53-731: Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968) is an American former professional baseball second baseman . He played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1992 to 2008 for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , and Los Angeles Dodgers . Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and
106-566: A latissimus dorsi muscle and received his second suspension after an argument with umpire Sam Holbrook . Tavárez again appeared on the disabled list in 1999 due to pneumonia and had two minor league stints. Tavárez was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies on November 21, 1999. The next day, he signed a one-year, $ 1.2 million deal with the Rockies for the 2000 season. He recorded one of two career major league complete games with
159-408: A .290 batting average (2461-for-8498) with 1320 runs , 560 doubles , 47 triples , 377 home runs , 1518 RBI , 94 stolen bases , 801 bases on balls , .356 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage . He finished his career with a .978 fielding percentage . In 49 postseason games, he hit .276 (47-for-170) with 25 runs, 11 doubles, 9 home runs, 23 RBI and 13 walks. Kent hit 351 home runs as
212-840: A .978 fielding percentage). The combination of Kent and MVP-winner Bonds propelled the Giants to a 95–66 record, good enough for the NL Wild Card. The Giants would beat the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series 3–2 and the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series 4–1. In the World Series for the first time since 1989, the Giants would nearly clinch the championship (failing to hold
265-522: A 4.01 ERA, and recorded his second complete game in a 7–1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. On March 22, 2007, teammate Jonathan Papelbon was named the team's closer , and Tavárez took his spot in the rotation . During a game in May 2007, Tavárez wore shoes emblazoned with the likeness of his teammate David Ortiz . In spring training, it had been assumed that Tavárez was simply holding the fifth spot in
318-747: A 5–0, 7th-inning lead) in the sixth game, before falling to the Anaheim Angels in seven games. Despite the team's success that season, Kent's relationship with the Giants had soured. The Giants front office had lost confidence in Kent after an incident during spring training left him with a broken wrist. Kent had initially claimed that he had broken his wrist after slipping and falling while washing his truck; ensuing media reports indicated that, in reality, Kent had crashed his motorcycle while performing wheelies and other stunts, in direct violation of his contract. In addition, growing tension that had been developing between Kent and Bonds for years finally boiled over:
371-526: A batter. Tavárez played the rest of the 2004 postseason with a protective wrap in his glove, and when the glove was removed his hand was noticeably swollen. Tavárez suffered the loss against the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2004 World Series , giving up the game-winning home run to Mark Bellhorn in the eighth inning. A free agent following the 2005 season, Tavárez agreed to a two-year, $ 6.7 million deal with
424-801: A bench clearing brawl against the Giants. On May 5, Tavárez won a 20–1 decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers . He then recorded his first multi-hit game against Pittsburgh on July 24. On October 6, against the Pittsburgh Pirates , Tavárez struck out nine hitters and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before it was broken up by Mendy López . Tavárez was acquired by the Florida Marlins on March 27, 2002, along with minor league pitchers Jose Cueto and Dontrelle Willis and catcher Ryan Jorgensen in exchange for pitchers Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement . On May 16, he chose to pitch with
477-511: A black player's head. Now, however, baseball is fully integrated, and there is little to no racial tension between teammates. Between 1943 and 1954, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League fielded teams in several Midwestern towns. Juli%C3%A1n Tav%C3%A1rez Julián Tavárez Carmen (born May 22, 1973) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher . He played for 11 franchises over
530-576: A chain of motorcycle and ATV dealerships. Kent appeared as a contestant on the Summer 2009 television series Superstars , where he was teamed with actress Ali Landry in a series of sports competitions. They finished in fifth place in the competition. In 2012, Kent participated in Survivor: Philippines , the 25th season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor . He
583-579: A deal made prior to the 1996 trade deadline, the Mets sent Kent and José Vizcaíno to the Cleveland Indians for Álvaro Espinoza and Carlos Baerga . The following offseason, Kent was again traded, this time to the San Francisco Giants along with José Vizcaíno and Julián Tavárez . The San Francisco trade was initially very unpopular, as it sent Matt Williams , a longtime Giant and a fan-favorite, to
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#1732858132648636-504: A four-hitter against the Chicago Cubs and went on to post an NL best nine-game win streak on his way to a career high 11 wins. Tavárez signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs on November 16, 2000, and set career highs in innings , strikeouts , and games started after returning to a full-time starting role. On April 11, he executed a safety squeeze to record his first RBI . He was suspended from April 29 to May 4 for his part in
689-550: A full scholarship each year to one female student-athlete at UC Berkeley in perpetuity. In 2008, Kent donated to the campaign to ban same-sex marriage in California . Eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time in 2014 , Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voters gave Kent just 15.2% of their votes in his first year, well short of the 75% required for induction. Among 17 returnees to
