Running through Ex-Dodgers on the 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot

Chone Figgins

Figgins barely qualifies as a Dodger, having just 76 plate appearances with the team in 2014. He also barely qualifies as a Hall of Fame candidate. The speedy utility man swiped 341 bases over his 12-year career, with his most productive seasons during his eight-year tenure with the crosstown Angels. Although he put up solid on-base numbers, his 35 career homers and overall lack of credentials won’t guarantee his stay on the ballot will last longer than one year.

Rafael Furcal

The first player on this list who actually spent a significant portion of their career in LA, Furcal spent six seasons with the Dodgers after signing a free-agent contract in 2005. He initially brought the speed and contact skills he displayed in Atlanta, however, back injuries limited his playing time and production. Over fourteen seasons he totaled a whopping 39.4 WAR, 1,817 hits, 314 stolen bases, and a .281 average. He was also named NL Rookie of the Year in 2000 with the Braves, made three All-Star teams, and turned the 12th unassisted triple play in MLB history. Furcal was a Dodger favorite in the mid 2000’s and undoubtedly had a nice career, but 2020 may be his only year on the ballot.

Jeff Kent

A San Fransico Giant in the eyes of many, Jeff Kent spent his final four seasons in LA, and despite his age, remained a steady contributor. He turned 40 during his time with the Dodgers but was still an import presence, both in the lineup and in the clubhouse. Prior to his arrival in LA, Kent put up solid if not spectacular numbers, bouncing around four different teams. However, after joining the Giants in 1997, he turned into a full-fledged hitting machine, even taking home NL MVP honors in 2000. He was a .290 hitter over a 17-year career. He hit 560 doubles and holds the record for home runs by a second baseman with 377. Kent hasn’t fared too well through his first six years of eligibility, not yet reaching 20% of the vote, likely due to the offensive era he played in and his less than stellar defense. Barring a drastic change, Jeff Kent will remain outside of Cooperstown, but he would have my vote.

Gary Sheffield

Much like Manny, Sheffield would almost certainly be enshrined already if it weren’t for the surrounding controversy. Sheffield was one of the premier hitters in the game before arriving in Los Angeles. Although he was at the top of his game with the Dodgers (.312 average with 129 homers in parts of four seasons), he is perhaps best known for his feud with Dodger management. He openly criticized teammates and front office personnel, and was shipped to Atlanta prior to the 2002 season. Sheffield continue to hit wherever he went, piling up 509 homers and a .291 average over 22 seasons, but questions of his character have left him languishing at under 14% of the vote. A great career marred by racist remarks and PED allegations, Sheffield probably won’t be attending any enshrinement ceremonies anytime soon.

Paul Konerko

After failing to leave an impression in two call-ups with the Dodgers, Konerko was traded to Cincinnati and then promptly shipped to the White Sox. Both clubs that moved on from him would quickly come to regret it, as Konerko became one of the best first basemen of the 2000s and early 2010s. Although he never had any real eye-popping years, he was a consistent home run and RBI threat, totaling 13 20+ homer and 9 90+ RBI seasons. It’ll be interesting to see how Konerko fares on the ballot, as analytical-minded voters won’t like his low WAR and JAWS numbers, but more traditional voters will value his 2000+ hits and 400+ homers, as well as the fact he was part of a memorable World Series-winning team. He spent all 16 years of his MLB career with one team.