Jeff Kent elected to Baseball Hall of Fame by Contemporary Era Committee
DECEMBER 7, 2025 — Jeff Kent, a former National League MVP who hit more home runs than any second baseman in baseball history, earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Ballot was considered by a 16-member committee — including SABR members Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner, and Jayson Stark — that held meetings in Orlando, Florida. The eight-person ballot was comprised of candidates whose primary contributions to the game came since 1980. Kent was named on 14 of 16 ballots as the only finalist to reach the 75-percent threshold necessary for election.
Kent finished a 17-year career with 377 home runs, 1,518 RBIs, five All-Star Game appearances, four Silver Slugger Awards, and the 2000 NL MVP Award. He is one of just four second basemen to hit 30 or more homers three times and the only second baseman to drive in 100 runs in eight seasons. He helped lead the San Francisco Giants to the 2002 World Series and also played in the postseason with the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Click here to read Kent’s biography at the SABR BioProject.
Kent will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, which will be announced on January 20, 2026.
Click here to read the full announcement at BaseballHall.org.
Originally published: December 8, 2025. Last Updated: December 8, 2025.