TOKYO – When Kenny Lofton makes his Yankees’ debut tomorrow, one of history’s premier leadoff hitters will be batting last. And if Bernie Williams were healthy, there is a good chance Lofton wouldn’t even be in the lineup.
When Joe Torre announced his Opening Day lineup against the Devil Rays he didn’t mention Lofton’s name until the ninth spot.
“At this point he is not where he wants to be,” Torre said of the 36-year-old Lofton, who signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal this past winter with the idea he would bat first and play center field. “He needs to get more consistent at-bats, he is hitting a lot of balls in the air.”
Torre will lead Derek Jeter off and follow with Hideki Matsui.
Had Lofton displayed more life in his bat and body, Torre wouldn’t have been inclined to move him. However, going into last night’s game against the Hanshin Tigers, Lofton was batting .174 (8-for-46).
Lofton, a 12-year veteran and career .298 hitter, didn’t go ballistic. However, he wasn’t happy.
“I am a leadoff hitter, that’s all I can say,” Lofton said.
Since veterans usually don’t have to prove much in spring training outside that they are healthy, Lofton was asked if his track record should have been considered more than a paltry batting average.
“I feel that way, but I am not the manager,” Lofton said. “I am not a spring training player. I have never hit above .200. Yes, it was a shock. I am not the manager, he makes the decisions. I can’t take the pen out of his hand. The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Asked about the theory that hitting ninth simply cost the batter one less at-bat compared to the leadoff guy, Lofton quickly said, “I am a leadoff hitter. That’s all I can say.”
As for Williams, he continues to work back from a Feb. 26 appendectomy. The Yankees won’t make a decision on putting him on the DL until they return to Tampa and see how his progress in minor league games is developing.