Kenny Lofton
| Birthdate | 5/31/1967 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1991 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Astros, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, White Sox, Yankees |
| Position | Center Field |
Six-time All Star and four-time Gold Glover Kenny Lofton has a higher WAR (68.3) than 97 position players already inducted into Cooperstown.
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Kenny Lofton was a guard for Arizona's 1988 Final Four team before becoming a big league baseball player
Kenny Lofton was a guard for Arizona's 1988 Final Four team before becoming a big league baseball player
Before Kenny Lofton was a professional baseball player, he was a collegiate basketball player for Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at the University of Arizona. A guard for the Wildcats’ 1988 Final Four squad, Lofton joined the school’s baseball team in his junior year.
Showing promise on the diamond because of his athleticism, Lofton was drafted in the 17th round by the Astros. He played minor-league baseball during the summer then completed his final year of basketball with the Wildcats, earning his degree in Studio Production.
Lofton made his big league debut in 1991 with 20 games for Houston. In the off season the Astros shipped him to Cleveland.
It was with the Indians that Lofton blossomed, leading the league in stolen bases in his first five full seasons. In his 10 years with the Tribe, Lofton made six All Star teams and earned four Gold Gloves. With Lofton in the lineup, Cleveland won 6 divisional titles.
Over the course of his 17-year Major League career, Lofton appeared in the playoffs 11 times. He holds the MLB record for stolen bases in the post season. In 2010 he was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame.
Though he finished with a 68.3 career WAR – higher than 97 Hall of Fame position players – the writers relegated him to one-and-done on the ballot, affording him a mere 3.2% of the vote in 2013. His lifetime WAR of 68.4 ranks ahead of fellow center fielders Duke Snider (66), Andre Dawson (64.8), Richie Ashburn (64.4), Billy Hamilton (63.3), Max Carey (54.5), Earl Averill (51.1), and Kirby Puckett (51.1).
Many see Lofton as a strong Veterans Committee candidate. As the baseball community continues to more accurately measure the success of a player’s career, Kenny Lofton may someday gain a plaque in Cooperstown.
In the collection is this contract with Topps Chewing Gum signed by Lofton on February 25, 2005.
Kenny Lofton and David Wells share the record of appearing in the postseason with 6 different teams
Kenny Lofton and David Wells share the record of appearing in the postseason with 6 different teams
During his 17-year big league career Kenny Lofton helped his teams reach the postseason 11 times. By the time he was done, Lofton played in 20 postseason series for an MLB-record six different teams. He shares the marke with southpaw pitcher David Wells.
Lofton played October baseball with the Indians, Braves, Giants, Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers. He represented both the National and American Leagues in the Division, League Championship, and World Series. In 95 playoff games he had 97 hits, 38 walks, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 34 RBI, and 34 stolen bases.
Twirling for the Blue Jays, Reds, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres, Wells went 10-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 27 postseason appearances. He pitched in the Division and League Championship Series for both the NL and the AL. All three of his World Series years came for the Junior Circuit.
His October highlights include titles with the 1992 Jays and the 1998 Yankees as well as the 1998 ALCS MVP Award. The 1998 postseason was Wells’ best. That year he was the Game 1 starter for the eventual champs in the ALDS, ALCS, and the World Series.
Wells is perhaps best remembered for pitching the 15th perfect game in baseball history against the Twins on May 17, 1998. Shown here is the ticket to Wells’ masterpiece. The pitcher’s PSA-certified autograph adorns it.
He should be in the hall even the catch I was great the hand s backwards
He was on Sports Center a lot. Among centerfielders, only nine players rate ahead of him in WAR and JAWS. Seven are in the Hall and the other two are Mike Trout, a gimme, and Carlos Beltran who might have to wait an extra year. Then it’s Lofton. He deserves a plaque on the wall.
Embarrassing that voters eliminated him in his first year of eligibility. Other than maybe Junior, who else from that era would you rather be patrolling CF for your team?