The Cleveland Guardians have another Hall of Famer. And while most people talked about those who didn’t make the cut, it’s only right that they also show some love for those who did get in.
Jeff Kent, the league’s record-holder for the most home runs by a second baseman, just made the cut. The 57-year-old was included in 14 of 16 ballots by the contemporary baseball era committee, as shared by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He would’ve gotten in with just 12 votes. The legendary second baseman spent 17 years in the majors, playing for six different teams.
He retired in 2008, and while he was on the BBWAA ballot every year since he became eligible, he never got past the 46.5 percent of votes he needed to get the nod.
“Welcome to Cooperstown, Jeff Kent!” the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum posted on X.
Kent was a five-time All-Star and was even named NL MVP back in 2000 after logging 33 home runs, 125 RBI, and posting a career-best .334. He hit 351 home runs as a second baseman and 377 overall. He played for the Guardians, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Notably, Kent got the nod over other legends of the game, the often controversial Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Fernando Valenzuela, Gary Sheffield, Don Mattingly, and Dale Murphy also failed to get the nod. There has been a long-standing debate about their cases.
While they’re objectively two of the greatest players of all time – Bonds might even be the greatest to ever do it – their ties to PEDs have all but killed their chances, and it’s hard to believe that will ever change.
NEXT: Guardians Outfielder Expected To Draw Heavy Free Agency Interest
