Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent Headline Hall of Fame Class with Dodgers Ties
The 2025 Hall of Fame class is set, and while it won’t be a full-on Dodger reunion in Cooperstown, a couple of familiar names will be making the trip. Andruw Jones, who spent one season patrolling center field in Los Angeles during his 17-year career, earned his long-awaited call to the Hall. He’ll be joined by former Dodgers infielder Jeff Kent, who was elected through the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
Jones crossed the 75% threshold in his ninth year on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot, receiving 333 votes out of 425 cast - good for 78.4%. It’s a milestone moment for a player whose defensive brilliance in center field defined an era, and whose power at the plate often flew under the radar. While his time in Dodger blue was brief, his impact on the game was anything but.
Carlos Beltrán also earned induction, receiving 358 votes (84.2%) in his fourth year on the ballot. The two will be enshrined during Induction Weekend in Cooperstown, July 24-27, with the official ceremony taking place July 26 on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center.
They’ll share the stage with Kent, who was selected last month by the 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. Kent, a five-time All-Star and 2000 National League MVP, spent four seasons with the Dodgers and remains one of the most productive offensive second basemen the game has seen. He received 14 votes from the committee, surpassing the 75% mark needed for induction.
Dodgers Representation on the Ballot
Eight former Dodgers appeared on the BBWAA ballot this cycle, but Jones was the lone inductee from that group. Chase Utley, in his first year of eligibility, led the rest of the pack with 251 votes (59.1%). That’s a solid debut, and it puts him on a trajectory that could lead to eventual induction if his support continues to grow.
Manny Ramírez, whose time in L.A. was as electric as it was polarizing, received 165 votes (38.8%) in his 10th and final year on the BBWAA ballot. With that chapter closed, his only remaining path to Cooperstown lies with the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates players whose greatest impact came from 1980 onward and who are no longer eligible through the writers' vote.
Bobby Abreu, another player with a brief Dodgers stint, earned 131 votes (30.8%) in his seventh year on the ballot. He’s still got some runway left, but the climb is steep. Jimmy Rollins (25.4%) and Cole Hamels (23.8%) also held on, while Howie Kendrick didn’t receive a single vote, ending his candidacy on the writers' ballot.
Matt Kemp, once the face of the Dodgers and a two-time All-Star, made his ballot debut with just two votes (0.5%). It’s a tough start for a player who, at his peak, was among the most dynamic in the league. But as we’ve seen before, Hall of Fame momentum can shift over time - especially with the Era Committees offering a second look.
Contemporary Era Committee: Kent Gets His Due
For Jeff Kent, the wait is finally over. After falling short during his 10 years on the BBWAA ballot, Kent found a path to Cooperstown through the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. His candidacy had long sparked debate - his offensive numbers, especially for a second baseman, were undeniable, but his sometimes prickly relationship with the media may have slowed his progress.
Now, with 14 votes from the 16-person panel, Kent becomes the lone player elected by the committee this cycle. That means big names like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela will have to wait - again. The committee’s vote is a reminder of how complex Hall of Fame cases can be, especially for players whose careers intersected with baseball’s most controversial eras.
Looking Ahead
As the Hall of Fame prepares to celebrate its newest members this summer, the Dodgers’ legacy will be well represented. Jones and Kent may have worn Dodger blue for only part of their careers, but their impact on the game is undeniable. Utley’s strong debut suggests there could be more Dodger-linked inductees in the near future, and the Era Committee remains a possible path for players like Ramírez and Kemp.
For now, it’s time to celebrate the careers of two players who left their mark on the game - and to look ahead to what’s shaping up to be another intriguing Hall of Fame cycle in 2027.