Kenny Lofton is disturbed with how baseball has changed — and here’s his plan to fix it

New York Post - Mar 19th, 2025

Kenny Lofton, a former MLB star known for his high batting average and stolen bases, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of Major League Baseball, notably its emphasis on home runs over situational hitting. In a recent interview, Lofton criticized the focus on metrics like exit velocity and launch angle, which prioritize power hitting at the expense of other skills. He lamented that players striking out frequently but hitting home runs are celebrated as All-Stars, whereas skills like maintaining a high batting average and effective situational play have diminished in value.

Lofton has channeled his concerns into a new initiative called Sluggball, co-founded by Ruben and David Amaro. This project aims to revive interest in situational hitting rather than home runs, offering a competitive experience similar to Topgolf. Sluggball will host tournaments across the U.S., encouraging teams to engage in situational hitting challenges without the traditional fielding or running. Lofton hopes this initiative will help shift the culture back towards valuing diverse baseball skills. Additionally, he advocates for changes at the grassroots level, suggesting that rewarding players who excel in batting averages could inspire a broader change in the sport's priorities.

Major League Baseball Kenny Lofton Sluggball Ruben Amaro Situational Hitting Home Runs Baseball Trends

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively captures Kenny Lofton's perspective on the current state of baseball, focusing on his criticisms of the emphasis on home runs and his involvement with Sluggball. It accurately presents his career statistics and views, though it could benefit from additional verification of certain claims. The narrative is clear and engaging, appealing primarily to baseball fans and those interested in sports evolution. However, the lack of diverse viewpoints and detailed explanations of certain terms limits its broader appeal and impact. Overall, the article provides a solid, if somewhat one-sided, exploration of a relevant topic in the sports world.

Accuracy

The story accurately represents Kenny Lofton's career statistics, such as his .299 batting average and 622 stolen bases, aligning with verified sources. It correctly captures Lofton's views on the current emphasis on home runs and advanced metrics in baseball, which he criticizes as overshadowing situational hitting and base running. The article also accurately reports Lofton's involvement with Sluggball, a project focusing on situational hitting. However, some claims, like the specific MLB initiatives to promote base stealing, require further verification. Overall, the story is truthful and precise, but some areas need additional corroboration.

Balance

The article predominantly presents Kenny Lofton's perspective, focusing on his dissatisfaction with modern baseball trends. While it provides a thorough account of his views, it lacks alternative viewpoints from current players, MLB representatives, or analysts who might support the current emphasis on power hitting. This absence creates a slight imbalance, as the narrative leans heavily towards Lofton's criticisms without exploring the rationale or potential benefits of the current trends in baseball.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it easy for readers to follow Lofton's arguments. It logically progresses through his criticisms, his involvement with Sluggball, and his suggestions for change. The tone remains neutral and informative, contributing to a clear presentation of information. However, the article could benefit from more detailed explanations of certain baseball terms and trends for readers less familiar with the sport.

Source quality

The article relies primarily on direct quotes from Kenny Lofton, which are credible given his status as a former MLB player. However, it lacks diverse sources, such as comments from current players, coaches, or baseball analysts, which could provide a more comprehensive view of the issues discussed. The reliance on a single primary source limits the depth of the analysis and may affect the report's impartiality.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its basis, clearly attributing opinions and quotes to Kenny Lofton. However, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as Lofton's involvement with Sluggball, which could influence his opinions. Additionally, the methodology behind some claims, like the impact of current baseball trends, is not explained, leaving readers without a clear understanding of how conclusions were drawn.