I feel like he and Omar Vizquel played in the wrong era. Had they come along earlier they would have been like Ashburn and Aparicio, but instead they were in an era where their positions were expected to hit more (particularly Vizquel). Vizquel did get in but there wouldn't have been any doubt previously or any need to "make a case." Lofton is close, I think he gets a little screwed by Griffey's defense being a little overrated or, if you look at it more broadly, the favoritism toward offensive stars for Gold Gloves. But Lofton was a better fielder, he set the table well and he could really run. He's not on Griffey's level of HOF candidacy, I get that, but someone who was so much his peer at the position and accomplished a lot (and won a lot) seems to be a pretty solid candidate.