Lofton Shows Speed in Return to the Lineup

It might not have been quite as heartwarming as Andres Galarraga’s triumphant, opening-week return to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup, but Kenny Lofton’s return to the Cleveland Indians was just as impressive, considering the obstacle and the speed with which he overcame it.

Of course, speed is Lofton’s forte. However, no one expected him to be back in center field for the Indians by opening day, when the valuable leadoff hitter hit a sixth-inning home run against Mike Mussina that broke a 1-1 tie and propelled the Indians to a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles and former manager Mike Hargrove.

Lofton tore his rotator cuff in the division series with the Boston Red Sox last October and had surgery Dec. 15. He didn’t play in a spring game until the final week and didn’t play center field until the final exhibition.

Even that wasn’t expected.

“Originally, the doctors said he wouldn’t be back until June or July, and I talked to some people who didn’t think he’d play this year at all,” Indian Manager Charlie Manuel said. “I can’t believe it myself.”

Referring to Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, Lofton said, “He called me a medical miracle. He can’t explain it. I had a full thickness tear, from one end [of the cuff] to the other. He told me that he didn’t want to say anything when I first had the surgery, but that the kind of tear I had could be career threatening. He said he didn’t mention that to me because he didn’t want to discourage me.

“Most guys who have this surgery wouldn’t even be throwing yet, they would just now be thinking about starting to throw.”

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Manuel might have set a rookie managerial record by being ejected twice in his first three regular-season games--both times for arguing balls and strikes.

He is concerned that having American and National league umpires work both leagues will cause confusion rather than conformity for hitters and pitchers exposed to new strike zones.

Others, however, contend that there is no conformity from one umpire to another, so the change isn’t a problem.

Said New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre, before leaving Anaheim, “I think it’s a good idea for no other reason than to prevent bad blood from developing.”

In other words, teams will now see the same umpires less often, defusing possible feuds that could linger and fester.

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With Rod Beck on the disabled list because of a nerve irritation and Juan Pena sidelined for the season because of a torn elbow ligament, the Boston Red Sox have again moved knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to the bullpen and will start late-spring acquisition Pete Schourek. “I think my versatility is being abused,” Wakefield told the Boston media. “I’m averaging 13 wins as a starter and I eat up a lot of innings. It’s hard to swallow but I won’t disrespect any of my teammates.” Wakefield played a key bullpen role last year when closer Tom Gordon was injured.

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The Seattle Mariners are only the third franchise since 1960 to open a season with three batting champions in the lineup. Edgar Martinez won with a .343 average in 1992 and .356 in 1995, John Olerud with .363 in 1993, and Alex Rodriguez with .358 in 1996.

The 1988 and 1989 Kansas City Royals featured George Brett, Willie Wilson and Bill Buckner; the 1995 Yankees had Wage Boggs, Paul O’Neill and Don Mattingly, and the 1996 and ’97 Yankees had Boggs, O’Neill and Tim Raines.

Gerald Perry, Mariner batting instructor who played for the ’89 Royals, said that Martinez, Olerud and Rodriguez give the team presence and confidence.

“Nothing is going to rattle these guys,” he said. “They have a plan and they stick with it. If you have faith in yourself and believe in yourself, you’re going to be successful.”