All-Star honors every season and the league MVP award in 2012. She averaged 17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks during a period where the Sun reached the conference finals in back-to-back seasons. She then spent six seasons with the New York Liberty before playing for four other teams prior to her return to Connecticut in 2025.
NHL
Teemu Selänne, Anaheim Ducks
First stint: 1995-2001
Second stint: 2005-2014
While Teemu Selänne didn`t begin his career with the Ducks, joining them in his fourth NHL season, his first stint in Anaheim proved to be the most productive of his career. The Hall of Fame winger had four consecutive All-Star campaigns in his first four full seasons with the team, notably in 1998-99 when he became the inaugural Maurice Richard Trophy winner for the NHL`s leading goal scorer. The then-Mighty Ducks traded Selänne to the San Jose Sharks in 2001, where he played a few seasons before signing with the Colorado Avalanche. After just one season in Colorado, Selänne returned to Anaheim for the 2005-06 season. His comeback was highly successful; his second period with the club lasted nine seasons, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory in 2007.
Zdeno Chara, New York Islanders
First stint: 1997-2001
Second stint: 2021-2022
Although Zdeno Chara is most renowned for his 14-season career with the Boston Bruins, the Hall of Fame defenseman played both the first and last games of his NHL career with the New York Islanders. Drafted by the Islanders in 1996, Chara played 231 games for New York over his initial four seasons before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2001. In 2021, nearly two decades after his departure, the then 44-year-old Chara signed a one-year deal with the organization that originally drafted him. Chara retired at the end of the 2021-22 season, signing a one-day contract with Boston to officially retire as a Bruin.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
First stint: 2001-2006
Second stint: 2013-2019
Roberto Luongo, a distinguished goalkeeper who played 19 NHL seasons, spent just over half of his league career in Florida across two tenures with the Panthers. His first period with the club began after he was traded to Florida by the New York Islanders following his rookie season. He evolved from a promising rookie to a consistent stalwart during his time with the Panthers before eventually being traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Seven and a half seasons later, Luongo made a full-circle return to Florida, being traded back to the Panthers from the Canucks. He played several more seasons, surpassing 1,000 career games, before officially retiring as a Panther in 2019. In 2020, Luongo became the first player in the club`s history to have his number retired.