Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a former MVP winner. The position of the second baseman Second base redirects here. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) East Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Toronto Blue Jays (1977–present) Other nicknames The Jays Ballpark Rogers Centre (1989–present) a. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... “RBI” redirects here. ... In baseball statistics, on base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on base average (OBA)) is a measure of how often a batter gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball statistics, slugging average (SLG) is a measure of the power of a hitter. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) East Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Toronto Blue Jays (1977–present) Other nicknames The Jays Ballpark Rogers Centre (1989–present) a. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1992 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league... The following are the baseball events of the year 1992 throughout the world. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1996 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 5, 14, 18, 19, 21, 42, 455 Name Cleveland Indians (1915–present) Cleveland Naps (1905-1914) Cleveland Bronchos (1902-1904) Cleveland Blues (1901) Other nicknames The Tribe, The Wahoos Ballpark Jacobs Field (1994–present... The following are the baseball events of the year 1996 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... The following are the events of the year 1997 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... This year in baseball: 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 8 - Ozzie Smith is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... The following are the events of the year 2003 that happened world-wide throughout the sport of baseball. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2004 throughout the world. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... The following are the baseball events of the year 2005 throughout the world. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: The Friendly City Growing Together Location of Bellflower in Los Angeles County, California Coordinates: , Country United States State California County Los Angeles Government  - Mayor Scott Larsen  - Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy King  - City Council Ray Smith Raymond Dunton Randy Bomgaars Area  - City 15. ... MLB and Major Leagues redirect here. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... In sports, a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests. ...

Early career

Kent was a player at the University of California, Berkeley prior to being drafted in the 20th round of the 1989 amateur draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was noted throughout college for his rigorous work ethic and passion for the game, but also for his rifts with the team manager. Prior to college, Kent had also had a run-in with his Edison High School baseball coach; he was then booted off the team as a result. Sather tower (the Campanile) looking out over the San Francisco Bay and Mount Tamalpais. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) East Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Toronto Blue Jays (1977–present) Other nicknames The Jays Ballpark Rogers Centre (1989–present) a. ... Edison High School is a secondary school located in Huntington Beach, California which first began operation in 1969. ...

After four seasons in the minor leagues, Kent was invited to spring training with the Blue Jays in 1992 and made the opening day roster. He made his debut on April 12 against the Baltimore Orioles and recorded his first career hit (a double) in the 6th inning against Jose Mesa. He hit his first home run on April 14 against New York Yankees pitcher Lee Guetterman. He saw limited at-bats early in the season; however, an injury to starting third baseman Kelly Gruber granted Kent a more regular role in the line-up. is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 5, 8, 20, 22, 33, 42 Name Baltimore Orioles (1954–present) St. ... José Ramón Nova Mesa [MAY-sah] (nickname Joe Table; born May 22, 1966 in Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... Arthur Lee Guetterman (born November 22, 1958 in Chattanooga, Tennessee) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1984 to 1996 for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and St. ... Kelly Wayne Gruber (born February 26, 1962 in Houston, Texas) was a Major League Baseball player. ...

Kent was traded on August 29 to the New York Mets along with a player to be named later (Ryan Thompson) for David Cone. It was a deal decried by both Toronto and New York fans. Many Toronto fans felt the club was compromising their future and that Kent had earned the starting job at third base; many New York fans could not bear to see the fan-favorite Cone let go. Kent would later receive a World Series ring by the Blue Jays. is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league... Ryan Orlando Thompson (born November 4, 1967 in Chestertown, Maryland) is a former Major League Baseball player from 1992 to 2002 for the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Florida Marlins, and Milwaukee Brewers. ... David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. ...

Kent's time with the Mets was marked with some success and some failure. Although he batted well, particularly for a second baseman, the Mets were among the worst teams in the National League. Furthermore, he acquired a very poor reputation in the clubhouse where he was known for a quick temper and isolationism. During the 1992 season He started the only game of his career at SS to allow Willie Randolph to play his final career game at second base.

