The Keltner List -- Jeff Kent

This is the second installment of the Keltner List saga, this time starring Jeff Kent. 2014 is Kent's first year on the ballot.

Jeff Kent Player Page at BBRef

1. Was Kent ever regarded as the best player in baseball?

No. Kent was one of those players that no one paid much attention to, but who consistently put up excellent numbers. He was never considered to be the best player in baseball, to my knowledge.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

Let us look at the various teams which employed Jeff Kent for more than a partial season.

• 1992-1996 New York Mets: on these rotten teams, Kent or Eddie Murray were the best players. Bobby Bonilla was hurt most of the time, and Gooden was at the mid point of his career implosion.
• 1997-2002 San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds was the best player on all of these teams, but Kent was second best.
• 2003-04 Houston Astros: Kent was in the top three. Even though the Astros had Craig Biggio, they got Kent and installed him at second base. The Astros had Morgan Ensberg at third, and he provided 25 home runs in 2003.
• 2005-08 Los Angeles Dodgers: On the 2005 Dodgers, a team which featured Hee Seop Choi and Olmedo Saenz at first base, you bet Jeff Kent was the best player on the team. What it means to be the best player on a team that lost 90 games, I have no idea.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position?

Between 1997 and 2005, Kent was the best offensive second baseman in the game. He did not have the defense of Alomar or Biggio, but he hit a ton and drove in runs in bunches. Alomar stole more bases, as did Biggio. Kent certainly feasted on the pitchers avoiding Barry Bonds, but on teams such as the 1993 Mets (21 HR, 80 RBI) and the 2005 Dodgers (65 XBH, 105 RBI with little offensive protection) Kent was the most dangerous or second most dangerous player in the lineup. If not, he is in the top three with Biggio and Alomar.

4. Did he have an impact on pennant races?

• Traded to the Indians in 1996, Kent slashed .265/.322/.428 and played little part in the race.
• In 1997, the Giants overtook the Dodgers in a three game series in September at 3 Com park. Kent went 1-11 with six strikeouts. Against the Dodgers for the year, Kent hit .105 with 16 strikeouts in 38 at bats. If anything, this could have been a negative impact.
• In 2000, the Giants moved into first on July 29th, and Kent hit like a machine for the rest of the year, .300 with 16 HR and 36 RBI over his last 57 games. He then went 6-16 in a four game NLCS loss to the Mets.
• In the 2002 World Series, Kent hit three home runs and had 7 RBI. This was lost in the "is this Bonds' moment" stuff, but he had a very good series.
• In 2003 with the Astros, Kent slashed at a .330/.398/.526 clip in September and October. In a key series with the Cardinals from Sept 12-14, Kent went 4-9 with three doubles as the Astros moved a game ahead in the central; they wound up 1 game behind the Cubs
• In 2004, the Astros finished with the NL wild card. Kent hit .366 with 3 HR and 14 RBI against the first place Cardinals.

5.Was he a good enough player that he could play regularly after passing his prime?

Absolutely. Kent's last very good season was in 2005 at age 37. He still put up an .875 OPS at age 39 with the Dodgers. In his last season at age 40 he hit 12 HR but was almost immobile in the field.

6. Is he the very best player in history who is not in the hall of fame?

No.

7. Are most players with comparable statistics in the hall of fame?

No players are truly comparable to Kent, which is a point in his favor. The closest is Adrian Beltre (873).  The only second baseman in his top ten list is Ryne Sandberg (802) who is in the hall of fame. Most of the rest are third baseman and outfielders, with two (Jim Rice and Ron Santo) in the Hall. Kent was the inheritor (along with Brent Boone) to Ryne Sandberg's mantle of the best power hitting second baseman in baseball. Kent was not close to Sandberg defensively, however.

8. Do the numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Kent scores a 51 on the standards list, with a likely hall of famer being at 50. Kent remains 49th in history in RBIs, and is third all time among second basemen. He is the career leader in HR for second basemen.

