Giants’ Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame, Bonds and Clemens Shut Out of Next Era

The San Francisco Giants officially have their 62nd franchise player in the Hall of Fame. The most prolific second baseman home run hitter in baseball history, Jeff Kent, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday with 87.5% of the vote from the Contemporary Era Committee. As much as Kent’s honors were rewarded, two franchise legends’ contributions were not. All-time home run leader Barry Bonds and 354-game winner Roger Clemens were among the noteworthy names that didn’t earn enough votes on the ballots.

In fact, they were named on fewer than five, while Kent was on 14 of 16 ballots, which is two more than the requirement. However, that subjects Bonds, Clemens, Gary Sheffield, and Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela – the latter two also receiving fewer than five – to the new rule that eliminates players who draw five or fewer votes from future consideration the next time their era cycle is considered. They won’t be eligible until the subsequent cycle – where that same eligibility threshold will apply.

Here is the full story from Giants Roundtable writer on Anthony Arroyo on Kent’s accomplishment and the simultaneous elimination of other candidacies.

The reason that Bonds and Clemens have such controversial candidacies is due to their association with PEDs. They are one cycle away from being permanently excluded from the Hall of Fame, which will be in 2031. But for Kent, his wait is over. The 57-year-old second baseman spent 17 years in the MLB on six different teams, including San Francisco. He has 377 career home runs, in addition to holding that record for the most home runs ever by a second baseman.

Kent had appeared on the ballot of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) for 10 years. However, the Contemporary Era Committee was created to look for missed second chances for players just like Kent.