Jeff Kent retires ... is he a HOFer?

austinchau · January 21, 2009 4:55AM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/01/21/kent.retires.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

Jeff Kent to announce retirement after 17 seasons

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jeff Kent plans to announce his retirement from baseball on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Kent spent 17 years in the major leagues and leaves as the career home-run leader among second basemen with 351, 74 more than Ryne Sandberg.

He spent the last four seasons with the Dodgers, hitting .291 with 122 doubles, 75 homers and 311 RBIs. Los Angeles issued a statement Wednesday announcing the news conference.

A five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent hit .253 during the first half of last season, improved to .353 in August, then injured his knee on Aug. 29 and had surgery four days later. He returned to make the postseason roster, but was relegated to a bench role. He went a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts during the two playoff series and became a free agent in November.

He'll be replaced at second base by Blake DeWitt, who took over when Kent was sidelined.

Kent had a .290 career batting average, 377 homers, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage. He was drafted by Toronto in 1989 and also played for the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.

His greatest success came with the Giants, where he played with Barry Bonds. The two players had some famous run-ins, and Kent later tangled with Milton Bradley in Los Angeles. Kent was known for his intense approach to the game and he criticized players who used performance-enhancing drugs while endorsing improved testing.

He made his only World Series appearance with San Francisco in 2002, hitting three homers as the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.

In recent seasons, Kent had expressed interest in spending more time with his family, which includes four children.

larryallen73 · January 21, 2009 4:58AM

Will be close. His sour attitude may keep him on the fence.

BunchOBull · January 21, 2009 4:59AM

I don't see how he can't be...but he never did his cause any good in the popularity department.

digicat · January 21, 2009 5:01AM

He'll be a HoFer, and he'll be in as a Giant, much to the disgust of many Giants fans today.

bman90278 · January 21, 2009 5:02AM

I would think he's very close, but I agree with LarryAllen73. I heard an interview the other day with a Dodger and they asked him if the Dodgers would miss Kent and he really couldn't answer the question and they asked him a few different ways. Everything I've heard about Kent says he was a cancer to his teams and we all know how the writers are to players they don't like.

firedawg45 · January 21, 2009 5:11AM

yes..all time home run record for 2nd basemen

leathtech · January 21, 2009 5:13AM

I think he gets in but I hope it takes many many many times on the ballot. I don't dislike him but he just never seemed like a likeable player.

thehallmark · January 21, 2009 5:25AM

He undoubtedly belongs in the Hall of Most Productive Players at Their Positions During Their Eras.

The MLB Hall of Fame, on the other hand...well, I guess it depends on the degree that the personality police want to punish him.

I never rooted for Kent. But I disapprove of the HOF induction process far more than I ever disliked Jeff Kent.

Griffins · January 21, 2009 5:28AM

I"ll be happy not to see him on the field anymore. What a jerk.

baseballfan · January 21, 2009 5:31AM

he was a solid player for a long time, i think he eventually gets in

great fantasy player for 2nd base until recently

WinPitcher · January 21, 2009 5:42AM

No. The era in which he played ballooned hi stats.

I doubt he gets 25% when his time comes.

Steve

bigwilli · January 21, 2009 5:44AM

Since when is baseball or any other sport for that matter , a popularity contest .
Im a huge Chipper Jones fan and he was never known for being outgoing . Being a HOFer
should have absolutely nothing to do with anything but you performance on the field. He
should be in the HOF because he was one of the best at his position . Period

IchiroDeported · January 21, 2009 5:45AM

I think he gets more than 25%, but his stats were definitely inflated; and it helped to play with Bonds on the team. His persona was very rough around the edges and he didnt make a lot of friends; that will hurt his chances.

WinPitcher · January 21, 2009 5:47AM

Big willi since it is the writers that vote.

Steve

EchoCanyon · January 21, 2009 5:50AM

Way more than 25%.

The most HRs EVER as a 2nd base.

An MVP.