9. Is there evidence to suggest that the player was better than his statistics show?

Kent did not have great range as a second baseman, but his defensive stats show that he was solid up the middle until his mid 30s. His offensive stats are very good, but he was playing in a period of high offensive numbers.

10. Is he the best player at his position eligible for the Hall of Fame who has not been enshrined?

I would argue he is second, behind Bobby Grich and virtually tied with Craig Biggio.

11. How many MVP type seasons did the player have? Did he ever win an MVP award? How many times was he close?

Kent was the NL MVP in 2000 (.334/.424/.596, 33 HR 125 RBI) and was in the top ten in voting three times (1997, 1998 and 2002).

12. How many All Star seasons did he have? How many all star teams did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go into the hall of fame?

Kent started four all star games and was selected for five. This is a fairly low total for a prospective hall of famer.

13. If this man was the best on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

I don't think so, but Kent in his prime years (1999-2002) would make a team interesting. The 2005 Dodgers lost 90 games with Kent as the best player with JD Drew injured. in Kent's defense he was 37 years old.

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history?

Kent helped Bonds along the road to breaking Aaron's record, but not as much as the steroids. The same could be said of Matt Williams, however.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of the Hall of Fame?

Before he left the Giants, Kent broke his wrist in a motorcycle accident but claimed he fell from his truck while washing the bed. This violated his contract at the same time that he and Barry Bonds were publicly feuding. He also appeared on Survivor, but many people have made that mistake. He did win the 1998 Willie Mac Award from the Giants through a vote by his fellow players. Kent would be no worse (and perhaps a quite better citizen) than many members of the hall.

I would argue that Kent deserves a lot of consideration; he and Biggio will probably split votes this year, with Biggio getting elected before Kent. Biggio had a better relationship with the media and (most) of his teammates. He would not be a bad selection for the Hall.

The Keltner List -- Craig Biggio

Back in the 1990s, Bill James wrote an excellent book titled The Politics of Glory, which detailed the history of the baseball Hall of Fame. As is his wont, it also engaged in some lively statistical analysis and debate over the worthiness of many good (and great players). One thing that has stuck in my mind is the so-called Keltner List, a series of 15 questions.

The list is named for third baseman Ken Keltner, perhaps best known for making outstanding defensive plays to stop Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak in 1941. James describes the list as an "outline of the things that one might expect in a hall of fame player." (James, Politics of Glory, 275) I have decided to put several players through the Keltner list in anticipation of the Hall of Fame voting to be announced in January.

Up first is Craig Biggio, in his second year on the ballot. Biggio received 68% of the vote last year. All stats from www.baseball-reference.com

