23
2009
Is Jeff Kent A Hall Of Famer?
An article by 
With the retirement of second baseman Jeff Kent now a thing of the past, the argument now shifts to his credentials for the Hall Of Fame.
In my opinion, he is not only worthy of the Hall of Fame, but he should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. What sets him apart from the tainted numbers of other sluggers in his era, was Kent’s vehement opposition to steroids.
Let’s look at what some in the media are saying about Jeff Kent this morning.
Rob Neyer, ESPN – When I wrinkle my nose, I smell a second baseman who hit more home runs than any other second baseman has ever hit. I smell a second baseman who drove in 100 runs in eight different seasons (no other second baseman has done that), and I smell a second baseman who, though he didn’t run particularly well, scored 100 runs in three different seasons. I also see a second baseman who, while not a brilliant defender, was actually pretty good with the glove; good enough, anyway, to still be playing the position regularly at the age of 40 (and for a first-place team, no less).
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN – As Kent formally announces his retirement Thursday at Dodger Stadium, his abrasive personality will take a back seat to the accomplishments that make him plaque-worthy. His 351 home runs as a second baseman are 74 more than Ryne Sandberg hit at the position, and he ranks second all-time in RBIs among second basemen to Nap Lajoie. And here’s the ultimate twist: While Bonds is scheduled to appear first on the Hall of Fame ballot, his former teammate, antagonist and verbal sparring partner might very well beat him to the steps of Cooperstown.
Bill Price, Daily News – Kent was never a great fielder. He had to hide somewhere and most teams chose to put him at second base. Also, Kent played in the steroids era, so all of the numbers from that time have to be judged on some sort of scale. 600 homers may have to be the new 500 homers. And while Kent’s numbers may have gotten him into the Hall of Fame 10 years ago, they are comparable to several other players who will be retiring soon or have already retired and likely won’t ever get in. Albert Belle has more homers (381) than Kent. Is he a Hall of Famer?
Tony DeMarco, The Examiner – Kent is a five time All-Star and 2000 NL MVP. His primary career numbers: .290, 377 home runs, 1,518 RBI, .356 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage. He will get no Hall of Fames votes for personality, and at times even was a divisive clubhouse force — whether it was battling with Barry Bonds in San Francisco or questioning the integrity of younger teammates in Los Angeles. His candidacy could be a prolonged one. The numbers are borderline for most positions, but are among the top handful all-time for second baseman, although it must be noted that his career ran concurrent with the steroids/offensive explosion era.
Dave Sheinin, Washington Post – Without doing a whole lot of number-crunching here, I’m inclined to say Kent is deserving of election to Cooperstown in five years. He was certainly one of the dominant second basemen of his era, along with Roberto Alomar and Craig Biggio. And his candidacy will be largely defined by the fact he holds the all-time record for homers by a second baseman, with 351, or 74 more than Ryne Sandberg.
What do you guys think?
And one more thing, what team’s cap does he wear?
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 19 | .578 | 0.5 |
| Mets | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Marlins | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Phillies | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 |
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Of course he is a hall of famer….but not as a Met. He will be wearing a SF Giants hat. He really wasn’t that great of a player until he went there.
Absolutely. He should wear a Giants hat.
His fielding was awful at the end of his career but about average or slightly better than average during his prime years. The guy who compares Kent to Albert Belle is a moron – one was a corner OF and one was a 2B. Too many voters fail to take position into account.
Not only is he a first ballot hall of famer but he can step right in now and do a better job than Luis Castillo – no doubt.
Kent can thank one of the top 3 players ever…Barry Bonds for his lofty numbers. Minus Bonds, he had 2 years with 100 RBI’s.
Before going to San Fransisco, he never drove in 100 runs…and he also didn’t deserve that MVP award….that was a protest vote against Bonds.
Just like the Mo Vaughn/Albert Belle situation. Belle deserved the MVP but the media liked Mo more.
In THIS DAY and AGE….Kent is an average player at best. Not Hall of Fame worthy in my opinion.
Are they going to start letting every mutt and Jeff into the H.O.F.?
If Gil Hodges is not in…Kent doesn’t belong either.
Joe McIlvaine was the Mets GM and Steve Phillips was the Assistant GM when Jeff Kent was traded to Cleveland in 1996. So maybe we should ask McIlvaine and Phillips their opinions of Kent’s Hall of Fame qualifications! Will they admit they made a terrible decision?
Let’s remember that it was Phillips who brought to the Mets many players with large contracts who were poor performers: Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Pedro Astacio, Bobby Bonilla, and Rickey Henderson. So maybe his decision doesn’t make it ‘case closed,’ one way or another.
Good luck, Jeff!!!
hands dwon lock for the hall of fame… likely as a giant
First Ballot ABSOLUTELY. One of the top 4 2nd Basemen to play the the game ever. he will be going in the HOF as a SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS.
Kent will absolutely be a HOFer, but as far as first ballot, I think it is going to depend who else is on it.
He most likely will go in. I’ve never been a big fan of Kent. Great player for his time. But HALL OF FAME? There have only been a handful of guys to be elevated to that lofty position. Is Kent one of them? Yes…and no.
He was an above average player in a power era…but I’m not sure HOF. The HOF is supposed to be The Best of The Best. Just the thought of Jeff Kent being alongside other 2bman like Hornsby, Lajoie and Frisch is hard to accept.
Rob,
Hornsby and Lajoie are 2 of the best 2B of all time, up there with Morgan. To make the HOF you don’t have to be as good as the BEST 2B of all time. Kent was better than Frisch, statistically. He’s also better than Sandberg and a lot of the other 2B in the Hall already. Kent is a first ballot HOF’er.
Kent will make the Hall of Fame, but mainly because he was a second baseman. Had he played the majority of his career in the outfield, I don’t think he’d make it…certainly not on the first ballot.
I think Kent will make the Hall (as an Astro)… but I don’t know if it will be first-ballot or not. He seems to have made some enemies in the press. Just read this article:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers25-2009jan25,0,1111653.column