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The longest comebacks
Paul Schreiber pitched for the Yankees 22 years after his last game. Minnie Miñoso played in five decades. Doug Flutie spent eight years in Canada. The longest gaps between two seasons in five sports, and the 1946 season that brought 200 players home from the war.
By Austin · October 17, 2026
Most careers end once. Some don’t take. We looked at every player’s seasons in five sports for the longest gap between two seasons he actually played: the comebacks, the stunts, the wars and the leagues in between. Here a comeback is a return after missing at least two full seasons.
| Sport | Came back after 2+ seasons | Longest gap | Busiest year for returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 2,913 | Paul Schreiber, 21 seasons | 1946 (203) |
| Basketball | 299 | Freddie Lewis, 9 seasons | 2017-18 (17) |
| Football | 383 | Doug Flutie, 8 seasons | 1987 (107) |
| Hockey | 624 | Gordie Howe, 8 seasons | 2006-07 (43) |
| Soccer | 2,939 | Simone Aresti, 16 seasons | 2015-16 (138) |
Baseball
Baseball's longest gaps are mostly one-day stunts and wartime emergencies. Paul Schreiber, a Yankees batting-practice pitcher, got into two games in 1945, 22 years after his last. Charley O'Leary, a Browns coach, pinch-hit in 1934 at 58, and Gabby Street, managing the Cardinals, caught a game in 1931 at 48. Minnie Miñoso came back at 50 and again at 54 to play in five decades, and Satchel Paige pitched three innings at 59. The real outlier is Sean Kazmar Jr., who spent twelve seasons in the minor leagues between his first major-league games, in 2008, and his next, with the Braves in 2021.
The longest gaps
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Paul SchreiberBrooklyn Robins → New York Yankees | 1923 → 1945 | 21 |
| Charley O'LearySt. Louis Cardinals → St. Louis Browns | 1913 → 1934 | 20 |
| Gabby StreetNew York Highlanders → St. Louis Cardinals | 1912 → 1931 | 18 |
| Clay TouchstoneBoston Braves → Chicago White Sox | 1929 → 1945 | 15 |
| Joe CiceroBoston Red Sox → Philadelphia Athletics | 1930 → 1945 | 14 |
| Fred JohnsonNew York Giants → St. Louis Browns | 1923 → 1938 | 14 |
| Ralph WinegarnerCleveland Indians → St. Louis Browns | 1936 → 1949 | 12 |
| Jack McFetridgePhiladelphia Phillies | 1890 → 1903 | 12 |
| Sean KazmarSan Diego Padres → Atlanta Braves | 2008 → 2021 | 12 |
| Ken PennerCleveland Indians → Chicago Cubs | 1916 → 1929 | 12 |
Stars who came back
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Ted WilliamsBoston Red Sox | 1942 → 1946 | 3 |
| Joe DiMaggioNew York Yankees | 1942 → 1946 | 3 |
| Enos SlaughterSt. Louis Cardinals | 1942 → 1946 | 3 |
| Del CrandallBoston Braves → Milwaukee Braves | 1950 → 1953 | 2 |
| Pee Wee ReeseBrooklyn Dodgers | 1942 → 1946 | 3 |
| Billy HermanBrooklyn Dodgers | 1943 → 1946 | 2 |
| Warren SpahnBoston Braves | 1942 → 1946 | 3 |
| Bill DickeyNew York Yankees | 1943 → 1946 | 2 |
Basketball
Basketball's long gaps are mostly players who left for another league and came back: the ABA in the late 1960s and 1970s, Europe since. Bob Cousy came out of retirement at 41 for seven games as Cincinnati's player-coach. Magic Johnson returned in 1996, four years after announcing he had HIV, and Michael Jordan came back a second time in 2001, for two seasons with the Wizards.
