Player Name: Jeff Kent
Sets From: 1992 Donruss Rookies, Fleer Update, Leaf, Leaf Black Gold, Pinnacle, Score Select and Score
Card Numbers: 61, 104, 445, 445Black, 522, 318 and 84T
Why is these cards are must have?: I did a post about Jeff Kent last year about whether he should be in the Hall of Fame <link>. I assumed a few things in my assessment of him going to the Hall. I assumed he was going for 3000 hits or 400 home runs. He didn’t hit either of the milestones, in my opinion that means that he is not going to the Hall. He has other things working against him as well, his fellow teammates hate him, journalists hate him, and fans hate him. So how does a player with above average stats who’s a cancer in the clubhouse get into the Hall of Fame? I’m not sure. He finishes his career with 0.290/377/1518 stat line and one MVP award. All time he is top 100 in hits, doubles, homers, RBIs, and extra base hits. I put his career stats on par with Ryne Sandberg,the thing is the fans like Sandberg. I’m thinking he’s going the 15 years until he gets in . . . if he gets in. Ask Jim Rice how the voters feel about players that treat them like crap. All that aside, this is still a must have card whether I like it or not. The guy did put up some really good numbers.
Scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 7, he is a great hitter . . . for a second baseman. If he stayed a few more years and hit some milestones, I would raise his rating to an 8. His cards range from $2.50 – $15 in the book, but on eBay I have seen them run from $1 – $5 (more if graded). The best card of his is the Fleer Update version which books for $15.
I didn’t realize Kent had so many rookie cards. That Score Select is actually a 1993 card.
I was looking all over for it, I thought Beckett just missed it, so I figured I would post it. Good eye Dave!
“He is a great hitter … for a second baseman.” … I think that is what is going to get him in the Hall. I do think he will be there, and he probably won’t have to wait as long as Jim Rice.