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Shohei Ohtani made his return to Angel Stadium to face the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star spent six seasons with the Angels, profitable two MVP awards and two Silver Sluggers. He signed with the Dodgers final offseason.
Ohtani obtained a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat of the sport. The Angels additionally posted a tribute video on X. His return got here precisely one yr because the remaining recreation he performed for the Angels.
Shohei Ohtani returns to Angel Stadium precisely one yr after his remaining recreation performed with the Angels 👏 pic.twitter.com/avzOtQki92
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2024
Ohtani tripled in his second look on the plate for an RBI.
Here is a glance again at different notable comfortable returns for stars throughout a number of sports activities.
NBA
Michael Jordan, 2002
Sport stats: 16 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Sport outcome: Washington Wizards win 77-69
Three seasons after his second retirement from the Chicago Bulls, Jordan made his return to the NBA in 2001, signing with the Wizards. His first recreation again to Chicago included an emotional tribute.
Jordan struggled from the sector on 7-of-21 taking pictures and had 9 turnovers within the Wizards’ 77-69 win. He acknowledged the challenges of enjoying in entrance of his former residence crowd.
In his phrases: “I had a tricky time enjoying in opposition to Chicago. It is like enjoying a relative, in a way. It isn’t as intense, you are not fairly as motivated.”
LeBron James, 2018
Sport stats: 32 factors, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block
Sport outcome: Los Angeles Lakers win 109-105
Eight years after a raucous return to Cleveland whereas enjoying for the Miami Heat, James had a very totally different expertise when he confronted the Cleveland Cavaliers for the primary time as a member of the Lakers.
The gang roared when his title was referred to as final throughout participant introductions, and a tribute video left James emotional. He thanked all sides of the sector.
In his phrases: “I recognize these followers, simply as a lot as they recognize me … In order that was simply my salute to them for them appreciating what I used to be capable of accomplish with my teammates and coaches alongside these 4 years.”
Russell Westbrook, 2020
Sport stats: 34 factors, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
Sport outcome: Houston Rockets lose 113-94
Westbrook seemed proper at residence in his first recreation again at Oklahoma Metropolis. He had a game-high 34 factors in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder crowd welcomed Westbrook with a tribute video and chanted “MVP” after he was introduced. He acknowledged how totally different it was to be on the opposing facet however thanked the followers for his or her reception.
In his phrases: “Some issues you’ll be able to’t put into phrases. I have been right here for therefore lengthy and so many nice reminiscences, nice individuals. The best possible followers on this planet as a result of they arrive with it, and tonight they got here with it.”
Damian Lillard, 2024
Sport stats: 25 factors, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
Sport outcome: Milwaukee Bucks lose 119-116
After spending the primary 11 years of his profession with the Path Blazers, Lillard performed his first recreation again in Portland as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in January 2024.
In his first recreation on the Moda Heart as a visiting participant, followers gave him a standing ovation when his title was introduced within the beginning lineups. The house group additionally performed a video tribute after the primary timeout, main to a different ovation for Lillard.
In his phrases: “These kind of video games the place there’s a whole lot of that means and a whole lot of emotion — these are all the time enjoyable. These video games have just a little bit extra juice in them. That is what tonight was. It was an entertaining recreation.”
NFL
Tom Brady, 2021
Sport stats: 22-of-43 passing, 269 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Sport outcome: Tampa Bay Buccaneers win 19-17
Taking part in in opposition to the New England Patriots for the primary time, Brady was welcomed again with cheers earlier than followers booed him through the recreation. He led the Buccaneers to a decent 19-17 victory, driving the Buccaneers downfield for a 48-yard discipline aim with 1:57 left to take the lead.
Brady mirrored on the emotional night time postgame.
In his phrases: “It isn’t that I’d predict what would occur. There have been a couple of emotional moments serious about the those who meant a lot in my life. My soccer journey took me someplace else.”
Peyton Manning, 2013
Sport stats: 29-of-49 passing, 386 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
Sport outcome: Denver Broncos lose 39-33
Some of the anticipated returns in NFL historical past, Manning confronted the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 7 of the 2013 season.
The Colts performed a 90-second tribute video for Manning, who responded by taking off his helmet and waving to the group in an emotional second. Andrew Luck led the Colts to a 39-33 win, giving the Broncos their first lack of the season — and spoiling Manning’s return.
In his phrases: “Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to play these guys once more as a result of that may imply we made the playoffs. I feel if there’s a subsequent time it might be just a little bit simpler simply because it was considerably of an emotional week and it may be just a little bit draining.”
Emmitt Smith, 2003
Sport stats: 6 carries, -1 yards
Sport outcome: Arizona Cardinals lose 24-7
The previous Dallas Cowboys star returned to Dallas in an uneventful means as a member of the Cardinals. He had six carries for minus-1 yards and left the sport with an harm within the second quarter. On the time, it was the one recreation of his profession that he completed with damaging speeding yards.
Followers cheered for Smith the second he stepped on the sector.
In his phrases: “First time I went into Texas Stadium in a bus. On a visiting bus. Obtained off the bus, walked into the guests locker room, noticed my Cardinals uniform. And I seemed round. I felt misplaced … I mentioned this out loud: ‘I am not purported to be right here. This isn’t my room.’ I broke down in tears and cried for 45 minutes earlier than we performed that recreation.”
MLB
Mookie Betts, 2023
Sport stats: 1-for-4, 2 runs, 1 stroll
Sport outcome: Los Angeles Dodgers win 7-4
In his first recreation again to face the Boston Red Sox since being traded to the Dodgers, Betts obtained a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat.
He provided his appreciation after the sport.
In his phrases: “I do not actually keep in mind what I used to be feeling. I do know I used to be type of shaking just a little bit. However I am simply grateful. Grateful I obtained the ovation. … Grateful we received.”
