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Kenny's comeback kids
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As Mario Lemieux returns to the ice, ESPN's Brian Kenny lists the best comebacks by retired athletes -- excluding Michael Jordan, who would be the clear No. 1.

1. George Foreman, boxer
Foreman returned to the ring after an incredible 10-year layoff in 1987. He won the legitimate heavyweight title a full seven years later at age 45.

2. Jim Bouton, pitcher
After seven full years off and 13 years removed from his last effective major-league season, Bouton attempted a comeback at the age of 39. With his arm shot, Bouton worked his way through the minors with a knuckleball. He started five games for the Braves, and opponents had a batting average of just .234 against him.

3. Benny Leonard, boxer
The stock-market crash forced him back into the ring after a five-year layoff. Leonard was unbeaten as the lightweight champion from 1917-1925. He went 18-1-1 over his one-year comeback to make some much-needed cash.

4. Smokey Joe Wood, pitcher/outfielder
The original Pedro back in the teens, Wood went 34-5 with a 1.91 ERA for the Red Sox in 1912. Injuries forced him off the mound, but he came back as an outfielder in 1918. He played five productive seasons with the Indians, hitting .366 in 1921.

5. Sugar Ray Leonard, boxer
After a three-year layoff and just one fight in five years, he returned to face Marvin Hagler. It was a controversial win, but Leonard did move up in weight to meet one of the greatest middleweights in history. His later comebacks against Terry Norris and Macho Camacho were not as impressive.



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