Glory days: Two types of reunions, both have become Chicago specialties

At some point, every Chicago team felt there was a situation that required a futile gesture on somebody's part — like bringing back a favorite player, well past his prime.

The Cubs, especially, love doing this, with Greg Maddux, Kerry Wood, Ken Holtzman and Fergie Jenkins topping the list. The White Sox brought back manager Tony LaRussa at age 76 and re-signed Harold Baines twice late in his career. The Bears once had a Richard Dent reunion.

The Blackhawks pulled off a real tear-jerker this week by signing three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane, 37. He began his reintroduction news conference by admitting it's all a little corny.

“Obviously, the story's great, coming back to Chicago and being a Blackhawk again,” Kane said Friday. “It's not like I'm just coming back home to ride off into the sunset. I want to be a big player here and help the team win.”

First of all, calling the Blackhawks a team on the rise, like Kane did, might be a stretch. They were the NHL's second-worst team last season.

Counterpoint: They've grown from 52 to 61 to 72 points over the last three years. By definition, that's a rise, even if it's a path from miserable to very bad.

Kane should be able to supply what this team needs most — experience and scoring punch. His 57 points last season were roughly half his output from the glory days in Chicago. But that would have ranked third on last year's Hawks. And a close third, since second-place Tyler Bertuzzi had 58 points. Connor Bedard needs more help and everyone knows it, especially Kane.

This move feels most similar to the Bulls bringing back six-time champion Scottie Pippen in 2003. Newly-hired general manager John Paxson thought his former teammate could guide a bunch of aimless draft picks, with help from a few notable vets like Jalen Rose and Rick Brunson.

Paxson had changes in mind, though. He fired another former teammate, Bill Cartwright, as head coach, hired Scott Skiles and traded Rose to Toronto. Meanwhile, Pippen's enthusiasm waned and he frequently rested an aching knee.

Then suddenly, Pippen got healthy again in January when the Bulls visited Portland, where he'd spent the previous four seasons. Faced with a rare double-reunion scenario, Pippen was smiling and engaged, having enjoyed his time in Oregon.

He scored 17 points, flashed his trademark stifling defense and had a sorry Bulls team in position to win the game. With the score tied, the Bulls had the final possession of the fourth quarter. What a perfect Portland ending for Pippen.

But Skiles didn't put the ball in No. 33's hands, Antonio Davis clanked a jumper just before time expired and the Blazers won in overtime. That's when Pippen checked out. Three nights later in Seattle, he played just eight minutes in his final NBA game.

No need to quibble about who quit on whom, Pippen's return was simply a harsh reminder that glory days are gone forever. The real reunions are the ones that happen 10, 20, 30 or 40 years later, something this city has gotten used to.

But that doesn't mean Kane can't help the Blackhawks next season. Just become best friends with Bedard and Frank Nazar, pass along some winning wisdom, and don't expect to see any Cups until the 2010 champs get back together for the 20-year celebration.