742-406: A midseason fight in the Giants dugout was widely reported in 2002 and caught on television. The feud between the two was so bad that, at the end of the season, San Francisco Chronicle beat reporter Ray Ratto said of the two, "The one who lives longer will attend the other's funeral, just to make sure he's dead." The departure of manager Dusty Baker also factored into Kent's eventual decision to leave
795-590: A second baseman, the Mets were among the worst teams in the National League . Furthermore, he acquired a very poor reputation in the clubhouse, where he was known for a quick temper and isolationism. He refused to participate in his hazing ritual with the Mets, feeling he had left his rookie status back in Toronto. During the 1992 season, he started the only game of his career at shortstop in order to allow Willie Randolph to play his final career game at second base. In
848-628: A second baseman, the most in MLB history in either league; he is one of only two second baseman to hit 300 home runs at the position of second base. Kent and his wife Dana reside near Austin, Texas , where they raise their four children, a daughter and three sons. He also owns the 4,000-acre (1,600 ha) "Diamond K" cattle ranch near Tilden, Texas . In 2008, Kent purchased the Lakecliff Country Club in Spicewood, Texas . Kent also owns Kent Powersports,
901-419: A shoulder injury and allowed a career high ten earned runs . It began a stretch of five consecutive losses . He allowed 25 runs and a .391 opponents' batting average in the first inning. Tavárez was relegated to bullpen duty in 2003 after being signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent on January 28. During the season, he compiled a streak of 14.1 consecutive scoreless innings and ended
954-619: A specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada consists of the National League (founded in 1876) and the American League (founded in 1901). Historically, teams in one league never played teams in the other until the World Series , in which the champions of the two leagues played against each other. This changed in 1997 with
1007-572: A spring training instructor for the San Francisco Giants. He also coaches his sons' Little League teams, and in 2014 he became a volunteer assistant for Southwestern University 's baseball team. In 2011, Kent donated $ 100,000 and raised awareness to help reinstate the Cal baseball program , which was being cut for cost-saving purposes. In 2014, Kent announced the creation of the Jeff Kent Women Driven Scholarship Endowment to provide
1060-503: A three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to break a scoreless tie and put Houston ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals three games to two in the series. However, the Cardinals would win Games 6 and 7 in St. Louis to capture the pennant. On December 14, 2004, he signed a $ 21 million contract for three years with his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers. Kent started at second base for
1113-636: A two-year mission in Mexico . Kent's son, Colton, played his prep baseball at Lake Travis High School , in Austin, Texas. Colton signed to play college baseball at BYU , but transferred to the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) after a year at BYU. Kent's other son, Kaeden, currently plays baseball at Texas A&M University. Professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for
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#17328581326481166-518: Is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen. He drove in 90 or more runs from 1997 to 2005. Kent is a five-time All-Star, and his 560 career doubles put him in 30th on the all-time doubles list. Kent attended the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), where he played college baseball for the Golden Bears before being selected in the 20th round of the 1989 MLB draft by
1219-731: The College World Series . Kent was selected in the 20th round of the 1989 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays . After three seasons in the minor leagues, Kent was invited to spring training with the Blue Jays in 1992 and made the opening day roster. He made his debut on April 12 against the Baltimore Orioles and recorded his first career hit in his first career at-bat, a double in the 6th inning against José Mesa . He hit his first home run on April 14 against New York Yankees pitcher Lee Guetterman . He saw limited at-bats early in
1272-721: The Commissioner of Baseball . Operating outside the Minor League Baseball organization are many independent minor leagues such as the Atlantic League , American Association , Frontier League , and the feeder league to these the Empire Professional Baseball League . Japan has had professional baseball since the 1930s. Nippon Professional Baseball consists of two leagues, the Central League and
1325-550: The Los Angeles Dodgers . He pitched one-third of an inning and gave up two runs, one earned. On March 13, 2009, Tavárez signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals and was invited to Spring Training. When asked why he chose to sign with the Nationals, Tavárez acknowledged he had no other options: "Why did I sign with the Nationals? When you go to a club at 4 in the morning, and you're just waiting, waiting,
1378-738: The National League in the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Comerica Park , his fifth career All-Star selection and fourth career All-Star start. Kent became the first player in the history of the Dodgers–Giants rivalry to make and start the Midsummer Classic for both clubs. Joc Pederson has since joined this list. Kent had a good 2005 season, leading the Dodgers in batting average, on-base percentage , slugging , runs, hits , doubles, home runs and RBI (.289, .377, .512, 100, 160, 36, 29, and 105 respectively). While missing games early on in
