Hall Of Famers Jeff Kent And Andruw Jones Played One Forgettable Dodgers Season Together

Inductees into nan National Baseball Hall of Fame by meaning person plentifulness of marvelous memories erstwhile reflecting connected nan profession accomplishments that led them to Cooperstown.

Bumps successful nan roadworthy were inevitable arsenic well.

One large bump for Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones came pinch nan Dodgers successful 2008, Kent’s past of 17 MLB seasons and Jones’ first pursuing 12 years pinch nan Atlanta Braves.

Suffice to opportunity neither will participate nan Hall of Fame wearing a Dodgers cap.

Kent signed pinch nan Dodgers up of nan 2005 play caller disconnected a National League Championship Series Game 7 nonaccomplishment pinch nan Houston Astros. Already recognized arsenic possibly nan apical power-hitting 2nd baseman of all-time, he yearned for a title ringing to make his profession complete.

Jones, a halfway fielder from nan Caribbean land of Curaçao, signed a two-year, $36-million statement pinch nan Dodgers astatine property 31 only 3 years removed from starring nan National League pinch 51 location runs and 128 runs batted in. Already nan victor of 10 Gold Gloves, he besides was chasing a title aft losing doubly successful nan Fall Classic.

“It’s 1 of those things wherever we didn’t motion to make nan Hall of Fame, we played this crippled because we emotion it and because we wanted to triumph championships,” Jones said Friday.

The Dodgers had precocious expectations successful 2008. Joe Torre, pinch 4 World Series championships arsenic head of nan New York Yankees connected his resume, was successful his first twelvemonth successful L.A. The roster was a blend of accomplished veterans (Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Maddux, Derek Lowe and midseason pickup Manny Ramirez) and budding stars (Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, James Loney and midseason call-up Clayton Kershaw).

Kent was nan resident no-nonsense, old-school seasoned whose bat remained potent astatine property 40. Near nan extremity of nan erstwhile play he had gone nationalist with his frustrations astir nan attack of immoderate of nan young players.

“A batch of kids successful here, they don’t understand that ... you dislike to discarded an opportunity, moreover if it’s 1 and moreover if it’s your first time,” he said astatine nan time. “It’s difficult to get them to understand that because they haven’t been there.”

By outpouring training successful what he acknowledged would beryllium his last season, Kent had gotten complete it and was fresh for a past try.

“So overmuch is made of nan thought that we should beryllium hugging, that we should each spell retired to dinner, but much important is nan translator of talent and knowledge, pinch nan older guys showing what they cognize and nan younger ones asking for it,” he said.

Jones was expected to fastener down halfway section and supply leadership. But a mediocre commencement and a midseason knee wounded torpedoed his performance. He batted .158 pinch 3 location runs and 14 RBIs successful 75 games and suffered torn cartilage successful his correct knee that required room and landed him connected nan abnormal database for nan first clip successful his career.

Kent, arsenic always, was accordant astatine nan plate, batting .280, but he besides sustained a knee wounded that required arthroscopic room and sidelined him for each of September.

In what could person been a legit postseason opportunity, Jones did not play and Kent came disconnected nan chair to spell 0 for 9 during an NLDS expanse of nan Cubs and five-game nonaccomplishment to nan Phillies successful nan NLCS.

Kent will deterioration a Giants headdress into Cooperstown. His six seasons playing alongside Barry Bonds vaulted him into nan speech arsenic nan best-hitting 2nd baseman of all-time. He drove successful much than 100 runs 8 times, was NL MVP successful 2000 and vanished his profession pinch 55.4 wins supra replacement (WAR).

In a video telephone pinch reporters Wednesday, Kent made it clear that his bosom belongs not to San Francisco aliases L.A., but to Austin, Texas, wherever he lives connected a ranch.

“I’m a boring guy,” he said. “I pursuit grandkids and pursuit cows and thrust motorcycles. When I retired I benignant of went into my spread successful Austin and I for illustration surviving successful my hole.”

Jones will don a Braves cap. He made his debut astatine 19 successful 1996 and deed 25 aliases much location runs successful 10 consecutive seasons opening successful 1998, finishing his profession pinch 434 homers and 62.7 WAR.

“When I came [to Atlanta] astatine nan young property of 19, they welcomed maine in,” he said. “I ne'er moved from here. I made Atlanta my home.”

The Hall of Fame induction ceremonial takes spot Sunday, July 26 astatine 10:30 a.m. PDT. Outfielder Carlos Beltrán will beryllium inducted on pinch Kent and Jones.

“It’s a bigger affectional woody than I ever thought it would be, absolutely,” Kent said. “I still tear up talking astir it.”

Added Jones: “Thinking that this kid from Curaçao who came present chasing a dream, gets a chance to play a athletics he loves and ends up successful Cooperstown, is wild.”