Jeff Kent - Timeline

Astros Trades & Transactions

Dec 18, 2002: Signed Jeff Kent(IF) as a free agent

This Date in Astros History

Mar 7, 1968: Jeff Kent is born in Bellflower, CA. The former National League MVP bats .292 and averages 24 homers and 100 RBIs during his two seasons in Houston (2003,2004). He also provides one of the most memorable homers in Astros playoff history to win Game 5 of the 2004 N.L.C.S.

Dec 18, 2002: Infielder Jeff Kent signs a two-year $18 million dollar contract with Houston. The former MVP, it is announced, will replace Craig Biggio at second base with Biggio set to move to an outfield spot after a decade at second for the Astros.

Apr 1, 2003: Former N.L. MVP Jeff Kent homers in his first at bat as a Houston Astro, leading a 10-4 mauling of the Rockies. Jeff Bagwell tops that with two home runs while Geoff Blum goes deep and drives in three. Roy Oswalt survives a shaky start for the victory.

Aug 19, 2003: Jeff Kent smashes a home run and drives in six to pace a 12-8 slugfest over the Chicago Cubs in Houston. His shot off Matt Clement snaps a 5-5 tie. Lance Berkman also delivers three hits. The victory keeps Houston a game in front of St. Louis for the division lead while the Cubs lurk just 1-1/2 games behind.

Aug 26, 2003: Jeff Kent homers and drives in five to pace an 18-4 explosion over the Dodgers. Brad Ausmus plates four. Jeff Bagwell also goes deep. Ron Villone wins his sixth of the year.

Sep 1, 2003: Jeff Kent belts a grand slam and drives in six as Houston bombs Los Angeles, 10-1. Brad Ausmus adds a home run. Wade Miller ups his record to 12-11. The Astros tie St. Louis for the Central Division lead while Chicago lurks just 1-1/2 games behind.

Sep 16, 2003: Richard Hidalgo blasts three homers and drives in five to lead a 14-4 slugfest over the Rockies at Coors Field. Adam Everett, Morgan Ensberg and Jeff Kent join him in the home run derby. Jeriome Robertson wins his 15th, a Houston rookie record, to keep the Astros 1-1/2 games ahead of Chicago in the N.L. Central race.

Apr 7, 2004: What retirement? 41-year-old Roger Clemens makes his debut as an Astro a memorable one, blanking the Giants on one hit over seven innings to earn his 311th career victory, a 10-1 blowout. Homers by Richard Hidalgo, Jeff Bagwell and Jeff Kent support The Rocket who fans nine, including slugger Barry Bonds twice. Clemens also singles in his first at-bat as a National Leaguer.

Jun 11, 2004: Jeff Kent doubles in the second inning to set the club's hitting streak record at 25 games. He's gunned down attempting to steal third, however, and Milwaukee emerges with a 9-3 decision as Scott Podsednik homers and drives in four.

Jul 13, 2004: Houston hosts the All-Star Game for the third time. Four Astros are named to the National League team and three start but the American League leaves with a 9-4 victory, buoyed by a six-run first inning off Roger Clemens. Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran single before the Minute Maid Park crowd while Lance Berkman mans center field. Local fans boo manager Jimy Williams when he is introduced. It will be the last time as he and two coaches are fired the next day. Former Astro infielder Phil Garner is named interim manager.

Aug 19, 2004: First the Astros turn a triple play then turn around a huge deficit in a 12-10 triumph in Philadelphia. The trifecta goes 5-4-3 off the bat of Todd Pratt in the fifth with Morgan Ensberg touching third, tossing to Jeff Kent at second for the force and Kent relaying to Mike Lamb at first to end the inning. But the Phils led 7-2. Next came a three-homer Houston assault in the seventh with Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman launching two-run shots before Eric Bruntlett topped them with a three-run blast for a 10-7 lead. A two-run double from Kent is needed to survive the final rally, giving Chad Qualls his first major league win. Lamb also steals home.

Aug 27, 2004: Carlos Beltran's two home runs lead a five-dinger barrage as Houston clubs the Cubs, 15-7. Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent and Lance Berkman also supply the long ball. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th despite harassment from Chicago's Michael Barrett who is still upset over being hit by Oswalt the previous weekend in Houston. Oswalt is plunked by Kent Mercker but nobody is tossed despite the war of words.

Aug 31, 2004: Given up for dead, the Astros win their fifth straight to creep back within three games of the National League wild card lead. The home run bats go to work in an 8-0 triumph as Jeff Kent goes deep twice while Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman go back-to-back-to-back in the fourth off Aaron Harang. Brandon Backe gets the shutout with help from three relievers. Houston still needs to overtake four other teams in order to get back to the postseason.

