IN 2011, Eric Thames made his major league debut for the Blue Jays. By '14 he wasn't just out of the majors, he was out of the U.S., having signed with the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization. After three years and 124 home runs in the KBO, Thames has been a mashing success in his return to MLB: The Brewers' first baseman-outfielder was hitting .306 with 13 homers at week's end. He's not the first player to wash out domestically, succeed abroad, then come back stronger.
[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]
PLAYER | FIRST SHOT | TEAM | NEXT MOVE | GRAND RETURN | TEAMS | HIGH POINT |
Cecil Fielder 1B-DH, MLB | 1985 | Blue Jays | Japan | 1990 | Tigers, Yankees, Angels, Indians | Three-time All-Star |
Doug Flutie QB, NFL | 1986 | Bears | Canada | 1998 | Bills, Chargers, Patriots | 1998 Pro Bowl |
Anthony Mason F, NBA | 1989--'90 | Nets | Turkey, Venezuela | 1991--'92 | Knicks, Hornets Heat, Bucks | 2001 All-Star |
Cameron Wake DE, NFL | 2005 | Giants | Canada | 2009 | Dolphins | Five-time Pro Bowler |
Alexander Radulov RW, NHL | 2006--'07 | Predators | Russia | 2016--'17 | Canadiens | 2nd on team in scoring |