In a deal made prior to the 1996 trade deadline, the Mets infamously sent Kent and Jose Vizcaino to the Cleveland Indians for Álvaro Espinoza and Carlos Baerga. The following offseason Kent was again traded, this time to the San Francisco Giants. The San Francisco trade was initially very unpopular, as it sent Matt Williams, a longtime Giant and a fan-favorite, to the Indians. Brian Sabean, in his first year as General Manager of the Giants, was so widely criticized for the move that he famously defended himself to the media by saying, "I am not an idiot." Born in the Dominican Republic, Jose Luis Vizcaino Pimental was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played there until he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 5, 14, 18, 19, 21, 42, 455 Name Cleveland Indians (1915–present) Cleveland Naps (1905-1914) Cleveland Bronchos (1902-1904) Cleveland Blues (1901) Other nicknames The Tribe, The Wahoos Ballpark Jacobs Field (1994–present... Álvaro Alberto Espinoza [es-pe-NO-zah] (born February 19, 1962) is a coach and a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. ... Carlos Obed Baerga Ortiz (born November 4, 1968 in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico), better known plainly as Carlos Baerga, is a Major League Baseball player. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Matthew Derrick Matt Williams (born November 28, 1965 in Bishop, California) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played for the San Francisco Giants (1987-96), Cleveland Indians (1997) and Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2003). ... Brian Sabean is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball franchise. ...

Giants Years

Kent's career took off in San Francisco starting in 1997. Immediately inserted in the line-up behind superstar Barry Bonds and with the confidence of manager Dusty Baker, Kent rose to his potential, hitting .250 with 29 HRs and 121 RBIs.^[1] He was consistently among the top RBI hitters in the league over his next five seasons with the Giants, amassing 689 RBIs over six years, an unprecedented amount for a second baseman. He won the 1999 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is currently a left fielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. ... Johnnie B. Dusty Baker, Jr. ... Willie McCovey The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. ...

Kent's contributions were recognized in 2000 (33-HR, 125-RBI, .334-BA, and a .986 fielding pecentage)^[2] with the National League MVP Award, beating out teammate and perennial MVP-candidate Barry Bonds. Despite the fact that Bonds overshadowed Kent in almost every offensive category, it was Kent's clutch hitting in RBI spots (particularly after an intentional walk to Bonds) that won many games for the Giants that year, and ultimately won him the award. The Giants finished first in the NL West at 97-65, but lost to the Mets in the National League Division Series 3-games-to-1.^[3] In the game of baseball, both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series (NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. ...

In 2002, Kent had another stellar year for a 2nd baseman (37-HR, 108-RBI, .313-BA, and a .978 fielding percentage).^[4] The combination of Kent and MVP-winner Bonds propelled the Giants to a 95-66 record, good enough for the NL Wild Card. The Giants would beat the Braves in the National League Division Series 3-2, and the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series 4-1. In the World Series for the first time since 1989, the Giants would nearly clinch the championship before falling to the Anaheim Angels.^[5] In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series (NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. ... In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to baseballs championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. ... For other events named World Series, see World Series (disambiguation). ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 11, 26, 29, 30, 42, 50 Name Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–present) Anaheim Angels (1997-2004) California Angels (1965-1996) Los Angeles Angels (1961-1965) Other nicknames The Halos, The Wings, The Seraphs...

Later career

Despite the team's success that season, Kent's relationship with the Giants had soured. The Giants front office had lost confidence in Kent after an incident during spring training left him with a broken wrist. Kent had initially claimed that the wrist was broken while washing his truck; ensuing media reports indicated that Kent had crashed his motorcycle while doing wheelies, in violation of his contract. A Grapefruit League game at the LA Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of exhibition games which precedes the regular season. ... An R/C truck pops a wheelie after a jump. ...

