Jeff Kent’s Hall of Fame election raises questions about Contemporary Era Committee process

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Baseball Hall of Fame’s doors swung open for Jeff Kent this week, but remain firmly shut for sluggers like Albert Belle, leaving many baseball observers scratching their heads at what appears to be a glaring double standard.

Kent, the all-time home run leader among second basemen with 377 career homers, gained election through the Contemporary Era Committee after spending 10 years on the writers’ ballot without getting more than 46% of the vote. His election represents a stunning reversal for a player many thought would never make it to Cooperstown.

“Kind of a surprise selection,” Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes noted on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “When Kent was on the BBWA ballot, I voted for him, but he never got more than 46% of the vote over his 10 year st