Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB: The Evolution of the Lead-off Hitter

By s.a. rose

Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB: World Series-Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians
MLB: World Series-Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Indians /

Leading off in the 1990s

The trend was for centerfielders to lead off, get on base, be a league leader in stolen bases and play high caliber defense.  Here are three of the most memorable from the era.

Brady Anderson – what do people remember about Brady Anderson?  Perfectly squared sideburns that would put teen idols Brandon and Dylan to shame and that he had a fifty home run season in 1996, sandwiched between seasons with 16 home runs and 18 home runs.    Anderson, who finished 9th in 1996 in the MVP voting with 50 HR, 110 RBI, 21 SB and OPS a hundredth of a point higher than Albert Belle that season, was the catalyst for a team that went to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons as new owner Peter Angelos spent on stars of the day in order to win.

Darin Erstad – the former Nebraska Cornhusker punter was selected first overall by the then California Angels in the 1995 draft.  He was with the big club the next season playing Gold Glove level defense nearly every season in center field and getting on-base.  His style of play was not that of an über-talented first pick overall – his uniform was typically the dirtiest.

Kenny Lofton – the former University of Arizona point guard, had a career OBP of .372 and had five consecutive seasons in the decade where he stole between 54 and 75 bases.  While not hitting a lot of home runs, Lofton often influenced the game for Cleveland either with his glove (4 golden gloves) or for his hitting and base-running.

Honorable Mention – Devon White

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