Revisiting the Jeff Kent Shunning

Jeff Kent was the first player who declined my interview request.  We were on the field at Dodger Stadium well before the game was to start.  At the time, abtting practice hadn't even begun and a handful of players had just reached the field and started lightly stretching.
After nabbing interviews with Hall of Fame broadcasters Jon Miller and Peter Gammons and coaches Larry Bowa and Mike Easler, I was feeling good.  I approached Kent and was shot down.  Kent said he had to take bp (although it hadn't started yet).
I actually like Kent and think he has a shot at the Hall of Fame.  I must be impartial though, as I present the splits for his 2008 season before and after shunning Johngy's Beat.
Before the shun, in 52 games, Kent hit .257, with 8 HR's, 28 rbi's and 28 runs scored.
After the shun, in 69 games, Kent hit .296, with 4 HR's, 28 rbi's, 21 runs scored and was 0-1 in stolen base attempt.
Kent's average did go up, but his production certainly went down.  Kent probably suffered the least effects from the shun, but still suffered.
Did the effects of the shun push Kent to retire?  He was only 23 HR's away from 400.  If he would have kept his pre-shun pace, he would have finished 2008 with around 382, only 18 away from the magical 400.
It might be a close call on his Hall of Fame enshrinement.  It isn't a close call on the Shun Splits, though, as it now stands Johngy's Beat 5, players (Kent, Torre, Byrd, Jenks and Manny) 0.

Jeff Kent in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.

Shunned By Jeff Kent

Since I started doing interviews, people have often asked the usual questions. They want to know who has been nice, mean, funny etc. I have told many stories of very nice, accommodating celebrities. Today, I am highlighting a not-so-accommodating player.
When we were in Los Angeles, I got a lot of good material. I started to feel good and tried to 'up' my game a bit more.
I approached Jeff Kent and asked if I could just ask a couple questions. He barely acknowledged me and muttered that he needed to hit.
Look at the picture. Does it look like any real hitting was happening? Coach Larry Bowa is hitting fungos. My friend Chuck and I actually helped him with retrieving errant throws back from the infielders.
I don't really remember what Kent did next, but I know he didn't take major batting practice.
Don't get me wrong though. Kent had every right to turn down my request. In fact, he did not even have to give me a reason. However, if I left it at that, there would be no post today.
I do think Kent could have given me 30 seconds without it messing up his day. It was well before game time and most players weren't even out on the field. Coach Bowa and Coach Mike Easler were actually joking around with Chuck and me while they were doing their duties.
Actually, I like Kent. I have liked him ever since he broke into the majors as a skinny second baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays. I also think he will get into the Hall of Fame at some point (and then I will probably me more upset that he screwed me out of an interview with a Hall of Famer!).

Jeff Kent and me (and Larry Bowa) in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA-June 2008.