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Jeff Kent Elected to Hall of Fame by Contemporary Era Committee

A new rule delays reconsideration of Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield, Valenzuela until at least 2031 after each drew fewer than five votes.

Overview

  • Kent was the lone player chosen, receiving 14 of 16 votes and clearing the 12-vote threshold required by the 16-member panel.
  • He will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 26, 2026, alongside any honorees from the BBWAA ballot, with those results due Jan. 20.
  • Carlos Delgado received nine votes, while Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy each received six; four other candidates fell below five.
  • Under the Hall’s 2025 rule, sub-five vote totals make candidates ineligible for the next Contemporary Players ballot, pushing any return to at least 2031.
  • The committee of Hall of Famers, MLB executives, and media convened at the Winter Meetings in Orlando; Kent previously topped out at 46.5% on the writers’ ballot.