He hit .299 which is damn near 300 but Kenny lofting should be a hall of famer ! It’s cuz he wasent a Homerun hitter but at the end of the day his defense was insane and his stolen bases speak for itself .. they gotta put him in the hof or this is bs
Agreed! Should be in HOF at some point. Very dominant & the last of the “true” lead off hitters. Nowadays they pencil anybody to lead off. One of my all time fav players growing up
I made Kenny a drink at Starbucks, he seemed nervous to be there, probably not wanting to be recognized. I handed him his drink and said, "Thanks for the memories and don't worry, I won't tell anyone who you are until after you leave." He said, "Thanks man, I appreciate that." He winked and walked out.
As a Braves fan, Lofton struck fear in any defense when he got on base. Amazing sequence of plays. Bunt for a base hit, stolen base, and dash from 2nd on a passed ball. Beautiful.
You ain’t lying. In 95 I thought there was no way the Braves would beat the Indians. That team was stacked and Lofton was the tip of the spear. Him getting on base set the tone for that monster lineup. I literally got nervous when he’d get on. I absolutely loved it when he came to Atlanta, but it was never the same and he should have never been traded away from Cleveland.
One of the greatest hitters, base stealers, and outfielders of our time. I don't understand why he's not in the HOF. He played the game the way it was meant to be played. He gave it his all in every game. For example when they were one out from losing the playoffs. He ran and slid into first base, doing everything he could to get there. He got really hurt. I felt so sorry for him.
Man, just the name Kenny Lofton brings back memories and for some reason of the Ken Griffey jr baseball game. Baseball is in dire need of more Kenny Loftons. We need more basestealing! More bunt squeezes! More action! Not just another shallow basehit to left field. Homeruns are fun n all but damn it gets boring. I just miss the old days of baseball people.
You and me both, bro! That's why I don't really fuck with baseball, like that, anymore. I stopped watching, regularly, since like, since the mid-2000's. Anyhow, Kenny Lofton was my all-time favorite player. The only thing he DIDN'T do was hit home runs. He could definitely, do everything else.
Yes I agree back then teams had to work hard to get every run they could anyway they could I miss the old days too I missed the era of Kenny lofton Ken Griffey Jr Cal ripken Jr those were Legends
Not many players can say they got the better of the Big Unit... on multiple occasions no less. Growing up an Indians fan in the glory years of the 90s, Lofton was by far my favorite player. He made bunting look like an form of art, with a smooth and seamless motion that literally was unstoppable at times. He could hit to opposite field, steal bases, play centerfield with the best them. He was everything you could ever ask for in a leadoff hitter. He'll forever be loved in Cleveland and damn well needs to be in the HOF.
He played for Cleveland Indians... same with Omar Vizquel. If Lofton had played for the Dodgers, or Boston he'd of been a first ballot H.O.F. These people hate Cleveland period
@@mikeking3507 I want to like that comment 100x. you're damn right and it's an embarrassment to the sport that a guy who has a career .299 BA, 2428 hits, 622 SB and played 17 yrs isn't in the HOF
Yes he was a very big asset to the Indians in that era I can't tell you how many games they won because of him just his strategic base running and base hitting alone set the bar good job Kenny
I grew up in Cleveland, moved to Boston 30 years ago. My folks visited me in the '90's and we attended a Tribe-Sox game at Fenway. Somebody - I forget hit a BOMB to left centerfield which Kenny ran down and made a Willie Mays catch in the deepest corner of Fenway Park. I remember two things. My father, 65ish at that time, said that was the best catch he'd ever seen. The second - the Fenway crowd gave Kenny a huge standing ovation as the the Indians ran off the field. I've never seen anything like it. Thanks Sox fans, nice.
EDIT: found the catch on YT ua-cam.com/video/z71mRBAIOgc/v-deo.html 54:30 I think I know exactly the play you are referring to because it's etched in my mind. The player was Tom Brunansky and it had to be 1994 because as I recall it was his second tour of duty with the Red Sox. The ball was an absolute rocket as you say, a long but relatively low line drive with no hang time. It was just such a remarkable catch, because in almost all cases the outfielder will track a ball by running and glancing over his shoulder periodically to time it...however in this instance Lofton broke into a full sprint immediately at the crack of the bat, and with his numbers directly facing home plate like a track star running a 40-yard dash, he used all his speed to catch up and spear the ball like Superman catching a bullet. The catch was right by the 420 ft sign if I recall correctly. It was one of the most amazing athletic feats I've seen by a center fielder because of the combination of speed, reflexes, instincts, and coordination, with so little time to spare. I haven't seen a replay since.
