Lofton was the leadoff man and centerfielder for the Cubs after Corey Patterson was hurt, and gave them something they haven't had before or since; a true leadoff man with a great on-base percentage, the ability to steal a base, score some runs, and disrupt a pitcher's game plan.
In the NLDS against the Braves, Lofton stole three bases against his former team. In the NLCS against the Marlins, he certainly did his part too, hitting .323 in the seven game series.
Unfortunately, the Cubs opted not to re-sign him before the 2004 season because management reasoned that Lofton was nearing the end of his career. But while the Cubs were watching the playoffs at home the next few seasons, Lofton played in the postseason three of the next four years with the Yankees, Dodgers, and Indians.
