Former Indians teammates and coaches say Kenny Lofton's place is in Cooperstown.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mike Hargrove managed both Kenny Lofton in Cleveland and Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle during the primes of their careers. If there is anybody who can speak with authority on a comparison between the two players, it’s Hargrove.as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But the way Lofton fell off the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot in the blink of an eye more than a decade ago still puzzles him.
“I’m glad Ichiro got in, he certainly deserves it. But the numbers are very comparable. And if that’s the case, then it should be a no-brainer.
Lofton, who played 550 fewer games than Suzuki, compares well in several offensive categories, including home runs, RBI, steals, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS — all of which favor the six-time Cleveland All-Star. Lofton’s wins above replacement of 68.4 gives him a tremendous edge over Suzuki, who finished his career with 60.0 WAR according to Baseball Reference.
That’s not to mention Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who were eligible for the first time that year, along with steroid-era holdovers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. It’s not much of an excuse, but with writers limited to just 10 votes, Lofton may have slipped through the cracks based on the sheer magnitude of talent and chaos on the ballot.Lofton’s 622 steals rank 15th all-time, and he led the AL in steals five straight times from 1992-96.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Indians Star Kenny Lofton Helps Wildfire VictimsKenny Lofton, the former center fielder for the Indians, offered assistance to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Lofton, a longtime California resident, donated supplies to shelters and expressed his sorrow for the victims who lost their homes and belongings.
Read more »
Kenny Lofton Assists Neighbors Impacted by Devastating California WildfiresFormer MLB player Kenny Lofton shares his experience witnessing the destructive power of the California wildfires and his efforts to help those affected. Despite his home being spared, Lofton emphasizes the widespread impact of the fires, reaching both affluent and low-income communities.
Read more »
Christina Hall Cries Over Ex Josh Hall's Claims of 'Manufactured Drama' on 'Flip or Flop'Christina Hall responds to her ex-husband Josh Hall's accusations that HGTV fabricated drama for their show 'Flip or Flop'. Hall admits their relationship was challenging and expresses relief at his departure from the series.
Read more »
Christina Hall Says Josh Hall's Insecurities Made Life DifficultChristina Hall opens up about her strained relationship with ex-husband Josh Hall, revealing that his insecurities caused tension and difficulties. She cites his concerns about her working with Tarek El Moussa on their new HGTV show 'The Flip Off' as a prime example. Hall expresses relief at moving forward without Josh, stating that he doesn't have the personality for TV and that their split will play out on the upcoming show.
Read more »
Moonshiners Star Kenny Law Dies at 68Beloved 'Moonshiners' star Kenny Law has died at 68. The news was announced on social media by Law's Choice Distillery, owned by Kenny and his cousin Henry. According to Henry, Kenny passed away at a local hospital following several health issues including a heart attack in 2024. Kenny was known for his role on the Discovery Channel series 'Moonshiners', which follows Appalachian moonshiners who continue a 200-year-old tradition.
Read more »
Christina Haack Says Divorce Trial with Josh Hall is 'Going to Be Fun'Christina Haack's divorce from Josh Hall is heading to trial. The HGTV star revealed on Radio Andy's Jeff Lewis Live that Hall is unwilling to engage in mediation. Haack also alleged that Hall is requesting spousal support while simultaneously purchasing a luxury Bentley. Hall's spokesperson refuted Haack's claims, stating that Hall is focused on his current life and relationship.
Read more »