I hate Pittsburgh sports. It's in my blood. Growing up as a sports fan in Philadelphia, I learned to hate the Dallas Cowboys, and to despise all Pittsburgh sports teams and players.

I will hold out on giving credit to any Steel City athlete until it's inevitable, but in this case, I can't wait any longer.

In what was supposed to be nothing more then your run-of-the-mill regular season matchup between the Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs in late December, turned instead into the answered prayers of millions of Penguins fans.

In classic storybook fashion, it took no more than 33 seconds to witness the magic that forced everyone watching the game to ask themselves, how good is Mario Lemieux? How can somebody miss more than three years of action and still step seamlessly back into his role as the most exciting and most dominating player in his sport?

A healthy and rested Lemieux may be even better than the one we saw retire following the 1997 campaign, and let's not forget that version led the league in scoring with 50 goals and 122 total points.

Is it any surprise that the French-Canadian man whose name means Le Magnifique is tearing up the NHL? Not in my opinion.

In only 11 games, Lemieux has already scored 22 points, including 10 goals. That is two points every game, almost one goal for every time he laces up the skates. He scores on almost 25 percent of his shots.

These numbers would be considered astronomical for any other player, but they are merely a continuation of what Mario did his entire career.

His outstanding play and ability to draw fans have already secured him a spot in the NHL All-Star game on Feb. 4 in Colorado.

The problem with Mario Lemieux's comeback is that is more than likely to influence other retired athletes to give it another try. However, more often than not, their efforts will not only fail, but cause embarrassment to themselves and their teams.

But every once in awhile, incredible things will happen. Let us look into the crystal ball.

What if Michael Jordan decided to play again? I can see it now. Jordan, of course, would only comeback with the Chicago Bulls, despite the fact that he is president of the Washington Wizards.

He would probably conclude that if Lemieux can own a team and play for it too, then he, being the one-and-only Michael Jordan, could run a team, and play for another.

In an effort to boost home attendance for the lowly Wizards, Jordan decides to make his comeback with the Bulls at Washington, where he shoots 13 of 64, but ends up with his usual 35 points.

The Bulls would then trade for former teammates Scottie Pippin, Horace Grant and Toni Kukoc to keep Jordan happy. Despite the trades, Jordan's return, and his average of 32.6 points per game the rest of the season, a playoff birth for the Bulls comes down to a season-ending matchup with the Wizards.

Jordan scores a career high of 94 points in a triple overtime game, clinching an eighth-seed for his team.

After losing in the first round to the eventual NBA champion Philadelphia 76ers, Jordan decides to concentrate his attention on golf, hoping to beat Tiger Woods and win back the role as top endorser for Nike.

Hmm. . .. this is fun. What about an athlete known for his comebacks and no longer in his prime?

Yes, how about the legendary Gordie Howe. After being the oldest player ever to play in the NHL, and becoming the only hockey player ever to play in six different decades with his one International Hockey League shift in '97, he decides he still has some gas left in the tank.

It's the year 2018, and the 84-year-old Howe is going for his eighth decade of hockey.

Barely able to skate, and partially blind due to cataracts, Howe accidentally runs into now IHL star and continued Philadelphia Flyer holdout Eric Lindros.

Lindros, making a comeback of his own, is still seeking a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs despite the fact that Canada no longer contains any NHL franchises.

The hit on Lindros by Howe knocks him out cold, giving him his twenty-second and career-ending concussion.

Howe breaks his hip but returns to the bench in the third period because he's a hockey player, and hockey players are tough.

Howe then retires for good, saying afterwards, "I don't want to play if I don't feel I'm at the top of my game anymore."

Who's next?

Well, how about a coach? A year after losing in the 2003 Super Bowl, and only two years into is contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, weary-eyed Dick Vermeil leaves coaching forever, saying he wants to be closer to his family.

A year later, he resurfaces with the San Diego Chargers.

Holding back tears, he says, "I want to make them a family."

The Chargers are forced to give the Chiefs six first-round draft picks and $25 million in compensation. Vermeil begins his tenure by hiring a coaching staff that averages 72 years in age.

The Chargers then trade for Marshall Faulk and sign an unknown QB, Wally Richardson, from the XFL.

Richardson throws for 5,000 yards and 42 touchdowns and leads San Diego to a Super Bowl victory. A weeping Vermeil retires a day later, saying he is done with coaching and has accomplished everything he needs to.

This list could just go on and on. While these comebacks may be slightly outrageous, and a bit far-fetched, they can happen.

In Mario's case, he has returned and excelled. Everyone is happy and jolly in Pittsburgh land. They all think his play will be enough to power the Pens to a Stanley Cup championship.

But, of course, as an anti-Pittsburgh fan, I'd never go that far.