The longest gaps
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie LewisCincinnati Royals → Indiana Pacers | 1966-67 → 1976-77 | 9 |
| Larry JonesPhiladelphia 76ers | 1964-65 → 1973-74 | 8 |
| Gary PlummerGolden State Warriors → Denver Nuggets | 1984-85 → 1992-93 | 7 |
| Bob CousyBoston Celtics → Cincinnati Royals | 1962-63 → 1969-70 | 6 |
| Anthony ParkerOrlando Magic → Toronto Raptors | 1999-00 → 2006-07 | 6 |
| Sergio RodriguezNew York Knicks → Philadelphia 76ers | 2009-10 → 2016-17 | 6 |
| Victor AlexanderGolden State Warriors → Detroit Pistons | 1994-95 → 2001-02 | 6 |
| Bobby BrownNew Orleans Pelicans → Houston Rockets | 2009-10 → 2016-17 | 6 |
| Will SolomonMemphis Grizzlies → Sacramento Kings | 2001-02 → 2008-09 | 6 |
| Jeremy PargoCleveland Cavaliers → Golden State Warriors | 2012-13 → 2019-20 | 6 |
Stars who came back
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Klay ThompsonGolden State Warriors | 2018-19 → 2021-22 | 2 |
| Bob CousyBoston Celtics → Cincinnati Royals | 1962-63 → 1969-70 | 6 |
| Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers | 1990-91 → 1995-96 | 4 |
| Michael JordanChicago Bulls → Washington Wizards | 1997-98 → 2001-02 | 3 |
| Joe JohnsonHouston Rockets → Boston Celtics | 2017-18 → 2021-22 | 3 |
| Paul ArizinPhiladelphia Warriors | 1951-52 → 1954-55 | 2 |
| Rick BarrySan Francisco Warriors → Golden State Warriors | 1966-67 → 1972-73 | 5 |
| Dave CowensBoston Celtics → Milwaukee Bucks | 1979-80 → 1982-83 | 2 |
Football
Football's comebacks have one big year. When the players struck in 1987, teams filled their rosters with replacement players, and dozens of them were veterans who'd been out of the league for years. Doug Flutie went the other way: he spent eight seasons in the Canadian Football League and came back to the NFL with the Bills in 1998, at 35. Deion Sanders came out of retirement in 2004, and Philip Rivers, retired for four seasons, played again for the Colts in 2025.
The longest gaps
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Doug FlutieNew England Patriots → Buffalo Bills | 1989 → 1998 | 8 |
| David Diaz-InfanteSan Diego Chargers → Denver Broncos | 1987 → 1996 | 8 |
| Tony AdamsKansas City Chiefs → Minnesota Vikings | 1978 → 1987 | 8 |
| Chris GreisenArizona Cardinals → Dallas Cowboys | 2001 → 2010 | 8 |
| Jim RameySt. Louis Cardinals → Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1979 → 1987 | 7 |
| Joel PattenCleveland Browns → Indianapolis Colts | 1980 → 1987 | 6 |
| Kerwin BellTampa Bay Buccaneers → Indianapolis Colts | 1989 → 1996 | 6 |
| Dan ManucciBuffalo Bills | 1980 → 1987 | 6 |
| Rick PartridgeSan Diego Chargers → Buffalo Bills | 1980 → 1987 | 6 |
| Mike UlmerChicago Bears → Philadelphia Eagles | 1980 → 1987 | 6 |
Stars who came back
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Philip RiversIndianapolis Colts | 2020 → 2025 | 4 |
| Aaron DonaldLos Angeles Rams | 2023 → 2026 | 2 |
| Maxie BaughanLos Angeles Rams → Washington Redskins | 1970 → 1974 | 3 |
| Harold JacksonSeattle Seahawks → New England Patriots | 1983 → 1987 | 3 |
| Deion SandersWashington Redskins → Baltimore Ravens | 2000 → 2004 | 3 |
| William AndrewsAtlanta Falcons | 1983 → 1986 | 2 |
| Doug FlutieNew England Patriots → Buffalo Bills | 1989 → 1998 | 8 |
| Mark RypienSt. Louis Rams → Indianapolis Colts | 1997 → 2001 | 3 |
Hockey
Hockey's longest gaps come from the WHA, the rival league of the 1970s. When it folded in 1979, four of its teams joined the NHL, bringing back players who had left years before, Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull among them. Since then the long gaps belong to Europeans who went home and returned, like Kent Nilsson and Jaromír Jágr, and to the retired stars who couldn't stay away: Guy Lafleur, out three seasons and already in the Hall of Fame, and Mario Lemieux.
The longest gaps
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Gordie HoweDetroit Red Wings → Hartford Whalers | 1970-71 → 1979-80 | 8 |
| Francois LacombeBuffalo Sabres → Quebec Nordiques | 1970-71 → 1979-80 | 8 |
| David MichaylukPhiladelphia Flyers → Pittsburgh Penguins | 1982-83 → 1991-92 | 8 |
| Steve BancroftChicago Blackhawks → San Jose Sharks | 1992-93 → 2001-02 | 8 |
| Jonas AnderssonNashville Predators → Vancouver Canucks | 2001-02 → 2010-11 | 8 |
| Kent NilssonEdmonton Oilers | 1986-87 → 1994-95 | 7 |
| Bobby HullChicago Blackhawks → Hartford Whalers | 1971-72 → 1979-80 | 7 |
| Paul ShmyrCalifornia Golden Seals → Minnesota North Stars | 1971-72 → 1979-80 | 7 |
| Al HamiltonBuffalo Sabres → Edmonton Oilers | 1971-72 → 1979-80 | 7 |
| Poul PopielVancouver Canucks → Edmonton Oilers | 1971-72 → 1979-80 | 7 |
Stars who came back
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Jaromir JagrNew York Rangers → Philadelphia Flyers | 2007-08 → 2011-12 | 3 |
| Claude LemieuxDallas Stars → San Jose Sharks | 2002-03 → 2008-09 | 5 |
| Guy LafleurMontréal Canadiens → New York Rangers | 1984-85 → 1988-89 | 3 |
| Owen NolanToronto Maple Leafs → Phoenix Coyotes | 2003-04 → 2006-07 | 2 |
| Peter ForsbergColorado Avalanche | 2007-08 → 2010-11 | 2 |
| Olie KolzigWashington Capitals | 1989-90 → 1992-93 | 2 |
| Mario LemieuxPittsburgh Penguins | 1996-97 → 2000-01 | 3 |
| Randy CunneyworthBuffalo Sabres → Pittsburgh Penguins | 1981-82 → 1985-86 | 3 |
Soccer
In soccer, we can only see the seasons a player spent in Europe's top five leagues, so a gap here is time spent somewhere else: a lower division, another country, or both. The longest belong to players who dropped down and came back years later, often with the same club after a promotion, like Simone Aresti with Cagliari and Xisco Campos with Mallorca.
