Jeff Kent was the lone player selected on the Contemporary Era ballot for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame next summer. Kent is the all-time leader in home runs by a second baseman with 377, and was a five-time All-Star and 2000 National League MVP. He won MVP that year, hitting behind Barry Bonds, who was once again denied entry, as was Roger Clemens. Other players on the ballot were Carlos Delgado, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela.
Kent enjoyed a 17-year career with the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros, and Dodgers and was a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He drove in 1,518 runs in his career and had eight consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs and 90 or more RBIs. His 123 OPS+ is seventh-best among any second baseman who played after integration. On the other hand, he was generally a poor defender, and his 55.4 career rWAR is less than second basemen like Lou Whitaker or Willie Randolph. Kent never received more than 50 percent of the vote when he was considered by the BBWAA.
Bonds and Clemens both have overwhelmingly deserving careers on the numbers, but their careers were tainted by suspicions of PED use during their careers. Each received fewer than five votes, far less than the 12 votes needed on the 16 ballots. Kent received 14 votes, with Delgado receiving nine, Mattingly and Murphy each with six, while the other candidates each received fewer than five votes. Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield, and Valenzuela will not be up for consideration again until 2031.
The voting committee included seven Hall of Fame players (Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Pérez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell and Robin Yount), two owners (Mark Attanasio and Arte Moreno), four former general managers (Doug Melvin, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins and Terry Ryan) and three media members (Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner and Jayson Stark).
The BBWAA will announce its selections for the Hall of Fame on January 26. This year’s ballot includes former Royals outfielder Carlos Beltrán.
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