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Too little too late for San Francisco Giants star Jeff Kent

By David Hill

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 14: Second baseman Jeff Kent #21 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base during game five of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 14, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 2-1 and the series 4-1. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 14: Second baseman Jeff Kent #21 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base during game five of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 14, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 2-1 and the series 4-1. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Former San Francisco Giants star Jeff Kent is finally starting to get some traction for the Hall of Fame. The problem is that it is coming far too late to matter.

On Monday, C. Trent Rosencrans from The Athletic revealed his Hall of Fame ballot. He voted for ten players, with Bobby Abreu, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent, and Billy Wagner joining the six players he voted for on his previous ballot. With this ballot, Kent has now gained 25 votes from the BBWAA and has crossed the 50% mark.

Former San Francisco Giants star Jeff Kent finally getting deserved votes

Normally, Kent gaining that much ground would be a cause for celebration. He is finally getting the attention he deserves and is moving closer to the Hall of Fame. The problem is that this is his final year on the ballot and while he is approaching that magical 75% mark, he is going to run out of time.

From a raw statistical standpoint, Kent deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He had produced a .290/.356/.500 batting line over his 17 year career, belting 377 homers and 560 doubles. A five time All Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent holds the record for the most homers by a second baseman in MLB history. He certainly has the resume and production for immortality.

Instead, Kent has struggled to get any traction for the Hall. He did not cross the 20% threshold until his seventh year on the ballot and just reached 30% a year later. His surly attitude and lack of friendliness with reporters have not helped as the writers have taken their personal grievances out on him with the ballot.

At this point, Kent’s best bet will be to be inducted by the Veteran’s Committee. Even that may be a long shot for the foreseeable future after the number of players on that ballot was slashed and the backlog that has been kicked down the road due to players tainted by PEDs. Kent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame but that may not happen.

Next. Breaking down the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot. dark

Former San Francisco Giants star Jeff Kent is finally getting some traction for the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, it has come far too late to matter.

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