James Lofton (baseball)
Encyclopedia
James O'Neal Lofton is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox
during the 2001
season. Listed at 5' 9", 170 lb., he was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.
In an eight-game career, Lofton was a .192 hitter (5-for-25) with one run
, a double
, one RBI
, and two stolen base
s. In seven fielding appearances, he committed two errors
in 25 chances for a .920 fielding percentage
.
Lofton also has played in the Boston, Baltimore
and Cincinnati
minor league systems (1993–2007), as well as in several independent leagues. He was named an All-Star in the Pioneer (1994) and Western
(2000) leagues. In 14 minor league seasons, he is a .272 hitter with 55 home runs and 504 RBI in 1173 games.
Lofton is believed to be related to current MLB Outfielder Kenny Lofton
. James has stated, "Yeah I think he's like my second or third cousin, something like that. Too bad I only got his second or third talent."
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
during the 2001
2001 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Arizona Diamondbacks*Postseason - October 9 to November 4Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
season. Listed at 5' 9", 170 lb., he was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.
In an eight-game career, Lofton was a .192 hitter (5-for-25) with one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and two stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. In seven fielding appearances, he committed two errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 25 chances for a .920 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
.
Lofton also has played in the Boston, Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
minor league systems (1993–2007), as well as in several independent leagues. He was named an All-Star in the Pioneer (1994) and Western
Western Baseball League
The Western Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in the Western United States and Western Canada. It's member teams were not associated with any Major League Baseball teams. It operated from 1995 to 2002....
(2000) leagues. In 14 minor league seasons, he is a .272 hitter with 55 home runs and 504 RBI in 1173 games.
Lofton is believed to be related to current MLB Outfielder Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
. James has stated, "Yeah I think he's like my second or third cousin, something like that. Too bad I only got his second or third talent."