Hall candidate: Kenny Lofton's chances are slim
- Kenny Lofton led the American League in stolen bases for five consecutive seasons from 1992-1996
- The outfielder played for 11 teams in his 17-year career
- Lofton won four Gold Gloves and made six All-Star teams
(Editor's note: USA TODAY Sports is publishing sketches of the top Hall of Fame candidates on this year's ballot. It is an intriguing group, ranging from players with first-ballot accomplishments marred by the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs to unsullied players nearing the end of their 15-year eligibility. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce Jan. 9 who, if anyone, accumulates the 75% of the vote necessary for induction.)
Name: Kenny Lofton
Position: Center field
Career: 1991-2007; Astros, Indians, Braves, White Sox, Giants, Pirates, Cubs, Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers
Year on ballot: First
Why he should be inducted: Because he was the game's premier base-stealer in the early and mid-1990s, leading the AL for five consecutive seasons from 1992-1996. In Cleveland, Lofton set the table for some of the most potent offenses in baseball. His 622 career stolen bases are 152 more than any other player totaled over the seasons Lofton played.
The six-time All-Star was an excellent center fielder who won four Gold Gloves and reached the postseason in 11 of his 17 seasons. Lofton remained productive at the plate until he retired at age 40, hitting .308 and posting a .783 OPS over his final three seasons.
Why he shouldn't be inducted: Though prolific early in his career, Lofton stole more than 30 bases only once in the final nine years of his career. He topped 200 hits just once and didn't accumulate the kind of career stats in any category that might constitute a Hall of Fame resume.
Numbers don't lie: Lofton is the career leader in postseason stolen bases with 34.
Verdict: Lofton was an above-average player for nearly two decades, but his numbers fall short. If Tim Raines is a long way from Cooperstown with significantly better stats, Lofton doesn't have much of a chance, at least not now.