Former Tribe star is the subject of a last minute trade.
By Ken Robinson, Newsradio WTAM 1100
Check out Ken's personality page
Friday, July 27, 2007
(Cleveland) – WTAM has learned that Kenny Lofton is heading back to Cleveland.
One of the Tribe's most beloved former players is being traded by the Texas Rangers to the Indians in a last minute deal. Details are expected later. Lofton is likely to return to his old post in center field even though he is now in his 40's.
Bringing Lofton back to Cleveland has been the talk of sports columnists recently. This will be Lofton's third tour of duty with the Indians.
In the early 1990s, the Astros traded Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for another top prospect, catcher Eddie Taubenseeand right handed pitcher Willie Blair. It would turn out to be one of the worst trades in Astros history.
During his rookie season Lofton hit .285 and his 66 stolen bases were the most ever recorded by an American League rookie. He finished second in the balloting for American League rookie of the year.
His career blossomed from that point on, as he was one of the most dominant players (and one of the best leadoff hitters) of the 1990s. He appeared in 6 straight all-star games and won four straight Gold Gloves for the Indians and the Atlanta Braves.
Through the 2006 season, Lofton has been a .299 hitter with 123 home runs, 120 triples (2nd of all active players), and 1,442 runs (6th of all active players) in 1,967 games.
His 619 stolen bases as of July 2, 2007 rank him 1st among active players and 16th on the all-time list, two short of passing Otis Nixon for 15th. He holds the Cleveland Indians record for stolen bases with 450 steals.
Lofton played with the Tribe until 1996. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves along with Alan Embree for Marquis Grissom and slugger David Justice.
Lofton rejoined the Indians in 1998 when he signed as a free agent, forcing the Tribe to trade Grissom. He played in Cleveland for 3 more years. From 2001 to 2007 Lofton has played for eight teams.
(Copyright 2007 Clear Channel, All right reserved.)
By Ken Robinson, Newsradio WTAM 1100
Check out Ken's personality page
Friday, July 27, 2007
(Cleveland) – WTAM has learned that Kenny Lofton is heading back to Cleveland.
One of the Tribe's most beloved former players is being traded by the Texas Rangers to the Indians in a last minute deal. Details are expected later. Lofton is likely to return to his old post in center field even though he is now in his 40's.
Bringing Lofton back to Cleveland has been the talk of sports columnists recently. This will be Lofton's third tour of duty with the Indians.
In the early 1990s, the Astros traded Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for another top prospect, catcher Eddie Taubenseeand right handed pitcher Willie Blair. It would turn out to be one of the worst trades in Astros history.
During his rookie season Lofton hit .285 and his 66 stolen bases were the most ever recorded by an American League rookie. He finished second in the balloting for American League rookie of the year.
His career blossomed from that point on, as he was one of the most dominant players (and one of the best leadoff hitters) of the 1990s. He appeared in 6 straight all-star games and won four straight Gold Gloves for the Indians and the Atlanta Braves.
Through the 2006 season, Lofton has been a .299 hitter with 123 home runs, 120 triples (2nd of all active players), and 1,442 runs (6th of all active players) in 1,967 games.
His 619 stolen bases as of July 2, 2007 rank him 1st among active players and 16th on the all-time list, two short of passing Otis Nixon for 15th. He holds the Cleveland Indians record for stolen bases with 450 steals.
Lofton played with the Tribe until 1996. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves along with Alan Embree for Marquis Grissom and slugger David Justice.
Lofton rejoined the Indians in 1998 when he signed as a free agent, forcing the Tribe to trade Grissom. He played in Cleveland for 3 more years. From 2001 to 2007 Lofton has played for eight teams.
(Copyright 2007 Clear Channel, All right reserved.)
