Kenny Lofton threw out the first pitch ahead of Game 1 of the Indians’ World Series against the Chicago Cubs in Cleveland but he almost didn’t make it there.
The Indians legend apparently was trying to take a red-eye flight out of Los Angeles ahead of Tuesday’s game, when restaurant owner and Cleveland fan Ken Kostal heard Lofton saying he might not be able to be seated on the flight, which was delayed and overbooked. Kostal knew the outfielder had a job to do at Game 1, per WITI-TV in Milwaukee, so he did what any superfan would do.
“When he got closer, you know, he had some type of ticket but it obviously wasn’t the right ticket and me being a Cleveland fan I said, ‘I’ll give you my ticket’ and he looked at me and said, ‘I might take you up on it,'” Kostal said.
Kostal gave Lofton the ticket in exchange for a selfie, and Lofton ended up giving the Ohio native his card in exchange for a pen from Kostal’s restaurant. The 49-year-old also gave Kostal a shoutout on TV.
Fans thought Kostal deserved a little more for his deed, like World Series tickets, but he said he probably wouldn’t be able to go due to his restaurant obligations. However, the Indians offered Kostal tickets to Game 6, if there is one.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
