Sports Legends That Ended Up Leaving Your Team/City

[Dead2009]

If you follow sports religiously, then you have more than likely seen a player develop into one of the best of all time and then leave via free agency. Whether it be players like LeBron James leaving Cleveland (the first time), Peyton Manning leaving Indianapolis and now Tom Brady leaving the Patriots, what player turned legend ended up leaving your team?

In Baltimore, we really haven't had any true legends leave except Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs, but there were some in recent years such as Manny Machado and Joe Flacco who were cut or traded.

 

[keaster]

The Wayne Gretzky trade of 1988 is a national day of mourning in Canada.

 

[JimMIA]

Too many to mention in Miami!

 

[JimMIA]

Boog Powell has some pretty darn good BBQ at Camden Yard...in addition to a stellar career.

 

[bcla]

I'm not necessarily a fan of many of these teams, but I certainly remember them. They didn't necessarily leave via free agency though. Many were traded, but because the team knew they wouldn't be able to re-sign or because they were declining in performance.

Joe Montana to the Chiefs.
Jerry Rice - although it was to the Raiders.
Mark McGwire to the Cardinals. On the other hand he does seem to be tainted.
Rick Barry to the Rockets.
Patrick Marleau to the Maple Leafs. He did come back for a short stint though.
Joe Pavelski to the Stars.

 

[Frwinkley]

Bobby Bonilla from the Pirates to the Mets
Andrew McCuthen from the Pirates to the SF Giants

 

[JimMIA]

Bobby Bonilla from the Pirates to the Mets

Marlins 1997 World Series Championship team...one of the greatest Game 7's you will ever see...and I was there!

 

[low-key]

LeBron both times
Albert Belle , Many Ramirez and many other legends on the Indians that they let go come big contract time.
Football - the whole team when Beelzebub Modell moved to Balt

 

[Praying Colonel]

The Reds made the mistake of trading Tony Perez in 1976. Doggie was the heart and soul of the Big Red Machine. That ended the great BRM run.

A couple of years later Pete Rose went to the Phillies as a free agent. I learned he's one of those guys you hate, unless he's on your team. I couldn't see it when he was a Red, but could definitely see it when he was a Phillie.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I am still mad The Eagles let Brian Dawkins walk and sign with the Broncos. He wanted to stay in Philly but thought their lowball contract for his final three years was an insult

 

[starvenger]

Vince Carter leaving Toronto.

 

[MI mom of 3]

Barry Sanders retiring from Detroit

 

[Dan Murphy]

Lou Brock--Cubs to Cardinals

Dennis Eckersley--Cubs to Oakland

Greg Maddux--Cubs to Atlanta

 

[Moliphino]

I'm still mad about the Red Sox trading Nomar.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Peyton Manning going from the Colts to the Broncos.

 

[kimblebee]

The Wayne Gretzky trade of 1988 is a national day of mourning in Canada.

Same with Teemu leaving Winnipeg.

 

[pogopossum]

All good examples, here's the list from D-FW.
Rangers: Jim Sundberg, Pudge Rodriguez.
Stars: Mike Modano.
Cowboys: Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith.

 

[cabanafrau]

Barry Sanders retiring from Detroit

Just flat out retiring, in his prime. Ah, the Lions are definitely a breed apart.

 

[JaxDad]

Boog Powell has some pretty darn good BBQ at Camden Yard...in addition to a stellar career.

I met him many years ago in the Keys when I was a courier for FedEx. Nice guy.

 

[Dead2009]

Barry Sanders retiring from Detroit

It has to be someone who was released or traded, not retired.