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Personally i dont have a problem with it though kent was the least deserving of most of those on the contemporary ballot. The best ones got less than five votes. Now they cant appear on there til 2031 and if they get less than 5 then they are no longer eligible. Such a farce. If you arent going to seriously consider them them dont even put on the dog n pony show.
Jeff Kent age 24-29: 106 OPS+ (Best year was 111 at age 26.)
Jeff Kent age 30-37: 134 OPS+
Jeff Kent turned 30 in 1998, which was the year his teammate Barry Bonds began his illegal PED regimen. But maybe that’s just a coincidence.
It does not look good for Bonds or Clemens ever getting in. It would appear their contemporaries do not have much respect for either.
Most assessments by HOF voters are based primarily on the player’s stats. The stats of players who were using PED’s are invalid. They don’t count. As much as I wish they’re achievements were real, the truth is that their achievements are not real, and their fame is not real. If these known PED users are inducted into the HOF, then McGwire, and others, should be immediately inducted.
Although I don’t begrudge his being elected, I’m more than a little surprised that Kent got voted in. In my view, he was never near to the top 5 players of his era like a guy such as Dale Murphy who, for several seasons was possibly the best all around player in either league. I’m not advocating that Murphy should be in there, but at least he was an all around elite player who won consecutive NL MVP’s. Oh well, the HOF isn’t what it once was which is a reflection of the game itself which has been steadily diminished to an area that favors greed and self over what was once a game that took on a character that somehow seemed a bit upright and admirable.
Kent with the 55.4 WAR, and best production during the ‘roid era is certainly questionable. Meanwhile my guy, Ken Boyer, was snubbed on last year’s “Golden Era” ballot despite a 62.8 WAR, well regarded leadership traits, signature moment in the World Series, and MVP for a championship club. Not too mention 11 time All-Star (Kent was a five time All Star).
The Hall has really gotten things wrong in recent years. Kent was a good player, no question, but I never thought of him as a Hall-of-Fame type player. But with him and Harold Baines in, and guys like Boyer and the aforementioned Jim Edmonds out (Edmonds 60.4 WAR, Baines 38.8), you wonder what these guys are looking at to justify their choices.
Ive never really been one to complain about somebody getting in that prob wasnt what you would call great. I always say good for them. They get to feel real good and hang with some elites and talk about the good ole days. The true fans know whose in the upper tier, those others milling around the bottom arent hurting no one. What has bothered me is that defense isnt looked the same as hitting and i disagree with that. Of course its hard nowadays to measure it since they dont give errors like they use to so maybe thats it. But in a case like edmonds, defense means a lot. The fact he could play shallow and still get to balls at the wall faster than guys at normal depth prob means his war should be much higher. Hard to figure those hits he took away cause he could play so shallow as well.
I feel pretty much the same way about Arenado’s defense. I’d bet it’s worth 3 to 5 wins over the course of a season. That’s enough to make a difference. Seattle could probably make a deal with St. Louis to get both Arenado and Donovan for a fair price. But it seems like Seattle is always willing to settle for second or third place in their Division. So, even though a trade like that would solve their biggest problems, they don’t try to pull it off.
The Class of 2026 is set as Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, two of the most dynamic center fielders of their era, join Jeff Kent in Cooperstown.
Full vote totals: https://t.co/4y43mOnzBC pic.twitter.com/E2PJ3hkXhc
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) January 21, 2026
Seems a good point.
This isn't to take away from Andruw Jones, who is deserving of the nomination, but the fact that Edmonds didn't make it past one Hall of Fame ballot still baffles me #STLCards pic.twitter.com/VmZA9AqyZ0
— Thomas Gauvain (@thomasgauvain) January 21, 2026
Jones should have already been in. Ive never been big on beltran. I dont mind him getting in mind you. But ive looked at his and edmons numbers, the numbers favor beltran slightly. Offensively they are close. Edmonds higher actually in most categories. I dont agree with the defensive numbers at all which favor beltran. Edmonds played far shallower and still got to all the balls anyone deeper could plus he took away so many nore blooper hits than say beltran. I look at edmonds the same way i look at ozzie smith. Their defense was as good as scoring a run or two a game is for someone else. Edmonds like ozzie was a human highlight reel. Beltran was really good but he wasnt that.
As stupid as HOF voting is I truly feel as though Edmonds would be in by now (or trending that way) if he had 400 hrs. Still think he gets in by committee.
Yeah, Jimmy will get in eventually. And I think Ken Boyer will make it some day as well (WAR almost exactly the same as Andruw Jones).
The Hall is not perfect. It’s too bad they can’t vote guys out as well as in, as there are a few who really should not be there.
Beltran selected a Mets logo for his cap and the Hall agrees.
https://baseballhall.org/news/cap-selections-announced-for-class-of-2026
When Yadier enters the HOF I hope that the above image enters along with him as the defining illustration of his legacy as one of the all time greatest catchers to ever man up behind HP. I clearly remember that precise instant as the Redbirds secured the NL Pennant and Molina’s unbridled zeal and enthusiasm unmistakably shouted, “We got that son of a gun!”
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