share-square-776484
NEW YORK It’s Tuesday evening in Texas. Former Major Leaguer Jeff Kent was working on his ranch when he was informed that he fell short of being elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In his eighth year of eligibility, Kent garnered 32.4 percent of the ballot, up from 27.5 percent in 2020. No player on the 2021 ballot received the 75 percent required for election.
The Baseball Writers Association of America has two more chances to put Kent into Cooperstown. If the BBWAA doesn’t vote him in, Kent’s last chance will be the Today s Game Era Committee.
“There is not a whole lot I can control. I didn’t lobby for myself,” Kent said via telephone. “There is still confusion on the overall ballot. I think people are still scratching their heads on what they want to do with steroid guys or guys that gave political opinions. … I think it is crazy how people debate it one way or the other. Maybe that’s why I have a cold view of it right now.