Sep 26, 2004: Backup catcher Raul Chavez drives in five as Houston outslugs Milwaukee, 11-7. Morgan Ensberg adds four hits. Jeff Kent and Lance Berkman go deep. The Astros are 1-1/2 games behind the Cubs in the hunt for the final playoff berth.

Oct 2, 2004: Roy Oswalt becomes the National League's only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark. They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home.

Oct 10, 2004: Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. with a chance to advance. Then Chad Qualls gives up a three-run homer to Adam Laroche and the Braves push across the winning run in the ninth to steal a 6-5 verdict and fly back to Atlanta for a decisive fifth game. Jeff Kent rolls into a double play with two men on in the bottom of the ninth to end a painful day - made worse by the news of ex-teammate Ken Caminiti's death in New York at age 41.

Oct 13, 2004: A six-run sixth inning puts the Cardinals out of reach as they outslug the Astros, 10-7, in Game One of the N.L.C.S. in St. Louis. Brandon Backe and Chad Qualls are torched by the league's most potent offense, despite receiving home run support from Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Jeff Kent and Mike Lamb.

Oct 16, 2004: Roger Clemens cools off the Cardinal bats with seven innings of four-hit ball as the Astros win Game Three of the N.L.C.S., 5-2. Jeff Kent homers in the opening frame and Houston nurses a 3-2 advantage until Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman drill solo shots to give the bullpen some breathing room. St. Louis still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1.

Oct 18, 2004: In a classic postseason pitching duel, Houston's Brandon Backe and St. Louis' Woody Williams trade one-hit performances over the first seven innings. Backe keeps his no-hit bid until a two-out single by Tony Womack in the sixth and allows just that for eight innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Kent belts a mammoth three-run homer off Jason Isringhausen to send the crowd into delirium, a 3-0 triumph in Game Five and a 3-2 lead in the N.L.C.S., needing just one win in Missouri to reach the World Series.

