Kent Beats Bonds for NL MVP Award
N E W Y O R K, Nov. 16 -- San Francisco’s Jeff Kent beat out teammateBarry Bonds to win the National League Most Valuable Player Awardtoday, becoming the first second baseman to win the award in 16years.
Kent received 22 first-place votes, five seconds, four thirdsand one fourth for 392 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’Association of America.
Bonds, a three-time MVP winner, got six first-place votes and279 points to give the NL West-champion Giants the first 1-2 finishfor a team in the NL MVP since Bonds and Bobby Bonilla did it forPittsburgh in 1990.
“There is no doubt I wouldn’t be doing the things I’m doing without him [Bonds],” Kent said. “The way he gets on base gives me opportunities to drive in runs. You can’t really ask for a better guy to hit in front of you than Barry. I complement him as well.I’ve earned the respect of opponents that they now pitch toBarry.”
Mets catcher Mike Piazza was the only other player named on all32 ballots, finishing with three first-place votes and 271 points.
“I’m floored that people across the country recognized theGiants and more specifically recognized me,” Kent said. “I wasgoing against tremendous, quality talent in Barry Bonds, ToddHelton, Jim Edmonds and Mike Piazza. I’m losing my breathmentioning guys like that. To win the award by that margin … ”
Breaks RBIs Record
Kent hit .334 with 33 homers and 125 RBIs this season,solidifying himself as one of the best offensive second basemen inbaseball. His 475 RBIs the last four seasons broke Rogers Hornsby’s 75-year-old record for most at the position over such a span.
“I’m not big on personal achievements,” Kent said late this season. “It’s great to produce, but only if the team is winning. If it isn’t, it really means nothing.”
Chiefly because of the second baseman’s RBI total and knack forclutch hits, manager Dusty Baker said Kent would have gotten hisMVP vote, not Bonds, perhaps swaying voters. Bonds also had praisefor his teammate.
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