The Severed Cortex

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2951549&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

I'm not saying that Kenny Lofton should get into the Hall of Fame, and I know that every player is eligible for a vote five years after their retirement from MLB, but should Kenny Lofton at least deserve the courtesy of baseball analysts discussing his election to Cooperstown?

In my opinion he at least deserves some votes from the writers. Quietly, Lofton has played 17 full seasons and he's still productive. There's no reason why he can't play a few more if he wants to. He's still a major threat on the basepaths and he still plays center field like a man half his age. He's also one of only 2 men to play in the NCAA Final Four (with the University of Arizona), and the World Series. Oddly enough, the only other man to do that is a graduate of the same high school as Lofton.

While Lofton's stats are not gaudy, they are worthy of some consideration. A .300 batting average, 2,000 plus hits, over 600 stolen bases, and four Gold Gloves, Lofton has proven himself as at least a four tool player. Even as a codger, he's still more toolsy than a lot of 25 year olds. There has to be a reason why he's been involved in a non-waiver deadline trade three times, the last coming yesterday at age 40. (Not many teams trade for a 40 year old). I know Cardinal fans hate Kenny Lofton because he's burned them several times, but there's a reason for that. He's a very good baseball player, even if you don't hear about him every night on Sportscenter. He at least deserves the same consideration as Keith Hernandez or Jim Rice, which probably means he'll never reach the Hall.