For Jeff Kent, who celebrated his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, ending his career in Los Angeles was a fitting final chapter of a legendary, 17-season story.
Kent grew up in Huntington Beach, and when he signed with the Dodgers on a two-year contract (which was later extended for two more seasons), he viewed it as a chance to spend more time with his family in Southern California.
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“It was a great opportunity because I was going back home,” Kent told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I grew up in Southern California. I bought front row tickets for my parents to come to the games every day and watch me play. So, the two years led to four years in L.A. It was Southern California, great weather, good fans, I got to go home where I grew up a few times.”
Kent, who won the National League MVP award in 2000 while playing with the Giants, hit 75 home runs as a member of the Dodgers, averaging .291/.367/.479 over his final four seasons, cementing himself as a player worthy of landing in Cooperstown.
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“I knew that that was it for me,” Kent said on his final chapter in Los Angeles. “That was a great cap to the end of my career. I got to play for Torre, a great manager in Joe Torre. I got to finish out with Nomar Garciaparra … [Greg] Maddux and Orel Hershiser. Guys that I watched play, guys that frustrated the hell out of me in Maddux. And I just realized that there was nothing else I needed to do.”
Kent totaled more home runs than any second baseman in MLB history and was the only of eight candidates on the Contemporary Baseball Era Ballot to reach the 75-percent voting threshold necessary for election.
The 57-year-old will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 by any electees who are named by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, which will be announced in June.d
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2 Responses
I’ve mixed feelings about Kent. He certainly had an outstanding career with the Dodgers, among others. But is he really HOF worthy? His numbers seem marginal, on the edge. From what I’ve read, he was a prickly sort to outsiders during his career. Not on the level of Barry Bonds, but not a nice guy. Never met the guy so this is just what I’ve read. But if you’re on the edge, I can see personality and how you treat others making a difference. And I for one don’t have a problem with it.
Regardless, congrats to Kent!
Kent was a good Dodger. Congrats to him. He will always be a favorite of mine for getting in Bonds’ grill. I hope he E-mails Barroid a picture of his HOF plaque.