Jeff Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff Kent |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Kent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008
|
|||
| Second baseman | |||
| Born: March 7, 1968 Bellflower, California, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| April 12, 1992, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 2008, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .290 | ||
| Hits | 2,461 | ||
| Home runs | 377 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,518 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a second baseman, a player who fields between first and second base. Jeff Kent played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1992 to 2008. He played for six different teams during his career.
Kent won the National League MVP award in 2000. He is known as the player with the most home runs ever hit by a second baseman. He also had 90 or more runs batted in (RBI) each year from 1997 to 2005. Kent was chosen as an All-Star five times. His 560 career doubles rank him among the top players of all time.
Before playing professionally, Kent went to the University of California, Berkeley. He played college baseball there for the Golden Bears. The Toronto Blue Jays picked him in the 1989 MLB draft.
Contents
Early Life and College Baseball
Jeff Kent was born in Bellflower, California. He went to Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California. In high school, he played baseball but had some disagreements with his coach.
He played college baseball at UC Berkeley from 1987 to 1989. In 1988, he played in the College World Series. He also played summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Major Leagues
The Toronto Blue Jays chose Jeff Kent in the 20th round of the 1989 MLB Draft. After three years playing in the minor leagues, he joined the Blue Jays for spring training in 1992. He made the team's opening day roster.
Kent played his first MLB game on April 12, 1992. He got his first hit, a double, in his very first time at bat. A few days later, he hit his first home run. An injury to another player helped Kent get more playing time early in his career.
Playing for the New York Mets
In August 1992, Kent was traded to the New York Mets. This trade helped the Blue Jays win the 1992 World Series. Even though he was traded, Kent still received a World Series ring.
While with the Mets, Kent played well, especially for a second baseman. However, the Mets were not a very strong team at that time. Kent was also known for having a quick temper in the clubhouse.
Time with the Cleveland Indians
In 1996, the Mets traded Kent to the Cleveland Indians. He was traded again the next offseason to the San Francisco Giants. This trade was not popular with Giants fans at first. It sent a popular player, Matt Williams, to the Indians. The Giants' general manager, Brian Sabean, had to defend his decision to the media.
Becoming a Star with the San Francisco Giants
Jeff Kent's career really took off when he joined the San Francisco Giants in 1997. He played alongside superstar Barry Bonds. With the support of manager Dusty Baker, Kent reached his full potential.
In 1997, he hit 29 home runs and had 121 RBI. He continued to be one of the best RBI hitters in the league for the next five years. He had 689 RBI during his six years with the Giants. In 2000, Kent won the National League MVP Award. He hit 33 home runs, had 125 RBI, and a .334 batting average. Even though Barry Bonds was also a great player, Kent's important hits in key situations helped the Giants win many games. The Giants finished first in their division that year.
In 2002, Kent had another excellent year. He hit 37 home runs and had 108 RBI. Kent and Bonds helped the Giants reach the 2002 World Series. They almost won the championship but lost in seven games.
During this time, Kent's relationship with the Giants became difficult. He broke his wrist during spring training, which caused some issues. There were also some disagreements between Kent and his teammate Barry Bonds.
Moving to the Houston Astros
In 2003, Kent signed a two-year contract with the Houston Astros. He wanted to be closer to his family's ranch in Texas.
On August 19, 2004, Kent was part of a triple play. This is a rare play where three players are put out in one continuous action. It was the Astros' first triple play in 13 years.
From May 14 to June 11, 2004, Kent got a hit in 25 games in a row. This set a new record for the Astros team. On October 2, 2004, he hit his 288th home run as a second baseman. This made him the all-time home run leader for that position. In the 2004 National League Championship Series, Kent hit a game-winning home run in Game 5. However, the Astros lost the series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Finishing His Career with the Los Angeles Dodgers
.jpg)
On December 14, 2004, Jeff Kent signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was his hometown team. He was chosen to start at second base for the National League in the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was his fifth All-Star selection.
Kent had a strong 2005 season with the Dodgers. He led the team in many hitting categories, including batting average, home runs, and RBI. He helped the Dodgers reach the postseason in 2006. Kent played his last major league game on October 15, 2008. He announced his retirement from baseball on January 22, 2009.
Career Statistics Overview
In his 17 seasons, Jeff Kent played in 2,298 games. He had a .290 batting average. He collected 2,461 hits, 560 doubles, and 377 home runs. He also had 1,518 RBI.
Kent hit 351 home runs while playing as a second baseman. This is the most in MLB history for that position. He is one of only two second basemen to hit over 300 home runs.
After Baseball: Life and Activities
After retiring from baseball, Jeff Kent and his wife, Dana, live near Austin, Texas. They have four children. Kent also owns a large cattle ranch called "Diamond K" in Texas. He also owns a chain of motorcycle and ATV dealerships called Kent Powersports.
In 2009, Kent appeared on a TV show called Superstars. He teamed up with actress Ali Landry for sports competitions. In 2012, Kent was a contestant on Survivor: Philippines, a reality TV show. He was the ninth person voted off the island.
Kent has been involved in supporting baseball. Since 2011, he has worked as a spring training instructor for the San Francisco Giants. He also coaches his sons' Little League teams. In 2014, he became a volunteer coach for Southwestern University's baseball team. Kent has also donated money to help the Cal baseball program continue. He also created a scholarship for female student-athletes at UC Berkeley.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
Jeff Kent became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. Players need 75% of the votes to be chosen. In his first year, he received 15.2% of the votes. His support grew over the years, reaching 46.5% in 2023, his final year on the ballot. He did not get enough votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Some reasons given were his defense and his reputation in the locker room.
Personal Life
Jeff Kent and his wife, Dana, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their daughter, Lauren, and eldest son, Hunter, both went to Brigham Young University (BYU). Hunter also played on the practice squad for the BYU Cougars.
Kent's son, Colton, played high school baseball in Austin, Texas. He also played college baseball. Kent's other son, Kaeden, currently plays baseball at Texas A&M University.
Major Accomplishments
- Five-time All-Star (1999–2001, 2004–05)
- Four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2002, 2005)
- National League MVP (2000)
- All-time leader in home runs as a second baseman (377)
- Only second baseman with 100 or more RBIs in six seasons in a row (1997–2002)
- Hit for the cycle (1999)
See also
In Spanish: Jeff Kent para niños
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players who hit for the cycle
