Jeff Kent Is Headed to Cooperstown After Era Committee Vote

On Sunday, Jeff Kent, the all-time home run leader among second basemen, achieved a significant milestone by being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The modern baseball era committee endorsed Kent, 57, receiving 14 out of 16 votes—two more than the required threshold for induction. In contrast, notable candidates like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and MVPs Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy fell short of the necessary support, with Bonds and Clemens linked to performance-enhancing drug controversies, rendering their Hall prospects contentious. As a result of Sunday’s vote, they face a more significant risk of exclusion from baseball's highest honor.Kent, whose illustrious career spanned 17 seasons concluding in 2008, showcased his talent with six teams, most notably the Giants, where he was a five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP. He established a career record with 377 home runs, including 351 as a second baseman. Kent now joins the prestigious ranks of 62 Giants players enshrined in Cooperstown, New York.