"Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch went on MLB Network live from their setup inside an Orlando hotel lobby on Sunday night to say Kent was the lone person out of eight on the Contemporary Baseball Era committee ballot to be elected. It became clear it was Kent based on the credentials Rawitch read off, but when the top man at the hall officially said Kent's name, some boos were faintly audible from fans lingering near the set."
"Among the other folks on the ballot were two beloved players from the 1980s: former Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly and ex-Braves infielder Dale Murphy. Players needed to get 12 votes from the 16-person committee to reach the Hall of Fame, and Nightengale pointed out that there was "so much campaigning" for the duo, who were considered "media darlings and fan favorites" in their time."
""Kent, who hardly was considered the warm and fuzzy type like Mattingly and Murphy, and considered surly at times by the media, but was admired as a fierce and fiery competitor by Giants manager Dusty Baker and his teammates," Nightengale wrote. "Maybe this is why the announcement Sunday on the MLB Network in the lobby of the Hilton Bonnet Creek resort was greeted by a smattering of boos by the scattered fans who gathered around the studio set.""
Jeff Kent was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era committee, receiving 14 of 16 votes. The announcement occurred live on MLB Network from an Orlando hotel lobby, where faint boos were audible when Kent's name was read. Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy were also on the ballot and attracted substantial campaigning and public support. Kent holds the record for most home runs by a second baseman, is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner, and was the 2000 MVP. Fans' reaction likely reflected nostalgia and support for Mattingly and Murphy rather than a denial of Kent's credentials.
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