Chicago Cubs: Ten players you may have forgotten were once on the team

Chicago Cubs: Kenny Lofton

I’ve never understood why Kenny Lofton didn’t get more Hall of Fame consideration. He was dropped from the ballot after his first try in 2013 when he only got 3.2% of the vote. Lofton boasts a career 68.3 WAR and a .299 batting average over 17 years while leading the league in stolen bases five times. The outfielder made the All-Star team six straight times from 1994-1999. On defense, he won four Gold Glove Awards.

Despite playing on some great teams, including many years with the Cleveland Indians, one blemish on Lofton’s career is that he never won a World Series ring. He came close several times, making 11 postseason appearances, including two World Series. He also came close with the Chicago Cubs in 2003.

Many people remember the big trade the Cubs made with the Pittsburgh Pirates in July of 2003 in which Aramis Ramirez came over and had a great run that lasted several years, yet Lofton was also a part of that trade. Corey Patterson was on his way to having a breakout year, yet his season was cut short due to injury, so the Cubs targeted Lofton to fill their center field void.

The 36-year-old Lofton was excellent down the stretch after the trade, batting .327 in 56 games. He was also significant in that ill-fated National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins, going 10-for-31. Lofton did not return after the season and bounced around for a few years before last appearing in 2007.