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Jeff was a star player at the University of California, Berkeley prior to being drafted in the 20th of the 1989 amateur draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Jeff was noted throughout College for his rigorous work ethic and passion for the game, but also for his rifts with the team manager. Jeff had also had a rift with his high school baseball coach; he was booted off the team as a result.
After three season's in the minor leagues, Jeff was invited to spring training in 1992 with the Jays and made the opening day roster. Jeff made his debut on April 12 but saw limited at-bats early in the season; however, an injury to starting third baseman Kelly Gruber granted Kent a more regular role in the line-up.
Jeff was traded on August 27 to the New York Mets along with a player to be named later (Ryan Thompson) for David Cone. It was a deal decried by both Toronto and New York fans. Many Toronto fans felt the club was compromising their future and that Jeff had earned the starting job at third base; many New York fans could not bear to see the fan-favourite Cone let go.
Jeff's time with the Mets was marked with some success and some failure. Although he batted well, particularly for a second baseman, the Mets were among the worst teams in the National League. Furthermore, he acquired a poor reputation in the clubhouse where he was known for a quick temper and isolationism.
Jeff was the part of two trades in 1996. He was traded at the trade deadline to the Cleveland Indians and traded in the off-season to the San Francisco GiantsBaseball teams The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California. They are in the Western Division of the National League. Founded either 1879 or 1883. The Troy Haymakers (or sometimes Trojans) were expelled from.
Jeff's career took off in San Francisco. Immediately inserted in the line-up behind superstar Barry BondsBarry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. He holds the record for most homers in a season with 73, and is third on the career and with the confidence of manager Dusty BakerJohnnie "Dusty" Baker, Jr. born June 15, 1949 in Riverside, California) is a successful manager in Major League Baseball. After having led the San Francisco Giants in 2002 to the World Series, where they were defeated by the Anaheim Angels, he guided the, Jeff rose to his potential, hitting .250 with 29 HRs and 121 RBIs. Jeff was consistently among the top RBI hitters in the league over his next five seasons with the Giants, amassing 689 RBIs over six years. His contributions were recognized in 2000This page is about the year 2000. See 2000 AD for the UK comic book, Number 2000 for other uses. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar), and also the International Year for a Culture of Peace''. Events Y2K passes without the seri with the National League MVP Award, beating out teammate and perennial MVP-candidate Bonds.
In 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U, Jeff signed a two-year $18.2-million deal with the Houston AstrosBaseball teams The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. They are in the Central Division of the National League. Founded 1962 ( National League expansion) Formerly known as Houston Colt. 45s ( 1962- 1964). The team chan despite having been a part of a near World SeriesIn baseball, the World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball in North America, played in October after the end of the regular season between the pennant winner of the American League and the pennant winner of the National League. championship with the Giants in 20022002 is a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). 2002 was the first palindromic year since 1991 and the last until 2112. 2002 was also designated: International Year of Ecotourism and Mountains National Science Year in the United Kingdom. The move surprised many casual fans, but was no surprise to the few who had seen the growing tension between Kent and Bonds. Many felt the team was too small for two attitudes that big. The departure of manager Dusty Baker, who had first placed trust in Kent, may have also factored into the decision.
On October 2, 2004, Kent hit his 278th home run as a second baseman, surpassing Ryne Sandberg as the all-time home run leader at that position.