A Road Well Traveled

Outfielder Kenny Lofton signed as a free agent with the Dodgers in December. Swingman Jim Jackson signed as a free agent with the Lakers in March.

The common bond, beyond their long and successful careers? They have played for 23 teams since making it to the top level of their sports.

Lofton, 38, broke in with the Houston Astros in 1991 and is playing for his 11th team in 16 seasons. Jackson, 35, began his NBA career in 1992-93 with the Dallas Mavericks and is playing with his 12th team in 14 seasons.

They recently talked with The Times about their well-traveled careers.

Question: What city do you like returning to the least?

Lofton: I can’t decide between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Philadelphia because their fans boo the home team. Pittsburgh because the fans don’t come out. It’s OK for the opposing team, but I don’t like it.

Jackson: Portland. It rains too much. I like the city but it just rains too much.

Q: Who’s the best coach you’ve ever played for?

Lofton: Dusty Baker because he’s a personable manager. Everybody says he’s a player’s manager, and he is, but it’s more than that. He cares about you as an individual, and he’s that way with everyone. He’ll treat a rookie the same as a veteran.

Here’s what I mean: He brings food to guys from other cities. He’ll remember what you like and get it for you.

Jackson: That’s kind of tough. There’s different reasons. John Calipari was great for me from an offensive standpoint because he let me play point forward and do a lot of different things. Pat Riley, from a discipline standpoint, as far as the mental approach to the game, was very good too.

Q: Which uniforms were the ugliest, the best looking?

Lofton: The Astros’. I remember those loud stripes. They were the ugliest. The best? It’s a tie between Cleveland and the Cubs. With the Cubs, it was sentimental because I grew up in Chicago and wearing that uniform was something I always wanted to do.

Jackson: I haven’t been on a team where we had [ugly ones]. I got to Houston after they got rid of their ugly uniforms. Phoenix, the orange, was the best ones.”

Q: Where’s the best court for shooting, or stadium for batting?

Lofton: Cleveland, Colorado and Arizona. It’s all about vision. In those parks, they have big backgrounds in center field and you can see the ball well. It’s all ball. In some other parks, the ball is coming out of the seats and you have a hard time seeing.

Jackson: Sacramento. The atmosphere and everything about it. It’s closed in so you don’t have a lot of space behind the backboard.

Q: Where are the most rabid fans?

Lofton: Cleveland, when I was there and we were winning. Yeah, I’ve got to say Cleveland. In ‘94, oh my goodness. Those people were supportive. Also Chicago because the Cub fans are always with you.

Jackson: Sacramento, as far as every game, every time when we were there. It was incredible. Deep in the playoffs, the cowbells ringing, things like that. It was incredible.

Q: Where are the most uninterested fans?

Lofton: Pittsburgh. There just weren’t many.

Jackson: Atlanta. You could here a ball drop, a pin drop, everything. Fans dressed up like seats.

Q: What team had the best atmosphere in the clubhouse?

Lofton: Cleveland. It was fun and exciting there, that’s all I can say. It was so much fun. When you hear about the clubhouse being your second home, that’s what it meant. In Cleveland, it was our second home.

Jackson: Combination of Sacramento and Phoenix. I would say those two mirror each other, as far as the camaraderie on the two teams.

Q: Who’s the one player you’ve played with you would want to have on your team?

Lofton: Barry Bonds. I’ve got to say that. He’s so dominant, and he’s one guy who can talk trash and back it up.

Jackson: Steve Nash, because of what he does. If you look at the Phoenix Suns, guys are having their career-high and there’s one reason why. It’s their game, but a lot has to do with Steve.

Q: If you could have had a career in one city, which one would it have been?

Lofton: L.A. I’ve always wanted to play in L.A. I just like it here. I knew when I was going to [the University of Arizona] and studying [broadcasting] that L.A. was eventually a place I was going to be.

Jackson: I’m biased toward Dallas. I still have a place in Dallas. I love the city. Great business atmosphere, the city is great. I made a lot of great contacts. That’s where I want to retire to.

Q: How much of your belongings are still packed in boxes?

Lofton: Not as much as there used to be. I still have storage in Arizona and here, where I have my houses. I had stuff in boxes in Atlanta and Cleveland, but not anymore. Maybe I’m settling in.

Jackson: A lot. I keep a travel pack with me.