Yes, A HOFer.

bigwilli · January 21, 2009 5:53AM

I understand that but that should not be part of the voting procedure . If they cant vote objectively maybe they
need to give up there vote and let someone who will only look at the play on the field.

To take it one step further , Barry Bonds and Mark Mcgwire should be in . I dont care about all the he said , she said . Until there
is a failed test or an admitance from the player themselves they should get in . Now a failed test should keep them out of the HOF because thats is cheating!!

SlAt · January 21, 2009 5:53AM

I would rather see Trammell & Whitaker get in first, but that isn't going to happen. I personally don't think the numbers are there ( Not that I've seen them ) but if you compare him to his era, I think Roberto Alomar is the only Second Baseman getting in until possibly Pedroia.

-John

Edited: Oops, forgot Biggio.

BPorter26 · January 21, 2009 6:00AM

I don't think he is a HOF. He does have the most HR's by a 2nd baseman, but he accomplished that during the steriod era and with smaller ball parks. Kent was at best an adequate fielder. To me he was a one dimensional player. Don't get me wrong he was a good player, but to me not hall worthy

IchiroDeported · January 21, 2009 6:09AM

"Barry Bonds and Mark Mcgwire should be in . I dont care about all the he said , she said . Until there
is a failed test or an admitance from the player themselves they should get in . Now a failed test should keep them out of the HOF because thats is cheating!! "

if you dont think these two clowns cheated and used roid's HGH, and anything else they could get their hands on than your as blind as Helen Keller.

Get real. Bonds WAS a HOF'er without the roids, but the scandal that has enveloped him AND his lies to the press and to MLB, will keep him out of the hall for a long time.

McGwire probably would have been out of the game without the roids. a one dimensional player who cant own up or face the truth. I bet you any money IF he had come clean and stepped up like a man about what happened that he would have gotten a lot more votes for the HOF.

bigwilli · January 21, 2009 6:20AM

I never said whether they did them or not , i said show me a failed test , then you can positively say they are guilty. Until
then , they should get into the HOF

Terry Bradshaw admitted to using them.......dont see him getting thrown out.
HGH wasnt illegal when McGwire played

SidePocket · January 21, 2009 6:23AM

377 HRs and 1500 RBIs for a second baseman? He should get in.

RonBurgundy · January 21, 2009 6:24AM

Borderline.

Ron

digicat · January 21, 2009 6:25AM

<< I personally don't think the numbers are there ( Not that I've seen them ) but if you compare him to his era, I think Roberto Alomar is the only Second Baseman getting in until possibly Pedroia. >>

Wow, I didn't expect to see Pedroia's name show up in HoF discussions so soon! I hope he pans out, but he could also become the next Carlos Baerga.

SlAt · January 21, 2009 6:30AM

<< 

<< I personally don't think the numbers are there ( Not that I've seen them ) but if you compare him to his era, I think Roberto Alomar is the only Second Baseman getting in until possibly Pedroia. >>

Wow, I didn't expect to see Pedroia's name show up in HoF discussions so soon! I hope he pans out, but he could also become the next Carlos Baerga. >>

I know but he is pretty good, hey are you interested in 500 Baerga's.

-John

ndleo · January 21, 2009 6:32AM

Kent may get in, but he won't get in first ballot and may have to wait a while like Rice did. No matter what we think, the HOF is a popularity contest among the writers.

Ryno got in first ballot, which to me wasn't deserved. Compare his stats to Lou Whitaker. Ryno gets in first time, I think Lou didn't get 5% this year and is off the ballot.

Ryno - .285, 282 HR, 1318 R, 1061 RBI, 344 SB. 1 MVP, 10-time All Star, 9 Gold Gloves
Lou - .276, 244 HR, 1386 R, 1084 RBI, 143 SB. 1 ROY, 5-time All Star, 3 Gold Gloves.

Plus Lou was a key member of a WS champion team.

billwaltonsbeard · January 21, 2009 6:33AM

His mustache is already in the Porn HOF.