The longest gaps
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Simone ArestiCagliari Calcio | 2006-07 → 2023-24 | 16 |
| Cédric AvinelWatford FC → AC Ajaccio | 2006-07 → 2022-23 | 15 |
| Sergio MoraRayo Vallecano → Getafe CF | 2002-03 → 2017-18 | 14 |
| Xisco CamposRCD Mallorca | 2004-05 → 2019-20 | 14 |
| Mohamed YoussoufLe Havre AC → AC Ajaccio | 2008-09 → 2022-23 | 13 |
| Michael LangerVfB Stuttgart → FC Schalke 04 | 2006-07 → 2020-21 | 13 |
| Juanjo CamachoReal Zaragoza → SD Huesca | 2004-05 → 2018-19 | 13 |
| Alessandro FraraBologna FC 1909 → Frosinone Calcio | 2002-03 → 2015-16 | 12 |
| Denis ThomallaTSG 1899 Hoffenheim → 1. Fußballclub Heidenheim 1846 | 2010-11 → 2023-24 | 12 |
| Olivier AuriacFC Girondins Bordeaux → Angers SCO | 2002-03 → 2015-16 | 12 |
Stars who came back
| Player | Gap | Missed |
|---|---|---|
| Edin DzekoInter Milan → ACF Fiorentina | 2022-23 → 2025-26 | 2 |
| Andrés GuardadoValencia CF → Real Betis Balompié | 2013-14 → 2017-18 | 3 |
| Marko ArnautovicWest Ham United → Bologna FC 1909 | 2018-19 → 2021-22 | 2 |
| Salomón RondónMálaga CF → West Bromwich Albion | 2011-12 → 2015-16 | 3 |
| Guillermo OchoaGranada CF → US Salernitana 1919 | 2016-17 → 2022-23 | 5 |
| James RodríguezEverton FC → Rayo Vallecano | 2020-21 → 2024-25 | 3 |
| André AyewSwansea City → Nottingham Forest | 2017-18 → 2022-23 | 4 |
| Daley BlindManchester United → Bayern Munich | 2017-18 → 2022-23 | 4 |
The war years
No season in any sport saw more players come back than baseball’s 1946. 203 players returned after missing two or more seasons, nearly all of them from military service in the Second World War. Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Pee Wee Reese, Warren Spahn and Johnny Mize each missed three full seasons. The First World War left a smaller mark in 1918, and the Federal League, a rival major league, brought back dozens of old players in 1914.
Use it in Teammate Chain
A long gap makes a player a bridge between two different rosters a decade apart. Minnie Miñoso’s 1976 and 1980 cameos put him on the same White Sox team as Harold Baines, who was born ten years after Miñoso’s debut. In Teammate Chain those are the links nobody expects. For more on the players who connect eras, see from the first season to today.
How we counted
A season counts if the player appeared in at least one regular-season game in it. A gap is the number of full seasons missed between two seasons played, so a player who played in 1942 and next in 1946 missed three. Each player is listed once, at his longest gap. In soccer, a gap counts only when the player’s own career record shows him playing in our five leagues on both sides of it, since a squad list alone can name a player who never got on the field. In football, a season on a roster at all, even as a camp cut, isn’t a season missed, and a football season counts if the player was on a team that year, not just in training camp or on the practice squad. Missing a season to injury, a suspension, the minor leagues or another league all look the same in the numbers; the stories above say which is which.
About the data
Rosters come from the data behind Teammate Chain: every major-league baseball season since 1871, the NBA since 1946-47 (not the ABA), the NFL since 1970, the NHL since 1967-68 (not the WHA) and Europe’s top five soccer leagues since 1963-64. Spot a mistake? Let us know.