1431-701: The Pacific League , each with six teams. South Korea has had professional baseball since 1982. There are 10 teams in KBO League . Taiwan has had professional baseball since the 1990s. The Chinese Professional Baseball League absorbed Taiwan Major League in 2003. There are currently 6 teams in the CPBL. Other Asian leagues include three now defunct leagues, the China National Baseball League , Israel Baseball League , and Baseball Philippines . During
1484-624: The Texas Rangers . During his time in Canton-Akron, Tavárez won Carolina League Player of the Year honors and was named the league's top prospect by Baseball America . Tavárez was demoted to Triple-A Charlotte in 1994, where he led the International League in wins. He did make one spot start for Cleveland that year. Tavárez was sent to the bullpen in 1995, which was a breakout year for him. He
1537-506: The 2006 season because of an oblique injury, he came back late in the season and helped the Dodgers reach the postseason. After the 2005 season, Kent signed an extension that would take him to the 2008 season. His last major league at-bat took place on October 15, 2008 in game five of the 2008 NLCS , in which he struck out looking against Cole Hamels to end the 7th inning. Following 2008, Kent announced his retirement from baseball on January 22, 2009. In 2,298 games over 17 seasons, Kent posted
1590-647: The Blue Jays. Born in Bellflower, California , Kent graduated from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California , where he was dismissed from the baseball team after clashing with his coach over a position change. Kent played college baseball at UC Berkeley from 1987 to 1989. In 1988 he played both collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and
1643-542: The Boston Red Sox on January 18, 2006. On March 27, 2006, Tavárez was suspended for the first ten games of his Red Sox career as a result of a fistfight that broke out between him and Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Joey Gathright during a spring training game. Although he had a poor year as a relief pitcher, injuries forced the Sox to use him as a starter for the last few weeks of the season. In 6 starts, he went 3–0 with
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1696-629: The Class A Burlington Indians where he led the league in shutouts and hit batsmen . Tavárez progressed rapidly the following year, playing in Kinston, Canton-Akron, and finally with the Cleveland Indians. He was named the Indians' 1994 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the " Lou Boudreau Award"). Tavarez made his major league debut on August 6, 1993, and earned his first win on August 14, against
1749-517: The Giants. During the 2002 offseason, Kent signed a two-year, $ 19.9 million deal with the Houston Astros , citing his desire to be closer to his family's Texas ranch. Kent turned one of the outs and collected an assist during a triple play on August 19, 2004 , against Philadelphia , when Todd Pratt grounded out with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Kent forced Marlon Byrd out at second base before throwing Pratt out at first base. It
1802-524: The Indians. Brian Sabean , in his first year as general manager of the Giants, was so widely criticized for the move that he famously defended himself to the media by saying, "I am not an idiot." Kent's career took off in San Francisco, starting in 1997. Immediately inserted in the line-up behind superstar Barry Bonds , and with the confidence of manager Dusty Baker , Kent finally rose to his full potential, hitting .250 with 29 home runs and 121 RBI . He
1855-547: The Pirates on August 20, 2004, after an accusation of having a "foreign substance" on his cap. He served an eight-day suspension for the incident. Tavárez posted a 2.61 ERA in nine postseason games, but suffered breaks in his left ring finger and fifth metacarpal after punching a bullpen phone in the dugout following being removed from Game 4 of the NLCS . He had allowed a solo home run to Carlos Beltrán , issued two walks , and hit
1908-462: The United States and Canada. The minor leagues are divided into classes AAA, AA, High-A, A, and Rookie. These minor-league divisions are affiliated with major league teams, and serve to develop young players and rehabilitate injured major-leaguers. "Affiliated baseball" (archaically, " organized baseball ") is often applied as an umbrella term for all leagues — major and minor — under the authority of
1961-547: The advent of interleague play . The Philadelphia Phillies , founded in 1883, are the oldest continuous same-name, same-city franchise in both Major League Baseball and all of American professional sports. In addition to the major leagues, many North American cities and towns feature minor league teams. An organization officially styled Minor League Baseball , formerly the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, oversees nearly all minor league baseball in
2014-470: The ballot in 2015, Kent was one of only three who saw a decrease in support, dropping to 14.0%. His support increased in subsequent elections, reaching 32.7% in 2022 , his ninth appearance on the ballot. In 2023, his tenth and final appearance on the BBWAA ballot, he received 46.5%, falling short of the necessary threshold. Kent's underperformance relative to his offensive prowess has been attributed to poor defense,
2067-527: The best he's ever been associated with. While he was not on Boston's postseason roster, he received a World Series ring following Boston's sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series . On May 11, 2008, Tavárez was designated for assignment . He later accepted an assignment to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox even though he could have opted for free agency. Later that month, he
2120-530: The club, Tavárez led the National League with 89 appearances, while also setting a club record in the statistic. He had a stretch of 24 consecutive scoreless games and appeared in all three games of the NLDS against the Florida Marlins . Tavárez recorded his first save on May 14, 1998, with a three-inning outing against the Montreal Expos . He also was placed on the disabled list for the first time after straining