Estil · January 21, 2009 6:36AM

I never really thought of Mr. Kent as much of a HOFer, and though his 1500 RBIs is impressive, the rest of his stats don't add up. Sorry.

digicat · January 21, 2009 6:38AM

<< I know but he is pretty good, hey are you interested in 500 Baerga's. >>

The winters in California aren't cold enough for me to need to burn stuff. Thanks though.

onebamafan · January 21, 2009 6:44AM

YES>>>>>>>>>

bigwilli · January 21, 2009 8:16AM

Obviously you cant conpare the 2 but Jeff Kent has more RBI's then Mickey Mantle...didnt know that

6 years in a row with 100 or more RBI's.

Pretty impressive numbers when you look closely

And the porn stache is a +.....

swartz1 · January 21, 2009 8:50AM

yes...

Goot · January 21, 2009 9:30AM

I say it'll take him a few times but he'll probably get in eventually.

He seemed like a nice guy at Dodgers Spring Training last year. He had his kids with him and was encouraging people to take pics of him and his kids playing and signed autos for everyone. However, that was probably because his family was there....

julen23 · January 21, 2009 9:40AM

barry owes him a MVP, in addition to all the other great things he did.

so yes, he deserves HOF

j

larryallen73 · January 21, 2009 9:45AM

If yes, as a Giant or as a Met?

bman90278 · January 21, 2009 10:28AM

<< 
He seemed like a nice guy at Dodgers Spring Training last year. He had his kids with him and was encouraging people to take pics of him and his kids playing and signed autos for everyone. However, that was probably because his family was there.... >>

Goot, that's really cool! I personally think that's very important when stars or athletes act nice to their fans. One thing people seem to forget, is the fact that many HOF players were not liked by their team members. I've heard many stories about some of the greats who were hated.

I think he gets in after a couple of attempts.

brian

TJMAC · January 21, 2009 10:31AM

I think Kent should make the Hall of Fame. He played a normally weak offensive position and was the middle of the order hitter on some pretty good offensive teams - Giants and Astros. He won an MVP and is the all time leader for home runs at 2nd base. He also was not linked to performance enhancers. A couple of downsides would bes no World Series ring and how he is perceived by the media. He is not a first ballot Hall of Famer, but should get in.

I think he goes in as a Giant.

DrJ · January 21, 2009 10:59AM

Roberto Alomar should make it in before Kent. He was the best 2B of his era, and a better all around player.

ElToroLoco · January 21, 2009 12:35PM

I've never seen Jeff Kent as a HOF caliber player. It was mutually beneficial for Kent and Bonds to be in the same lineup. He may get in somewhere down the road, but not before Alomar does.

wheatfields · January 21, 2009 2:34PM

When Kent hit the record setting HR for 2nd Basemen, is that ball in the HOF? Maybe something else like the jersey or the bat he used?
It will be awhile for him to get in. Eligible for HOF in 2014, will get in 2024.
BTW that stache is awesome and HOF 1st ballot if there is a stache HOF.

rube26105 · January 21, 2009 3:02PM

i honestly have never heard of jeff kent

MBMiller25 · January 21, 2009 10:17PM

Ide say you have to put Kent into the HOF even though I cant stand him. His defense was awful, but he has the most HR by any 2B ever, a .500 career slugging pct and 1500+ RBI, as a second baseman, those all set the bar for 2B.

leathtech · January 22, 2009 5:36AM

I like Kent more after reading an article on ESPN... I respect him more now for standing up to Bonds (quote from Teammate Ellis Burks on how Kent would get into it with Bonds):

"But sometimes Barry would say something and Jeff would say, 'Jesus, Barry, shut the [bleep] up.' Barry never had anybody talk to him like that, and I think it surprised him. Jeff didn't take any crap from anybody."

TJMAC · January 22, 2009 6:35AM

I always liked Jeff Kent. He was a very underrated player.

Jeff Kent retires ... is he a HOFer?

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