Chicago Cubs: A nostalgic look back into the ghosts of Wrigley’s past

Chicago Cubs: Kenny Lofton, CF, 2003

It is impressive to look at the career of Kenny Lofton between 2002 and 2003 and understand he played for four different teams across that span. The Chicago Cubs fit in as one pit stop along the way, finishing the year out for Lofton as he played 56 games in Chicago.

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Midway through the 2003 season, the Cubs sent a player by the name of Jose Hernandez and prospects Matt Bruback and Bobby Hill, both of whom never amounted to anything, to the Pirates. Aramis Ramirez also went to the Cubs in that deal, making it one of the best in club history.

In his time in Chicago, Lofton posted a ridiculously great .327/.381/.471 line with a .367 wOBA and above-average 121 wRC+ at the age of 36. Lofton also posted more than respectable numbers in the postseason that year too, finishing with a .308/.368/.346 line and just a 10.3 percent strikeout rate over 58 plate appearances.

During this decade, the Jim Hendry-led Cubs relied on bringing in aging veterans to remedy an up-and-down franchise.

However, Lofton became another player who somehow found the Fountain of Youth at the Friendly Confines.