Mar 7, 1968:	Jeff Kent is born in Bellflower, CA. The former National League MVP bats .292 and averages 24 homers and 100 RBIs during his two seasons in Houston (2003,2004). He also provides one of the most memorable homers in Astros playoff history to win Game 5 of the 2004 N.L.C.S.
Dec 18, 2002:	Infielder Jeff Kent signs a two-year $18 million dollar contract with Houston. The former MVP, it is announced, will replace Craig Biggio at second base with Biggio set to move to an outfield spot after a decade at second for the Astros.
Apr 1, 2003:	Former N.L. MVP Jeff Kent homers in his first at bat as a Houston Astro, leading a 10-4 mauling of the Rockies. Jeff Bagwell tops that with two home runs while Geoff Blum goes deep and drives in three. Roy Oswalt survives a shaky start for the victory.
Aug 19, 2003:	Jeff Kent smashes a home run and drives in six to pace a 12-8 slugfest over the Chicago Cubs in Houston. His shot off Matt Clement snaps a 5-5 tie. Lance Berkman also delivers three hits. The victory keeps Houston a game in front of St. Louis for the division lead while the Cubs lurk just 1-1/2 games behind.
Aug 26, 2003:	Jeff Kent homers and drives in five to pace an 18-4 explosion over the Dodgers. Brad Ausmus plates four. Jeff Bagwell also goes deep. Ron Villone wins his sixth of the year.
Sep 1, 2003:	Jeff Kent belts a grand slam and drives in six as Houston bombs Los Angeles, 10-1. Brad Ausmus adds a home run. Wade Miller ups his record to 12-11. The Astros tie St. Louis for the Central Division lead while Chicago lurks just 1-1/2 games behind.
Sep 16, 2003:	Richard Hidalgo blasts three homers and drives in five to lead a 14-4 slugfest over the Rockies at Coors Field. Adam Everett, Morgan Ensberg and Jeff Kent join him in the home run derby. Jeriome Robertson wins his 15th, a Houston rookie record, to keep the Astros 1-1/2 games ahead of Chicago in the N.L. Central race.
Apr 7, 2004:	What retirement? 41-year-old Roger Clemens makes his debut as an Astro a memorable one, blanking the Giants on one hit over seven innings to earn his 311th career victory, a 10-1 blowout. Homers by Richard Hidalgo, Jeff Bagwell and Jeff Kent support The Rocket who fans nine, including slugger Barry Bonds twice. Clemens also singles in his first at-bat as a National Leaguer.
Jun 11, 2004:	Jeff Kent doubles in the second inning to set the club's hitting streak record at 25 games. He's gunned down attempting to steal third, however, and Milwaukee emerges with a 9-3 decision as Scott Podsednik homers and drives in four.
Jul 13, 2004:	Houston hosts the All-Star Game for the third time. Four Astros are named to the National League team and three start but the American League leaves with a 9-4 victory, buoyed by a six-run first inning off Roger Clemens. Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran single before the Minute Maid Park crowd while Lance Berkman mans center field. Local fans boo manager Jimy Williams when he is introduced. It will be the last time as he and two coaches are fired the next day. Former Astro infielder Phil Garner is named interim manager.
Aug 19, 2004:	First the Astros turn a triple play then turn around a huge deficit in a 12-10 triumph in Philadelphia. The trifecta goes 5-4-3 off the bat of Todd Pratt in the fifth with Morgan Ensberg touching third, tossing to Jeff Kent at second for the force and Kent relaying to Mike Lamb at first to end the inning. But the Phils led 7-2. Next came a three-homer Houston assault in the seventh with Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman launching two-run shots before Eric Bruntlett topped them with a three-run blast for a 10-7 lead. A two-run double from Kent is needed to survive the final rally, giving Chad Qualls his first major league win. Lamb also steals home.
Aug 27, 2004:	Carlos Beltran's two home runs lead a five-dinger barrage as Houston clubs the Cubs, 15-7. Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent and Lance Berkman also supply the long ball. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th despite harassment from Chicago's Michael Barrett who is still upset over being hit by Oswalt the previous weekend in Houston. Oswalt is plunked by Kent Mercker but nobody is tossed despite the war of words.
Aug 31, 2004:	Given up for dead, the Astros win their fifth straight to creep back within three games of the National League wild card lead. The home run bats go to work in an 8-0 triumph as Jeff Kent goes deep twice while Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman go back-to-back-to-back in the fourth off Aaron Harang. Brandon Backe gets the shutout with help from three relievers. Houston still needs to overtake four other teams in order to get back to the postseason.
Sep 26, 2004:	Backup catcher Raul Chavez drives in five as Houston outslugs Milwaukee, 11-7. Morgan Ensberg adds four hits. Jeff Kent and Lance Berkman go deep. The Astros are 1-1/2 games behind the Cubs in the hunt for the final playoff berth.
Oct 2, 2004:	Roy Oswalt becomes the National League's only 20-game winner with a 9-3 triumph over Colorado. Craig Biggio smashes two homers to set a career high. Jeff Kent goes yard to set a career record for home runs by a second baseman with 278. More importantly, the win clinches a tie for the wild card spot when ex-Astro Steve Finley belts a walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a 7-3 verdict over the Giants. The next day, Brandon Backe clinches the berth for Houston with a 5-3 victory, giving the Astros a 92-70 mark. They finished the year winning 36 of their last 46 games and 18 straight at home.
Oct 10, 2004:	Craig Biggio pops his first postseason home run and Houston leads Atlanta, 5-2, in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. with a chance to advance. Then Chad Qualls gives up a three-run homer to Adam Laroche and the Braves push across the winning run in the ninth to steal a 6-5 verdict and fly back to Atlanta for a decisive fifth game. Jeff Kent rolls into a double play with two men on in the bottom of the ninth to end a painful day - made worse by the news of ex-teammate Ken Caminiti's death in New York at age 41.
Oct 13, 2004:	A six-run sixth inning puts the Cardinals out of reach as they outslug the Astros, 10-7, in Game One of the N.L.C.S. in St. Louis. Brandon Backe and Chad Qualls are torched by the league's most potent offense, despite receiving home run support from Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Jeff Kent and Mike Lamb.
Oct 16, 2004:	Roger Clemens cools off the Cardinal bats with seven innings of four-hit ball as the Astros win Game Three of the N.L.C.S., 5-2. Jeff Kent homers in the opening frame and Houston nurses a 3-2 advantage until Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman drill solo shots to give the bullpen some breathing room. St. Louis still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1.
Oct 18, 2004:	In a classic postseason pitching duel, Houston's Brandon Backe and St. Louis' Woody Williams trade one-hit performances over the first seven innings. Backe keeps his no-hit bid until a two-out single by Tony Womack in the sixth and allows just that for eight innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Kent belts a mammoth three-run homer off Jason Isringhausen to send the crowd into delirium, a 3-0 triumph in Game Five and a 3-2 lead in the N.L.C.S., needing just one win in Missouri to reach the World Series.