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I Can’t Believe I’m Defending Jeff Kent

By Billy Campione

Yesterday, Gary did his usual bang up job analyzing Jeff Kent’s chances of making the Hall of Fame. I am usually hesitant to go against him, because, well, he’s smarter than me. But I feel strongly enough about one of his major points to write a rebuttal.

Superior offensive production at positions not noted for that quality most definitely is a reason for increased Hall of Fame consideration. Second base has not become “the new shortstop” where there are numerous superior hitters all over both leagues. Second base joins catcher and centerfielder as positions where players who outshine their peers offensively deserve to be given greater consideration.

Let’s take a look at some of Kent’s contemporaries and a few who came before him. Below is a sampling of All Star second basemen since the mid 1980s. Kent outperforms all of them by wide margins (although I recognize and Gary insists that Utley may indeed be better than them all).

NAME	AVG	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI	RUNS	SB	AWARD
Willie Randolph	.276	.373	.351	54	687	1,239	271
Lou Whitaker	.276	.363	.426	244	1084	1,386	143	ROY
Carlos Baerga	.291	.332	.423	134	774	731	59
Chuck Knoblauch	.289	.378	.406	98	615	1,132	407	ROY
Brett Boone	.266	.325	.442	252	1,021	927	94
Ray Durham	.277	.352	.436	192	875	1,249	273
Brian Roberts	.284	.385	.416	61	354	619	226
Chase Utley	.298	.375	.526	130	492	490	60
Jeff Kent	.290	.356	.500	377	1,518	1,320	94	MVP

Kent’s only competition among his peers is a Hall of Famer and two future Hall of Famers who are better all around players. Ask yourself: their stats are so close, are Kent’s drawbacks that significant to keep him out of the Hall?

NAME	AVG	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI	RUNS	SB	AWARD
Ryne Sandberg	.285	.344	.452	282	1,061	1,318	344	MVP
Roberto Alomar	.300	.371	.443	210	1,134	1,508	474
Craig Biggio	.281	.363	.433	291	1,175	1,844	414
Jeff Kent	.290	.356	.500	377	1,518	1,320	94	MVP

Giving preference to good hitters at traditionally poor hitting positions does not indicate that the position’s value is less than another. It merely indicates that due to the physical demands of the position a certain type of player is required to play there, and that player is usually a subpar hitter. That’s why Biggio was moved from behind the plate. That’s why big guys who catch usually hit for lower averages. That’s why fast guys play centerfield and don’t hit many home runs. It’s truly an anomaly when a player at these positions goes beyond what is required and expected of those who play there. It’s why Jorge Posada got a huge contract after batting .338 in 2007. It’s why Ken Griffey, Jr. is considered one of the best players in the world after hitting 600 homers. And it’s one of the reasons why Jeff Kent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame at some point during his eligibility.

Kent’s inferior defense at second has been cited as another reason to exclude him from immortality. Players who excel defensively at their position (unlike Kent) will hang their hat on their prowess and their supporters will use defense as a reason for their inclusion in Cooperstown. For example, Don Mattingly and Keith Hernandez have long been debated as players whose superior defense at first base would be one of the arguments in their favor. But most agree that their offensive numbers are not enough for their defense to put them over the top.

Kent was a monster at the plate for a second baseman. His stats compare favorably with the best of his peers and he dwarfs anyone in the next level down. He may be in purgatory as hitters go, but players must be judged by comparing the performance of their peers at their position during their time. Sandberg waited three years, Alomar and Biggio will likely wait less. Kent’s time should come, too.

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