Indians fan since '92, 1st baseball game ever Cleveland at Seattle and I look down and is my lucky number 7 Kenny Lofton... My all time favorite player to this day and there's no one even close... 1B, 3B, Bunts, Steals, HRs, amazing speed, and Gold Gloves... Amazing thank you Kenny for the memories!!!
Indians are my fav team all time. I’m a Padres, Dodgers, Giants, and A’s fan, but the Indians uniforms and players during this time were the coolest to me as a kid growing up. No team was close for me
i wish someone would sit Greg Allen down, and force him to watch hours of Kenny Lofton hitting - the way Lofton slapped that outside pitch to left field was awesome, he never tried to pull it, just smack it right down that 3rd base line.. and then the bunting - no one bunted for base hits better... i wish Allen could soak in some of that hitting mentality..
The Willie Mays Hays of the Indians I was at the game he made that crazy catch , ya know every Indians game I went to he was one of the only ones that signed for fans after the game He should 💯% be in the hall of fame He was one of my fav players
I love and respect how absolutely amazing Randy Johnson was as a HOF pitcher....but being a Cleveland fan I loved and respected even more how Lofton would drive Randy absolutely crazy while beating him lefty-on-lefty. Hell, just the scoring from second on the passed ball in the playoff game is enough for Kenny to be in the HOF.
I'm so sick that every HOF class discussion is about the steroid guys and not the viable candidates like Kenny. He was the top centerfielder/lead off hitter in the game for an extended period of time. Bill Mazeroski , Harold Baines? Who wouldn't take Kenny over those guys in a heartbeat?
My favorite ball player. This guy left cleat marks on the wall which were over my head at 5'7". That was my junior year in HS. When I tried climbing that wall, I could only get my wrist to the top.
2:12 imagine being that cop sitting in the bullpen and getting an up close and personal look at one of the most iconic moments in Cleveland baseball history.
I truly miss the Indians. Guardians will always be a bore. Thanks Dolan - done with baseball (and that breaks my heart as i was raised in that old stadium)
I was at that game where they were down by 12, I asked my friend if we could just leave and sadly, we did 👻⚾ heard the comeback begin on the car radio....he hates me now.
@Lighthouse in the Storm I would trade out Loften for Ichiro. They're the best 3 outfielders I have got to actually watch play the game. Kenny does get looked over and is on my all time roster. So is another outfielder most don't give credit. That's Jim Edmonds. If he was a better hitter he'd be starting over Mike T. Jim Edmonds is better than all three defensively in my opinion.
Kenny Lofton should be in the hall of fame.
ABSOLUTELY
ABSOLUTELY
Wait he isn’t?
@@cloudproud729 Nope and hes no longer eligible for the ballot
@@bryansleva2789 **** the HOF
It is crazy to think a 300 hitter with over 600 SB is not in the HOF....
With 60 plus career war 🤦♂️
He hit .299 which is damn near 300 but Kenny lofting should be a hall of famer ! It’s cuz he wasent a Homerun hitter but at the end of the day his defense was insane and his stolen bases speak for itself .. they gotta put him in the hof or this is bs
@@Ac7iveArts sports writers vote players in and i don't think Lofton rubbed people the wrong way so he should get in .
Are you kidding me he's not in the Hall of Fame oh my God
@@stellertonybeller1972 absolutely should be voted in
Kenny Lofton is my favourite player of all time & should be in the Hall Of Fame
Absurdly underrated.
Agreed! Should be in HOF at some point. Very dominant & the last of the “true” lead off hitters. Nowadays they pencil anybody to lead off. One of my all time fav players growing up
Very underrated
Perfect comment😉, life long Cleveland fan at 52.
