By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

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It is never easy for legendary athletes who identify with one team and one city to leave town. Some simply have called it quits; others have gone on to play their final years for the enemy.

Here are 10 players who never should have traded in their original jerseys, and 10 more who said goodbye to their sport wearing the home colors.

WRONG MOVES

Joe Namath: Twelve Hall of Fame years with the Jets weren't enough for Broadway Joe, who spent his final season off Broadway in Los Angeles with the Rams.

Jerry Rice: Even though Rice has been productive with the Raiders, it would have been nice to see him retire as a 49er.

Karl Malone: Malone used to be beloved in Salt Lake City. Now he's hated, all because he wanted to chase a ring with the Lakers. Hope it's worth it.

Willie Mays: After 21 seasons with the Giants, Mays went out with the Mets in unspectacular fashion.

Michael Jordan: Few sports images were more painful than seeing No. 23 in those funky Wizards uniforms.

O.J. Simpson: The "Juice" made his name in Buffalo but finished his career in San Francisco.

Tom Glavine: He spent 16 great years in Atlanta, but his last three will come in New York.

Joe Montana: So many great memories with the 49ers, except his final two seasons, which he played in Kansas City.

Pete Rose: It would have been nice to see him in a Reds uniform his entire career.

Johnny Unitas: "Johnny U" left behind 17 seasons with the Colts for one more in San Diego.

RIGHT MOVES

Tony Gwynn: A pure hitter and a pure Padre will go down as a folk hero in San Diego.

John Stockton: Unlike Malone, Stockton didn't feel the need to go ring-chasing.

Cal Ripken: An icon for longevity and loyalty.

Johnny Bench: How would "Johnny Bench Night" be remembered if Bench played for the Pirates the following year?

Walter Payton: "Sweetness" is even sweeter because he never left the Windy City.

Ozzie Smith: He began his career in San Diego, but the Wizard flourished in St. Louis for 15 glorious years.

Mike Schmidt: Eighteen years in the majors, and Philly fans can claim him as their own.

John Elway: The winningest quarterback in NFL history took every snap for the Denver Broncos and went out on top.

Robin Yount: Anyone who can spend 20 years in Milwaukee deserves a mention.

Alan Trammell: He defined the Tigers during his 20-year career. Unfortunately, now he has to manage them.