I love Kenny Lofton. But he is a cranky guy to get in-person and his private signings can be both expensive and restrictive to what he will sign. So when I see a decent autograph of his pop up I like to hop on them.
Lofton was a great player. Really good. Probably better than most people remember. He is still, I think, the perfectly constructed leadoff hitter: centerfielder with power, on-base skills, and speed.
- Spent 17 seasons in the big leagues–10 of which was with the Cleveland Indians.
- During his peak–which I will call from 1992 to 2003–he hit .299/.374/.429 with an OPS+ of 110. He averaged 10 HR and 45 stolen bases during that period.
- He finished second in the Rookie of the Year race in 1992.
- He was selected to six All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves.
- He led the league in stolen bases five times.
- Led the American League in hits in 1994 with 160.
He is a solid “not quite Hall of Fame” player. But he is one of the greatest players in Cleveland Indians history.