Major League Baseball

Indians fan gives up plane seat so Lofton makes World Series

Published Oct. 26, 2016 9:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

MARBLEHEAD, Ohio (AP) A longtime Cleveland Indians fan says he didn't think twice about giving up his plane seat to make sure former outfielder Kenny Lofton arrived in time to throw out the ceremonial first pitch as this year's World Series began.

Ken Kostal, of Marblehead, says he was waiting to board a delayed flight from Los Angeles to Cleveland early Tuesday when he recognized Lofton, the speedy outfielder Kostal had watched as a season ticket holder in the 1990s. When he overheard Lofton saying he wasn't sure he'd get a seat on the plane, Kostal offered his seat, and a gate agent made the ticket swap.

He also snapped a selfie with Lofton, who did get to Cleveland and throw the first pitch before his old team beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0.