The San Francisco Giants are set to retire Jeff Kent’s No. 21 jersey next season, honoring one of the most productive second basemen in franchise-and MLB-history. The announcement follows Kent’s induction into the Hall of Fame, a long-awaited recognition for a player whose bat consistently spoke louder than the headlines around him.
Kent’s best years came in a Giants uniform, and there’s no disputing the impact he had during his six-season run in San Francisco from 1997 to 2002. He wasn’t just a complementary piece next to Barry Bonds-he was a force in his own right.
Kent racked up RBI totals that rivaled the game’s best sluggers, won the 2000 NL MVP, and brought a hard-nosed edge to the middle of the Giants’ lineup. His production at second base was rare then, and it’s still rare now.
Unlike Buster Posey’s No. 28, which has been unofficially off-limits since his retirement, Kent’s No. 21 saw plenty of turnover after he left the Bay. In fact, a long list of players have worn it over the years-some briefly, others with memorable flashes. Let’s take a look back at the names who carried No. 21 on their backs before the Giants decided to retire it for good.
Ruben Rivera was the first to inherit Kent’s number in 2003. A once highly touted prospect, Rivera’s time in San Francisco was short and forgettable-he hit just .180 in what turned out to be his final season in the big leagues.
Carlos Valderrama also made a brief appearance in that same 2003 season. He logged just seven at-bats and one hit in his only MLB stint.
Eric Young, the veteran speedster, wore No. 21 in 2003 as well. He played in 26 games for the Giants during the tail end of his career.
Tony Torcato, a former first-round pick, bounced around the roster from 2002 to 2005, wearing four different numbers along the way-including No. 21 in 2004.
Jason Ellison took the number in 2006 and played in 86 games that year. He brought some speed and versatility to the outfield but hit just .222.
Ryan Klesko, known more for his time with the Padres and Braves, wrapped up his career in San Francisco in 2007 wearing No. 21. He brought veteran presence to the clubhouse, even if his on-field impact was modest.
John Bowker wore the number in 2008 and 2009, flashing some power early but ultimately never quite finding consistency at the plate.
Then came Freddy Sanchez, one of the more memorable names on this list. Acquired midseason in 2009, Sanchez played a pivotal role in the Giants’ 2010 World Series run.
His three doubles in Game 1 of the Fall Classic set the tone for a dominant series. Unfortunately, injuries-particularly to his back-cut short what could’ve been a longer Giants tenure.
Still, he wore No. 21 with distinction.
Nick Noonan had two separate stints in the number, first in 2013 and again in 2015. He hit .219 in 62 games during his first go-around, and while his time in San Francisco was limited, he was part of a deep and ever-rotating infield bench.
Between Noonan’s appearances, Tony Abreu wore No. 21 in 2014. Though he didn’t record a hit in his three games that year, he did earn a World Series ring as part of the championship squad.
Conor Gillaspie brought a bit of magic back to the number in 2016. His go-ahead three-run homer in the Wild Card game against the Mets felt like a scene straight out of October folklore. He followed it up with a clutch triple in Game 3 of the NLDS, briefly becoming a postseason hero before the Giants’ bullpen woes ended their run in Game 4.
Stephen Vogt, now the manager of the Cleveland Guardians, wore No. 21 in 2019. With Buster Posey sidelined for much of that season, Vogt stepped in and delivered both leadership and production behind the plate.
Joey Bart, once seen as Posey’s heir apparent, donned No. 21 during his time with the Giants in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Despite the high expectations, things never quite clicked for Bart in San Francisco, and he’s now with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Aaron Sanchez, a key part of the rotation during the Giants’ surprise 2021 season, posted a 3.06 ERA in nine appearances while wearing No. 21. He helped stabilize the staff during a year when everything seemed to go right.
Blake Sabol initially wore No. 2 in his rookie year, but after the Giants brought in Jorge Soler, he made the switch to 21.
The final player to wear No. 21 before its retirement? Andrew Knizner, a catcher who joined the long list of backstops to sport the number in recent years. It’s a fun trivia nugget for Giants fans-Knizner will go down as the last to wear Kent’s number before it was officially taken out of circulation.
Now, with Kent headed to Cooperstown, the Giants are doing what feels long overdue: giving No. 21 the honor it deserves. For a player who redefined offensive expectations at second base and helped carry the franchise through a pivotal era, it’s a fitting tribute. And for Giants fans, it’s a chance to reflect not just on Kent’s legacy, but on the winding path that number took before finding its permanent home in the rafters.