Nomar Garciaparra, 2009
Sport stats: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
Sport outcome: Oakland Athletics win 6-0
An emotional return to Fenway Park got here 5 years after the Crimson Sox traded Garciaparra in 2004, the identical yr they went on to win the World Collection.
Garciaparra, who spent 8½ seasons in Boston, was welcomed with a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat. He tipped his helmet and tapped his chest in response.
In his phrases: “You do not know how issues are going to play out. There isn’t any script for that one. I feel what you noticed on the market was simply pure emotion, from the followers, from myself.”
Freddie Freeman, 2022
Sport stats: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 walks
Sport outcome: Dodgers win 4-1
There could not have been a extra emotional return than when Freeman confronted the Braves for the primary time on the street. He spent 12 years with the Atlanta Braves, profitable an MVP in 2020 then a World Collection in his remaining season with the group.
Freeman walked within the first and fifth inning, scoring each instances whereas on base. He obtained two standing ovations — one earlier than the sport and his first at-bat — plus his 2021 World Collection ring. He additionally teared up throughout a pregame information convention however had optimistic ideas after the sport.
In his phrases: “I am exhausted, emotionally exhausted, however what an exquisite night for my household.”
NHL
Patrick Kane, 2023
Sport stats: 2 factors (1 aim and help)
Sport outcome: Detroit Red Wings win 3-2
Kane had a memorable return to the United Heart in his first recreation in Chicago since becoming a member of the Crimson Wings.
Kane, who completed with a aim and help for 2 factors, received three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s second in franchise historical past in factors (1,225) and assists (779) and third in video games performed (1,161) and targets (446).
The Crimson Wings star scored the profitable additional time aim for a 3-2 win, beating the franchise the place he spent his first 16 seasons within the NHL.
The appropriate winger obtained a standing ovation through the jersey retirement of Chris Chelios in addition to a video tribute within the first interval.
And the United Heart roars: pic.twitter.com/yBgytyf8ln
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 25, 2024
Three laps for Showtime ❤️ pic.twitter.com/557IwB3rrc
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 25, 2024
In his phrases: “Simply a whole lot of feelings proper now, scoring that aim, being again right here, being on a distinct group. Simply tried to indicate the followers there on the finish they’re going to all the time have my coronary heart right here.”
Matthew Tkachuk, 2022
Sport stats: 0 factors, 2 penalty minutes, 21:50 ice time
Sport outcome: Florida Panthers lose 6-2
After enjoying six seasons with the Calgary Flames, Matthew Tkachuk determined that he would not be signing a contract extension with them through the summer season of 2022, and was traded to the Panthers.
A fan favourite throughout his time with the Flames (and for the way in which he let the membership get one thing in return for him through commerce), Tkachuk was the topic of a tribute video and standing ovation when he made his first journey again to the Saddledome sporting a distinct sweater, although he did endure some boos too.
In his phrases: “Simply passionate followers right here. It is clearly good to see that video. A pair seconds of displaying what my time was like right here on and off the ice, it was good to see.”
Marc-Andre Fleury, 2018
Sport stats: 33 saves on 38 photographs
Sport outcome: Vegas Golden Knights lose 5-4
The growth draft for the Golden Knights allowed them to construct the muse for a group that made the Stanley Cup Ultimate in its first season (and would win the Cup in 2023). One of many key parts — and actually, the early face of the franchise — was goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
However earlier than he was a Golden Knight, the longer term Hockey Corridor of Famer had already authored a legendary profession in 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His first recreation again in Pittsburgh introduced on the feelings, but it surely was the house group who received that night time.
In his phrases: “I did not know what to anticipate. Within the warmup, I had goose bumps. It is a night time I will not neglect.”
Jarome Iginla, 2013
Sport stats: 0 factors, 4 photographs on aim, 21:36 ice time
Sport outcome: Boston Bruins win 2-1
Maybe no participant is extra synonymous with Calgary Flames hockey because the twentieth century flipped to the twenty first than Jarome Iginla. The Hockey Corridor of Famer performed 16 seasons for the franchise, previous to skating for the Penguins, Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings to shut out his profession.
On Dec. 10, 2013, Iggy returned as a member of the Bruins and was honored with an in depth pregame celebration.
The visiting Bruins received, and Iginla was named the third star, leading to one other standing ovation from the Calgary trustworthy.
In his personal phrases: “It was positively emotional. It was a cool feeling. It felt particular, the ovation there at first, and then you definitely type of really feel humorous standing on the market.”
WNBA
Candace Parker, 2022
Sport stats:10 factors, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Sport outcome: Chicago Sky win 82-59
After spending her whole 13-year WNBA profession with the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker went residence, signing with the Sky.
She made historical past in her first recreation in opposition to the Sparks in Los Angeles, recording a WNBA document third profession triple-double. She obtained a loud cheer through the introductions.
In her phrases: “That is residence. That is the place my household lives. That is the place I really like coming again to. It is positively bittersweet to be again as a result of it is part of our previous.”
Breanna Stewart, 2023
Sport stats: 25 factors, 11 rebounds, 1 help, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Sport outcome: New York Liberty win 86-78
Stewart received two WNBA titles in six seasons with the Seattle Storm earlier than she left the franchise for the Liberty in 2023. She had a powerful return to Seattle, main New York to the win.
Followers shared their appreciation all through the sport. Stewart acknowledged that the “emotional curler coaster of a day” had an impression on her play.
In her phrases: “I used to be making an attempt to play by it, however I used to be telling [coach] Sandy [Brondello] within the first half, I used to be simply floating. I do not suppose I used to be actually doing something besides identical to — unsure what I used to be doing.”
