Get ready for a summer of baseball nostalgia, because the Dodgers are about to see one of their own, Jeff Kent, enshrined in the Hall of Fame. But here's the real question: could any of his former teammates join him in Cooperstown?
Kent, the all-time home run leader among second basemen, spent the final four years of his illustrious career with the Dodgers, a move he cherished for its proximity to his Southern California roots. At a recent press conference, Kent fondly recalled, 'It was a great opportunity to come back home. I even bought front-row tickets for my parents to watch me play every day.' His time in L.A. wasn't just about the games; it was about reconnecting with his roots, which he credits for extending his career to age 40.
While Kent is the first confirmed member of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, several other Dodgers alumni are on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot, released in November. And this is the part most people miss: out of the 12 newcomers, only Matt Kemp and Howie Kendrick played for the Dodgers, while five holdovers—Bobby Abreu, Andruw Jones, Manny Ramirez, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley—also have L.A. ties.
To make it into the Hall, players need to appear on 75% of the ballots, with a 10-year eligibility window and a minimum 5% vote each year to stay in the running. The 2026 results will be announced on January 20 on MLB Network. But here's where it gets controversial: while Andruw Jones seems to have the best shot this cycle—with 66.2% of the vote in 2025 and two years left—his Dodgers tenure was relatively brief and less impactful compared to his time with the Braves. Is that enough to secure his spot?
Chase Utley, another strong contender, spent his prime years with the Phillies but finished his career with the Dodgers (2015-18), earning 39.8% of the vote in his second year on the ballot. Meanwhile, Manny Ramirez, in his final year of eligibility, Bobby Abreu, and Jimmy Rollins have stalled in recent voting cycles. Could this be their last chance?
Matt Kemp, a fan favorite in L.A., faces an uphill battle in his first year on the ballot despite a stellar Dodgers career, including a second-place finish in NL MVP voting in 2011. Injuries and trades later in his career may have dimmed his Hall of Fame prospects. Howie Kendrick, though solid with the Dodgers, is better remembered for his grand slam against them in the 2019 NLDS—a moment that sealed the Nationals' World Series run. Does that overshadow his Hall of Fame case?
As we await the 2026 results, one thing is clear: the Dodgers' legacy in Cooperstown is far from over. But which of these players truly deserves a spot? What do you think? Who should join Kent in the Hall of Fame, and who gets left out? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
