Wood returns but homecomings not always sweet

Denis Savard did it.

So did Scottie Pippen, Harold Baines (twice), Greg Maddux and Richard Dent, to name a few.

Now Kerry Wood joins a select group of big-name athletes who made their name in Chicago, left, and returned years later to play for their former team.

Savard, who starred for the Blackhawks in the 1980s before being traded to Montreal, returned to Chicago in the mid-90s to finish up his career, and was so glad he got the opportunity.

“The first night I put the uniform back on ... it just felt right,” Savard said. “For me, it rejuvenated my career. I played only three years after that. I was kind of on the way out and it perked me up for a few years.”

He expects the same to happen for Wood, who signed a one-year contract with the Cubs on Friday.

“I know it's going to feel right for him,” Savard said. “The fans, the uniform it's home for him. And he's going to enjoy it and I think he's going to have a good year.”

Perhaps, but statistically speaking that usually isn't the case the second time around.

Ÿ Pippen, who finished his Hall of Fame career averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, ended his career with the Bulls in the 2003-04 season averaging 5.9 points, 3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Ÿ Baines' final go-round with the White Sox in 2000 and '01 resulted in a total of 1 home run and 15 RBI in 56 games played.

Ÿ Maddux, who finished with 355 victories and is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, was merely a .500 pitcher in his second stint with the Cubs (2004-06).

Ÿ Dent, a perennial Hall nominee after finishing his career with 137½ sacks, left the Bears after the 1993 season and returned for the 1995 campaign, but appeared in only three games and registered 1 tackle.

Ÿ Savard, whose best year with the Hawks was 1987-88 when he registered 131 points, played parts of three seasons with the Hawks at the end of his career. His best numbers during his second tour of duty came in 1995-96 when he finished with 48 points.

Though time and wear-and-tear inevitably take their toll, Savard said players can't let that cloud their minds as they enter the autumn of their careers.

“You don't want to lower your expectations, ever,” he said. “I think Kerry has to feel the same way.

“I think this move is going to help him. Not that he didn't pitch well in Cleveland and New York, but for him, I know this is going to feel right.”

Time will tell. But until then, Savard offered up one piece of advice for Wood.

“Be Kerry Wood,” he said. “That's all.”