Which former Giants beat writer will be handing Jeff Kent his Hall of Fame plaque? - San Francisco Chronicle

What the report says

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Josh Rawitch, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, will present Jeff Kent with his Hall of Fame plaque during Sunday’s induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. The connection is notable because Rawitch once covered Kent as a young reporter on the San Francisco Giants beat for sfgiants.com during the team’s 2002 World Series season.

According to the Chronicle, Rawitch was 26 when he covered a Giants club led by Kent and Barry Bonds, with Dusty Baker managing and Brian Sabean serving as general manager. More than two decades later, Rawitch is in charge of the institution welcoming Kent, who retired more than 17 years ago and is now receiving baseball’s top individual honor.

The Chronicle described the relationship between Kent and Rawitch as one that evolved over time. They were not especially close during Rawitch’s media stint in San Francisco, when Kent was known for being guarded with reporters. Their rapport grew after Kent joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rawitch was working in public relations there. Kent told the Chronicle that having someone he knows involved in the ceremony has made the moment feel more personal.

The article also placed Kent’s induction in a broader Giants context. The Chronicle noted that other figures from that 2002 team could soon receive Hall consideration, including Baker, Sabean and Bruce Bochy, while Buster Posey is expected to be a strong future candidate. For Giants fans, Kent’s ceremony may be part of a larger period of recognition for a franchise era that shaped modern San Francisco baseball.