I made Kenny a drink at Starbucks, he seemed nervous to be there, probably not wanting to be recognized. I handed him his drink and said, "Thanks for the memories and don't worry, I won't tell anyone who you are until after you leave." He said, "Thanks man, I appreciate that." He winked and walked out.
super great
Awesome
As a Braves fan, Lofton struck fear in any defense when he got on base. Amazing sequence of plays. Bunt for a base hit, stolen base, and dash from 2nd on a passed ball. Beautiful.
You ain’t lying. In 95 I thought there was no way the Braves would beat the Indians. That team was stacked and Lofton was the tip of the spear. Him getting on base set the tone for that monster lineup. I literally got nervous when he’d get on. I absolutely loved it when he came to Atlanta, but it was never the same and he should have never been traded away from Cleveland.
One of the greatest hitters, base stealers, and outfielders of our time. I don't understand why he's not in the HOF. He played the game the way it was meant to be played. He gave it his all in every game. For example when they were one out from losing the playoffs. He ran and slid into first base, doing everything he could to get there. He got really hurt. I felt so sorry for him.
Kenny, Albert, Manny and Omar should all be in the Hall of Fame
Man, just the name Kenny Lofton brings back memories and for some reason of the Ken Griffey jr baseball game. Baseball is in dire need of more Kenny Loftons. We need more basestealing! More bunt squeezes! More action! Not just another shallow basehit to left field. Homeruns are fun n all but damn it gets boring.
I just miss the old days of baseball people.
You and me both, bro! That's why I don't really fuck with baseball, like that, anymore. I stopped watching, regularly, since like, since the mid-2000's. Anyhow, Kenny Lofton was my all-time favorite player. The only thing he DIDN'T do was hit home runs. He could definitely, do everything else.
Yes I agree back then teams had to work hard to get every run they could anyway they could I miss the old days too I missed the era of Kenny lofton Ken Griffey Jr Cal ripken Jr those were Legends
yup
Not many players can say they got the better of the Big Unit... on multiple occasions no less. Growing up an Indians fan in the glory years of the 90s, Lofton was by far my favorite player. He made bunting look like an form of art, with a smooth and seamless motion that literally was unstoppable at times. He could hit to opposite field, steal bases, play centerfield with the best them. He was everything you could ever ask for in a leadoff hitter. He'll forever be loved in Cleveland and damn well needs to be in the HOF.
It's a damn shame he isn't in the Hall of fame!!
Yes he is
@@cadyncook497 Nope
He played for Cleveland Indians... same with Omar Vizquel.
If Lofton had played for the Dodgers, or Boston he'd of been a first ballot H.O.F.
These people hate Cleveland period
They needed at least one ring. I think he and Belle would be in if they had won one.
@@mikeking3507 I want to like that comment 100x. you're damn right and it's an embarrassment to the sport that a guy who has a career .299 BA, 2428 hits, 622 SB and played 17 yrs isn't in the HOF
Kenny lofton was the shit...of my favorite players of all time💯
same. no one plays like him in today's game.
Yes he was a very big asset to the Indians in that era I can't tell you how many games they won because of him just his strategic base running and base hitting alone set the bar good job Kenny
Kenny Lofton was the great ball player. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
I grew up in Cleveland, moved to Boston 30 years ago. My folks visited me in the '90's and we attended a Tribe-Sox game at Fenway. Somebody - I forget hit a BOMB to left centerfield which Kenny ran down and made a Willie Mays catch in the deepest corner of Fenway Park.
I remember two things. My father, 65ish at that time, said that was the best catch he'd ever seen. The second - the Fenway crowd gave Kenny a huge standing ovation as the the Indians ran off the field. I've never seen anything like it. Thanks Sox fans, nice.
EDIT: found the catch on YT ua-cam.com/video/z71mRBAIOgc/v-deo.html 54:30
I think I know exactly the play you are referring to because it's etched in my mind. The player was Tom Brunansky and it had to be 1994 because as I recall it was his second tour of duty with the Red Sox. The ball was an absolute rocket as you say, a long but relatively low line drive with no hang time. It was just such a remarkable catch, because in almost all cases the outfielder will track a ball by running and glancing over his shoulder periodically to time it...however in this instance Lofton broke into a full sprint immediately at the crack of the bat, and with his numbers directly facing home plate like a track star running a 40-yard dash, he used all his speed to catch up and spear the ball like Superman catching a bullet. The catch was right by the 420 ft sign if I recall correctly. It was one of the most amazing athletic feats I've seen by a center fielder because of the combination of speed, reflexes, instincts, and coordination, with so little time to spare. I haven't seen a replay since.
