Cleveland Guardians legend Kenny Lofton was one of the finest base-stealing artists in the history of the game.
He swiped 622 bags over the course of a 17-year career, and 452 of them were with Cleveland.
Lofton peaked at 75 stolen bases in 1996.
In a conversation with podcaster and analyst Chris Rose, Lofton was asked how many steals he would get in today’s game, with the current rules, if he was in his prime.
Lofton’s answer might surprise you.
“Kenny Lofton says he could easily get 100 steals a year with today’s rules,” Chris Rose Sports posted on X.
Kenny Lofton says he could easily get 100 steals a year with today’s rules pic.twitter.com/ml9rkAD4ZC
— Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) January 27, 2025
In an effort to promote stolen bases, the league recently introduced a series of rule changes that include bigger bases and a maximum of two (2) step-offs or disengagements per plate appearance for hurlers.
If the hurler steps off or attempts a pickoff more than twice in a plate appearance, the runner(s) will advance one base.
“Easily a hundred, because I got on base. A lot of people don’t get on base,” Lofton answered, reminding those watching or hearing that you can’t steal first base.
Indeed, Lofton retired with a .372 OBP and peaked at .412 in 1994.
The former star, who spent 10 years in Cleveland and was there for the most productive era in franchise history, also pointed out that he achieved his base-stealing success when pitchers mostly had quick deliveries to home plate instead of high leg kicks or slow windups.
Lofton was probably the league’s premier base-stealer for almost a decade.
Shockingly, despite his obvious hitting, baserunning, and defensive contributions, he is not in the Hall of Fame.
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