1.  Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody suggest, while he was active, that he was the best player in baseball?
1. From 1988 to 1991, Biggio was one of the best catchers in the NL, perhaps in baseball. He moved to second base in 1992 and won 4 gold gloves at that position (1994-97). He was always held as a great player. He certainly is one of the most versatile players of the last 50 years. Bill James famously argued in the late 1990s that Biggio was the best player in baseball, and wrote about it at length in the second edition of the Historical Baseball Analyst.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
1. This is tough. I would argue that Biggio was the best player on the Astros in 1997 and 1998, even better than Bagwell. Biggio led the league in runs, stole bases and played above average defense at a more demanding position than Bagwell. It could be argued that between 1994 and 2000, Biggio was the best player on his team, or at least a very close second to Bagwell.
3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?
1. As a catcher, he was valued more for his offense than defense. As a second baseman, perhaps the best in his league (though Jeff Kent may have a say). At his peak (1993-1998), Biggio was one of the top two second baseman in the NL, and those two usually rounded out the top three with Roberto Alomar. One could not go wrong with any of those players at second. As an outfielder, he was not the best player in his position either in baseball or in the National League.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?
1. In 1997, Biggio triple slashed .284/.424/.482 in August and September as the Astros hung on to 1st place in the NL central. He also swiped 27 bases in his last 54 games.
2. On July 31, 1998 the Astros were in first by 3.5 games. Biggio hit .338 down the stretch with 8 HR and 17 SB as the Astros went 37-14 to win the division by 13 games.
3. In 2004, the Astros won 45 of their last 69 games. Biggio hit only .254 but slugged 11 HR.
5. Was he a good enough player to play regularly once he was past his prime?
1. Biggio was a productive player until his late 30s, not really falling off until 2005 when he was 39.
6. Is he the best player in baseball history who is NOT in the Hall of Fame?
1. I would argue not, but he is certainly in the top 10 on that score. I would argue Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez are the best players not in the hall, and two of them are not eligible and two are tainted by steroids.
7. Are most players with comparable statistics in the hall of fame?
1. According to Baseball Reference, no player is truly comparable to Biggio. Player comps are rated on a scale to 1000, with 1000 being perfect comparableness. The highest comp scores are for Robin Yount (836) and Derek Jeter (823). Baseball Reference lists 10 players as most comparable, and seven are in the Hall. Of the other three, Jeter most certainly will be elected one day, Lou Whitaker is a borderline candidate and Johnny Damon is anyone's guess. As James points out, "great players usually have no true comparable, as they are unique." (James, 280)
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
1. Again, this info is recorded on baseball-reference.com, which uses an adaptation of James' standards. By James' calculation, an average hall of famer would score a 50, a truly great player (such as Babe Ruth or Walter Johnson) would score close to 100. Biggio scores a respectable 57.
9. Is there evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
1. Biggio was a full time catcher for his first three seasons, and was average defensively. He then became a full time second baseman for the rest of his career with the exception of a two year exile in center field after the Astros signed Jeff Kent. Biggio was a good leadoff and second place hitter. When the Astros had Brian Hunter, Biggio batted second. Biggio was greatly respected as a team leader and hustle player. His batting helmet contained pine tar from what seemed like six presidential administrations. He and Bagwell are still very much the faces of the Astros franchise, serving as two of the "Killer Bees" of the 1990s. Add in the fact that Biggio was talented enough to make all star teams at two of the most demanding defensive positions, and that adds up to an excellent player.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the hall of fame but not inducted?
1. Perhaps, but Jeff Kent is a close second. I would rate Biggio higher than Lou Whitaker. Bobby Grich is still not inducted and should be, and I would rate him as better than Biggio. Grich played in a less favorable offensive era and was much better defensively. Willie Randolph is a tough case, but I like Biggio. Biggio hit for more power than Randolph, and got on base nearly as much. Plus, Biggio spent his career (until 2000) in the Astrodome and still had three seasons of 20 plus home runs. Granted, the 1990s was a time in which a dead man might hit a home run here or there, but Biggio was the better player.
11. How many MVP type season did the player have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
1. Biggio never won an MVP award, but finished in the top 10 in voting three times (1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998). His 1998 season, (in which he hit .325, led the league in doubles, stole 50 bases and posted 210 hits) was lost in the steroid shuffle to 70 home runs. He deserved better than to finish fifth that year. I mean, a gold glove second baseman with 50 steals and an OPS of .906?
2. 1997 and 1998 were probably Biggio's best years, and were thought to be close to MVP caliber by the sportswriters.
12. How many All-Star type seasons did he have? how many all star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played this many go to the hall of fame?
1. Biggio played in six all star games, including the 1991 game as a catcher. Of the second baseman who played in six or more all star games, only Grich and Bobby Richardson are not in, and Biggio was a much better player than Richardson.
13. If this man were the best on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?
1. I don't know. It would certainly contend, but I don't think it would win a pennant. Biggio got on base very well, ran extremely well for most of his career and had excellent gap power. On a team with some big bats behind him (such as Bagwell, Derek Bell or Jeff Kent) he scored 110 runs a year.
14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he change the game in any way?
1. Minimal.
15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the hall of fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
1. Certainly. Biggio was held as a team leader and gave a lot of his time to various causes in Houston.

I would think that Biggio is an excellent hall of fame candidate, and should be voted in.