@@mikegulliver4885 oh man - I have been looking for this ever since. Thanks so much!!!! Now I know it really happened! May I buy you a drink?!!?
@@mjp96glad to help!!!
Kenny was a really good basketball player too. He went to the final 4 with the Arizona Wildcats and was teammates with Spurs legend Sean Elliot
And Steve kerr
He was a great Brave too. Man I miss my era. These films are gold.
His 3 run homer in the 07 ALCS should be on here
Him and Omar are my favorite Indians of all time. Don't care how long they played for us.
NEEDS to be in the Hall
Indians fan since '92, 1st baseball game ever Cleveland at Seattle and I look down and is my lucky number 7 Kenny Lofton... My all time favorite player to this day and there's no one even close... 1B, 3B, Bunts, Steals, HRs, amazing speed, and Gold Gloves... Amazing thank you Kenny for the memories!!!
In his prime Lofton had godly speed. Absolutely hands down insanely underrated
He was basically Vince Coleman with a real bat.
Amazing lead off hitter. Not only could he make contact and rob bases in his sleep, he made 6 all stars and won 4 gold gloves.
Absolutely one of the best center fielders in Major League baseball Indians were grateful and lucky to have him phenomenal ball player way to go Kenny
Kenny Lofton was one of my favorite players growing up!!! Damn good ball player!!! Should be in the HOF
The Mariners game is burned in my memory. Lofton should be a hall of famer.
Carlos, Kenny , Sandy and Omar
Loved them all
Kenny was my favorite player growing up in the 90’s . It’s crazy that with his long great career he isn’t in the hof
What I remember most about Kenny is that when the team needed him to deliver, he did.
Always liked Kenny Lofton ... Always came through at the right moment. All⭐Star player in my book.
Indians are my fav team all time. I’m a Padres, Dodgers, Giants, and A’s fan, but the Indians uniforms and players during this time were the coolest to me as a kid growing up. No team was close for me
Kenny lofton was a bad man 👌🏽💯
the BEST, just like Grandersen
thanks Kenny Lofton for providing so much excitement and hope for me and all Indian fans.
i wish someone would sit Greg Allen down, and force him to watch hours of Kenny Lofton hitting - the way Lofton slapped that outside pitch to left field was awesome, he never tried to pull it, just smack it right down that 3rd base line.. and then the bunting - no one bunted for base hits better... i wish Allen could soak in some of that hitting mentality..
Agree! Him and the young Mercado. He could be a superstar if he watched Kenny. But he's got more power too. Lindor should watch Kenny too.
Kenny Lofton ALWAYS Hits The Dingers!!!!! ❤️💙⚾️
Great time to be a Cleveland Indians fan! I miss my Indians! Go tribe!
2:48 Baseball's greatest comeback.
erasing `12 runs in just three innings is amazing
Loved watching Kenny play what a great player
I was at that fame when they were down by 12 to comeback and win. You talk about excitement
The Willie Mays Hays of the Indians
I was at the game he made that crazy catch , ya know every Indians game I went to he was one of the only ones that signed for fans after the game
He should 💯% be in the hall of fame
He was one of my fav players
Living in Cleveland in the 90s, the two most common rally phrases were "Kenny's on" and ""Albert"s up".
Hometown Hero from East Chicago, Indiana (Harborside) Kenny belongs in the HOF!!
I love and respect how absolutely amazing Randy Johnson was as a HOF pitcher....but being a Cleveland fan I loved and respected even more how Lofton would drive Randy absolutely crazy while beating him lefty-on-lefty. Hell, just the scoring from second on the passed ball in the playoff game is enough for Kenny to be in the HOF.
I don't know if Kenny will ever be in the HOF, but, I sure as hell will never forget him, or all he did for the Tribe, and the fans.
I'm so sick that every HOF class discussion is about the steroid guys and not the viable candidates like Kenny. He was the top centerfielder/lead off hitter in the game for an extended period of time. Bill Mazeroski , Harold Baines? Who wouldn't take Kenny over those guys in a heartbeat?
