Dodgers News: Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame; Fernando Valenzuela Falls Short

ORLANDO, FL—While the 2025-2026 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings kicked off in Orlando, Florida, today, it was also the announcement of the Contemporary Era ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and a few former Los Angeles Dodgers were on the bill, including the legendary Fernando Valenzuela.

The lone inductee of the night was former Dodgers and long-time San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent.

Kent received 14 out of 16 votes from the Era Committee, making him the only candidate among the eight considered to surpass the 75% (12 of 16) threshold required for induction to Cooperstown. Carlos Delgado was the next closest candidate with nine votes, while Dale Murphy and Don Mattingly each received six votes. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela each garnered fewer than five votes.

The Era Committee, formerly called the Veterans Committee, is the latest form of the process that has, for decades, provided a fresh evaluation and second chance to players initially overlooked on the writers’ ballot. This year’s committee focused on players whose main achievements occurred during the “Contemporary Baseball” era (1980-present).

Next year’s ballot will include managers, executives, and umpires from the same era, while the 2027 ballot will review candidates from the “Classic Baseball” era (before 1980). After that, in 2028, players from the Contemporary era will be considered again.

Kent will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27th, 2026, together with any other electees chosen through the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote, which will be announced on January 20th.

The 17-year veteran achieved a total of 290/.356/500 (123 OPS+) with 2,461 hits, 560 doubles, 377 home runs, 1,518 RBIs, 1,320 runs, and a 55.4 WAR. Kent also holds the record for most home runs by a second baseman.

Kent played for the Giants for six seasons, generating most of his career value there, with a 31.6 WAR for San Francisco. He didn’t exceed an 8.4 WAR with any other team. On Sunday, Kent mentioned he’s inclined to choose the Giants logo for his plaque cap, but he might also opt for a blank logo, considering he spent five years with the Mets, four with the Dodgers, two with the Astros, one with the Blue Jays, and one with Cleveland.

Kent was a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 with the Giants.

Fernando Valenzuela Falls Short

Regarding Valenzuela, the folk hero is Dodger Land, who narrowly misses the eligibility criteria for the ballot, receiving fewer than five votes.

Due to his total, Valenzuela cannot be considered when the group reconvenes in 2028, but may return to the ballot in 2031.

Valenzuela’s Hall of Fame case is complex, since some of his stats don’t directly compare to those of established Cooperstown inductees.

However, what cannot be overstated — or ignored — is Valenzuela’s influence on the Dodgers franchise and the sport overall. This cherished left-hander, who signed as a teenager from Mexico, made his MLB debut in 1980, though he pitched in only two games out of the bullpen.

In the 1981 season, “Fernandomania” emerged as the rookie left-hander posted a 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games, and eight shutouts. Valenzuela also led all pitchers with 180 strikeouts and was awarded the NL Cy Young Award.

Valenzuela, a six-time All-Star, also secured two World Series titles with the Dodgers. He continued his involvement with the organization as a Spanish-language commentator until his passing in October 2024.

During the 2023 season, the Dodgers retired No. 34 to honor Valenzuela, breaking their usual policy of reserving retirements solely for Hall of Famers. Before Valenzuela, only Jim Gilliam’s No. 19 had been retired by the Dodgers, and that occurred two days after Gilliam’s death in 1978 at age 49.

But for now, Valenzuela’s time in Cooperstown is put on hold.

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