Jeff

Kent

Pretty stunning. Needing to be included on 12 to make the Hall of Fame, Kent was named on 14 of the 16 ballots. Carlos Delgado, who was one-and-done on the BBWAA ballot, received nine votes, and both Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy were chosen by six Committee members. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela were listed on fewer than five ballots and thus won’t be eligible to make the 2028 ballot when this committee for post-1980 players is up again. Many suspected that Mattingly was the favorite today, especially given the makeup of the committee as none of the seven players included played beyond the mid-90s. Kent definitely had a better case by the numbers, hitting .290/.356/.500 over 17 big-league seasons. His 377 homers are the most ever from someone whose primary position was second base.

As always, the conversation around this year’s class will be dominated by discussions of Bonds and Clemens, who are both seemingly being kept out due to their past involvement with steroids. Perhaps this year will be different. Any player who gets 75 percent of the vote from a committee of writers, historians, and baseball executives will be selected into the Hall of Fame.

Kent isn’t ready to predict when he will return. ''It’s impossible to predict,’' he said. ''But I will say that I’ll probably need a couple of batting practices before I can.’'

Kent, who is on the DL with left wrist tendinitis, has hit off a tee for the last two days.

As of Tuesday evening, the Astros had not asked Kent if he would waive his no-trade clause, nor is it certain Kent has passed through waivers. “I’m here, yeah,” he said. “But you want to win, too. I think we’re all in the same situation. Some of us have more options than others.” Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker had no comment.

Late in the 2002 season, Kent said he’d retire if the Giants won the World Series, which they did not. He’s now in the final season of a two-year contract with Houston. When asked if he might consider returning to San Francisco, he said, “San Francisco? I don’t even know if I’m going to play next year. Guys, I don’t even know if I’ll be back at all, and don’t read too much into this.” Kent said he’s having fun playing, but he has more fun with his kids and riding his motorcycles.

Wow, who knew? The Astros’ second baseman is now alone in fourth place in the NL in the category, behind just Jack Wilson, Juan Pierre, and Jimmy Rollins. Add in 27 doubles and 20 homers, and Kent has a nice .509 slugging percentage.

The A’s have until Tuesday to get something done with the 36 year-old veteran who would certainly help the middle of their batting order. Kent has a no-trade clause in his contract so we will see if something does come to fruition.

He’ll be in the starting lineup tonight. “My foot’s OK, just a little sore,” Kent said. “I’ll be all right. I’m moving around a lot better today than I thought I would be.”

Kent would help the Red Sox, but not all that much. Mark Bellhorn really has been one of the league’s better second basemen this season. The A’s have more need of him, but GM Billy Beane had a very difficult time trying to fit Octavio Dotel into the team’s budget. Ownership just doesn’t want to take on any additional salary.