2173-509: The course of a 17–season Major League Baseball (MLB) career from 1993 to 2009. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 165 pounds (75 kg), he threw right-handed and batted left-handed. Tavárez began his professional career on March 16, 1990, signing a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization. For two years, he was a starter for the Dominican Summer League Indians. In 1991, he joined
Jeff Kent - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-521: The fact that Bonds overshadowed Kent in almost every offensive category, it was Kent's clutch hitting in RBI spots that won many games for the Giants that year, and ultimately won him the award. The Giants finished first in the NL West at 97–65, but lost to the Mets in the National League Division Series 3–1. In 2002, Kent had another stellar year for a second baseman (37 home runs, 108 RBI, .313 batting average, and
2279-590: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, players of black African descent were barred from playing the major leagues , though several did manage to play by claiming to be Cubans or Native Americans . As a result, a number of parallel Negro leagues were formed. However, after Jackie Robinson began playing with the major-league Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, the Negro leagues gradually faded. The process of integration did not go entirely smoothly; there were some ugly incidents, including pitchers who would try to throw directly at
2332-569: The rotation for the Red Sox top pitching prospect Jon Lester while he recovered from cancer . However, with Lester struggling in Triple-A and Tavárez pitching well, he kept his spot in the rotation through the All-Star break. After a stretch of poor starts, 0–4 with a 7.79 ERA, he was moved to the bullpen on July 22, 2007, and replaced in the rotation by Lester. Tavárez called the 2007 Red Sox pitching staff
2385-506: The season with a career-high 11 saves, allowing only nine of 35 inherited runners to score. Tavárez signed a two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on January 9, 2004. He earned his first win with St. Louis against the Cincinnati Reds , striking out the side in the 10th inning, and went on to surpass 1,000 career innings pitched in August. Tavárez was ejected from a game against
2438-448: The season; however, an injury to starting third baseman Kelly Gruber granted Kent a more regular role in the line-up. Kent was traded to the Mets on August 27, 1992, for pitcher David Cone , as Toronto bolstered their pitching rotation for a successful World Series run ; Kent earned a World Series ring despite the trade. Kent's time with the Mets was marked with some success and some failure. Although he batted well, particularly for
2491-429: The tainted era he played in, and his reputation as a negative presence in the locker room. Kent and his wife, Dana, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . His daughter, Lauren, and his eldest son, Hunter, both attended Brigham Young University ( BYU ) in Provo, Utah. Lauren graduated from BYU in December 2017, and Hunter played on the practice squad for the Cougars, before taking leave to serve
2544-407: Was Houston's first triple play turned in 13 years. From May 14 to June 11, he collected a hit in 25 straight games, which set a new franchise record; Willy Taveras topped his mark in 2006. On October 2, 2004, he hit his 288th home run as a second baseman, surpassing Ryne Sandberg as the all-time home run leader at that position. In Game 5 of the 2004 National League Championship Series , Kent hit
2597-439: Was consistently among the top RBI hitters in the league over his next five seasons with the Giants, amassing 689 RBI over six years. He also won the 1998 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. Kent's contributions were recognized in 2000 (33 home runs, 125 RBI, .334 batting average , and a .986 fielding percentage ) with the National League MVP Award , beating out teammate and perennial MVP candidate Barry Bonds. Despite
2650-408: Was first in wins, third in innings pitched , and fifth in ERA among American League relief pitchers and threw 4.1 scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves in the World Series . Tavárez was the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year , but finished sixth in the ballot by the Baseball Writers' Association of America . The 1996 season was Tavárez' final year with Cleveland. He
2703-433: Was released. On May 27, 2008, Tavárez signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for the remainder of the 2008 season. On June 19, Tavárez was designated for assignment, and rejected an outright assignment to the minors, opting instead to be released from his contract. Tavárez signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves on July 8, 2008, for the remainder of the 2008 season. On that day, he made his Braves debut against
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#17328581326482756-437: Was suspended for three days after a brawl in Milwaukee and spent two weeks in Triple-A Buffalo before appearing in the ALDS . Tavárez was traded to the San Francisco Giants on November 13, 1996, along with infielders Jeff Kent and José Vizcaíno and a player to be named (pitcher Joe Roa ) in exchange for third baseman Matt Williams and a player to be named ( outfielder Trenidad Hubbard ). In his first year with
2809-414: Was the ninth contestant voted off, which placed him tenth and made him the second member of the jury, giving him a right to vote for the eventual winner at the Final Tribal Council. When he was voted off, Kent claimed that the million dollar prize was "six hundred grand by the time Obama takes it". He has been an advocate for Major League Baseball using blood tests for HGH . Since 2011, Kent has served as
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