Text size:

Not many happy returns for Chicago athletes

February 23, 2009

Brad Miller and Tim Thomas are back for encores. Miller played in 105 games for the Bulls in 2000-02. Thomas' stay was a bit shorter — three games in 2005-06. Here's a look at other athletes who have parted ways with Chicago teams, only to return later in their careers:

•Greg Maddux

(1986-92,

2004-06):

The future Hall

of Famer won the

Cy Young Award

with the Cubs in

1992, then signed

with the Braves.

Maddux was

38-37 in his second stint (2004-06) before

being moved to the Los Angeles Dodgers at

the '06 trade deadline.

•Scottie Pippen (1987-98, 2003-04): After

winning six championships in 11 seasons with the Bulls,

he was traded to the Rockets following the 1997-98

season. He returned in 2003 but was limited to 23

games due to injuries and retired after the season.

•Marty Booker (1999-2003, 2008): He set the Bears' single-season receptions record in 2001 with 100 catches before he was traded to the Dolphins in 2004 for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. He had 14 receptions in his return in 2008 and was released Feb. 13.

•Bartolo Colon (2003, present): The burly right-hander was 15-13 in one season with the White Sox

in 2003, then signed with the Angels in December. Colon is back after signing a one-year deal with the Sox on Jan. 15.

•Steve Trachsel (1993-99, 2007): His ERA went from 3.03 in 1996 to 5.56 in 1999, so the Cubs released the former All-Star after the '99 season. He was reacquired from Baltimore in August 2007 and declined his option after the season.

•Diego Gutierrez (1998-2001, 2006-08): His goal in the 1998 MLS Cup final helped the Fire win its only title. He was traded to Kansas City in 2002 and traded back in '06 before retiring last year.

—Luis Arroyave