Kent Elected to Hall by Contemporary Baseball Era Committee

COOPERSTOWN—Jeff Kent, the slugging infielder who totaled more home runs than any second baseman in history, earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, December 7 via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee process.

According to a press release from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Kent was one of eight candidates on the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Ballot, which was considered by a 16-member committee that held meetings on Sunday in Orlando, Florida. The ballot was comprised of player candidates whose primary contribution to the game came since 1980.

Kent was named on 14 of 16 ballots, the only candidate to reach the 75-percent threshold necessary for election.

Kent, 57, 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 Tuesday, January 20.

A Southern California native who grew up in Huntington Beach, Kent played 17 seasons for the Blue Jays, Mets, Indians, Giants, Astros and Dodgers. A five-time All-Star who earned four starting assignments in the Midsummer Classic, Kent totaled 377 home runs—including a record 351 while playing second base. He reached the 20-home run mark in 12 seasons and totaled eight campaigns with at least 100 RBI.

A four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Kent was named the 2000 National League Most Valuable Player and finished in the Top 10 of the NL MVP voting in three other years. He appeared in postseason play in seven different years and helped the Giants—with whom he spent six of his 17 big league seasons—capture the 2002 National League pennant.

Hall of Fame Weekend 2026 will be held July 24-27 in Cooperstown, officials said.