Glory Days !!! They will pass you by in the wink of a young girls eyes Glory Days !!!
Creepy
One of the greatest catches in history
My favorite ball player. This guy left cleat marks on the wall which were over my head at 5'7". That was my junior year in HS. When I tried climbing that wall, I could only get my wrist to the top.
Huge play on the wild pitch!!!
The timing on that catch was excellent.
野茂が初めて日本人でメジャーで活躍した年にケニーロフトン選手を知りました。あの頃のインディアンスは最強ですね!そのチームのリードオフマンとして活躍してたしカッコ良かった!好きな選手の一人です!
That climb over the wall may be the greatest catch I’ve ever seen
Definitely way more Kenny plays left to surface. This doesn’t do him justice.
Kenny Lofton H.o.F. he's my favorite even more than Mark Grace
Why did I laugh out loud when they showed manager Lou Piniella in the dugout after Lofton scored on the wild pitch from second base?!?😂😂
Absolutely he should be in the HOF
He should be in the HOF with his career numbers and some of the big games he was a part of.
2:12 imagine being that cop sitting in the bullpen and getting an up close and personal look at one of the most iconic moments in Cleveland baseball history.
Brewer fan here. Lofton and belle were great ball players.
Man, I remember the play were Lofton scored from second on a wild pitch, I didn't remember it was against my Mariners. xD
it was during the 1995 ALCS... It was the final game of the series
I'd never seen the play at 2:06. That's got to be one of the greatest plays of all time.
Lofton turned "The Big Unit" into "The Small Johnson" 😂
Scoring from second on a passed ball..!?! Are you insane?..(yes, and we love it!!!❤❤😊)
Fast as gas
Man he was an electric offensive talent before the hamstring injury.
He made Johnson damn mad and I’d be scared if I had to hit after that.
Holy shit, that's the best pie in the face in history!
The late 90s Cleveland Indians were legit af
dude was my childhood
As a Mariners fan.. this hurts.
taking home from 2nd on a passed ball?? insane.
I truly miss the Indians. Guardians will always be a bore.
Thanks Dolan - done with baseball (and that breaks my heart as i was raised in that old stadium)
Uuu que jugadas arriba clevelan
How is this guy not in the Hall of Fame
2:12 Kenny was a straight-up thief!! He should've gotten 5-10 for that robbery!!
This video should be 45 minutes long!
Probably a nightmare pitching while that mans on base
I was at that game where they were down by 12, I asked my friend if we could just leave and sadly, we did 👻⚾ heard the comeback begin on the car radio....he hates me now.
Lofton is my Kenny Mayes-Hayes.
Him and Vizquel should be in the HOF
“Kenny Lofton, you feeling my pace, they only care about a nigga when he stealing a base” - J Cole
2:36 That's Grand Larceny!
2021 still not in the hof . Dam shame.
2007 WS was ours .
Do Albert Belle
Highlights of killing the thermostat
3:36 Was that Matt Underwood?
Yes
@@mikewack6778 That's what I thought.
My coach, James lofton is Kenny’s cousin
#Uecker call for the win...
That's your cousin Kenny Lofton he was a real humdinger
Indians's engine should be h.o.f
Why isnt Kenny Lofton in the hall of fame?
How the heck can Lofton not be a HOFer??
福田周平の目指す姿
All you kids watching at home that’s how you communicate with your runner at home. Get your ass on the ground and tell him to get dirty
⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
We still care even after he’s done stealing a base
Should be in the HOF its a absolute joke he's not in yet
LF Kenny Loften
CF Ken Griffey jr
RF Mike Trout
Greatest outfield ever
@Lighthouse in the Storm I would trade out Loften for Ichiro. They're the best 3 outfielders I have got to actually watch play the game. Kenny does get looked over and is on my all time roster. So is another outfielder most don't give credit. That's Jim Edmonds. If he was a better hitter he'd be starting over Mike T. Jim Edmonds is better than all three defensively in my opinion.
Lofton was a problem every time he got on base
I can’t believe they got rid of the Indian and put a giant C on the hats and helmets now. It looks so damn dumb.
The only reason Lofton isn't in the Hall of Fame is because he played in a steroid-fuelled offensive era.