Jeff Kent
| Birthdate | 03/07/1968 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1992 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Astros, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Mets |
| Positions | First Base, Second Base |
The NL MVP in 2000, Jeff Kent is the all-time leader in home runs by a second baseman, a five-time All Star and four-time Silver Slugger.
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Jeff Kent has more homers than any second baseman in MLB history
Jeff Kent has more homers than any second baseman in MLB history
A 20th-round pick of the Blue Jays in the 1989 draft, Jeff Kent enjoyed a 17-year big league career. He broke in with Toronto in 1992 after almost 350 minor league games. In his second season, Kent was an All Star and slugged 21 homers. The second baseman slugged 21 homers and tallied 80 RBI in his second season.
In 1997 Kent hit his stride with the Giants. Hitting in the lineup with Barry Bonds helped Kent become one of baseball’s most productive middle infielders.
From 1997-2002 Kent averaged 29 homers and 115 per season in San Francisco. His OPS+ during those six years was 136. Kent made 3 All Star teams, earned a pair of Silver Slugger Awards, and received support in MVP balloting four times with the Giants.
Kent’s finest season came in 2000. He recorded a career-high 196 hits and finished with 33 homers, 125 RBI. Kent hit .334 with a .424 on-base percentage. His OPS was 1.021. He was voted the league’s MVP.
The second baseman left San Francisco for Houston as a free agent after the ’02 campaign. Kent still had plenty left in the tank. In his final six seasons – two in Houston and four in Los Angeles – Kent hit 124 more homers and drove in 511 runs.
Kent finished as the all time home run leader among men at his position. His career totals include 2,461 hits, 560 doubles, 377 homers, 1,518 RBI, a .500 slugging percentage and a 123 OPS+. Many believe his omission in Cooperstown should be rectified.
In the collection is this contract between Kent and Topps Chewing Gum. Kent was a veteran of 102 big league games when he signed this on February 24, 1993.
Although I don’t like Pete Rose never did like him, but this man should be in the Hall of Fame so he Gamble, so what he didn’t gamble against his old team he didn’t throw any baseball game he played the game and he was tough. He is a Hall of famer.