The departure of manager Dusty Baker, who had first placed trust in Kent, also factored into Kent's eventual decision to leave the Giants. Kent signed a two-year, $19.9 million deal with the Houston Astros, citing his desire to be closer to his family's Texas ranch. Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

Another reason for Kent's departure was the growing tension between Kent and Bonds: a midseason shoving match in the Giants dugout (in which Bonds put his hands around Kents neck) was widely reported.

On October 2, 2004, Kent hit his 288th home run as a second baseman, surpassing Ryne Sandberg as the all-time home run leader at that position. is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18, 1959 in Spokane, Washington), nicknamed Ryno, is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. ...

In his finest moment as an Astro, Kent hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth in Game 5 of the 2004 National League Championship Series to put Houston ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in the series. The Cardinals won Games 6 and 7 in St. Louis to capture the pennant. In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to baseballs championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. ... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ...

On December 14, 2004, he signed a $21 million contract for 3 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899...

Kent was, again, involved in controversy in his first year with the Dodgers in 2005, being called a racist by former teammate Milton Bradley [5] Milton Obelle Bradley (born April 15, 1978 in Harbor City, California) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Oakland Athletics. ...

Lance Berkman in response to this controversy stated, “Jeff Kent is not a racist. He hates white people, black people, and Latinos equally.”

Among the MLB players and coaches, Kent is one of the most disliked guys. He is well known for being extremely unfriendly and not being a team player. Fans often believe he cares more about his individual statistics than the performance of his team.

Accomplishments

• 5-time All-Star (1999-2001, 2004-05)^[6]
• 4-time Silver Slugger (2000-2002, 2005)^[7]
• National League MVP (2000)^[8]
• Finished 6th in National League MVP voting (2002)^[9]
• Finished 8th in National League MVP voting (1997)^[10]
• Finished 9th in National League MVP voting (1998)^[11]
• Finished Top-5 in RBIs (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002)
• All-time leader in home runs as a second baseman (347 as of 5/2/2007)^[12]
• Only second baseman to have 100 or more RBIs in 6 consecutive seasons (1997-2002)
• Hit for the cycle (1999)
• Ranks 84th on MLB Career Slugging Percentage List (.503)
• Ranks 82nd on MLB Career Total Bases List (3,911)
• Ranks 35th on MLB Career Doubles List (516)
• Ranks 71st on MLB Career Home Runs List (354)
• Ranks 61st on MLB Career RBI List (1,413)
• Ranks 50th on MLB Career Extra-Base Hits List (915)
• Ranks 39th on MLB Career Hit By Pitch List (116)
• Ranks 34th on MLB Career Sacrifice Flies List (96)

Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 1999 throughout the world. ...

References

1. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats
2. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats
3. ^ Baseball-reference.com 2000 SF Giants
4. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats
5. ^ Baseball-reference.com 2002 SF Giants
6. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats
7. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats
8. ^ [1]
9. ^ [2]
10. ^ [3]
11. ^ [4]
12. ^ Baseball-reference.com Jeff Kent career stats

See also

• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• List of major league players with 2,000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• Hitting for the cycle
• Los Angeles Dodgers all-time roster
• Cleveland Indians all-time roster
• Houston Astros all-time roster

In the sport of baseball, a home run is the act of hitting the ball in such a manner, whether out of the park or in (see inside the park home run), that allows the batter to safely reach home and score in one play. ... Below is the list of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 2,000 hit milestone. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of Major League Baseball all-time leaders in doubles. ... Below is the list of 295 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 Runs milestone. ... Below is the list of 252 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 RBI milestone. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ...   The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Los Angeles Dodgers National League franchise (1958-present), and for the Brooklyn-based teams known as the Atlantics (1884), Grays (1885-1887), Bridegrooms (1888-1890, 1896-1898), Grooms (1891-1895...   The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Cleveland American League franchise known as the Blues (1901), Bronchos (1902-04), Naps (1905-14) and Indians (1915-present). ...   The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Houston Astros National League franchise (1965-present), also known previously as the Houston Colt . ...

External links

• Jeff Kent at:
  • Baseball Reference
  • Fan Page