Ian Kinsler facts for kids

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Ian Kinsler

Kinsler with the Detroit Tigers in 2016

Second baseman

Born: June 22, 1982 (age 43)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

debut

April 3, 2006, for the Texas Rangers

Last appearance

August 12, 2019, for the San Diego Padres

MLB statistics

Batting average

.269

Home runs

257

Runs batted in

909

Teams

Texas Rangers (2006–2013)
Detroit Tigers (2014–2017)
Los Angeles Angels (2018)
Boston Red Sox (2018)
San Diego Padres (2019)

Career highlights and awards

4× All-Star (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
World Series champion (2018)
2× Gold Glove Award (2016, 2018)
Texas Rangers Hall of Fame

Medals

Men's baseball

Representing United States
World Baseball Classic
Gold	2017 Los Angeles	Team

Ian Michael Kinsler (born June 22, 1982) is an American-Israeli former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons. His teams included the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres. Kinsler was a four-time All Star player. He also won the Gold Glove Award twice. In 2018, he was a member of the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

Even though he was drafted later in the 2000 MLB draft, Kinsler became a top player. He was known as a five-tool player, meaning he was good at hitting for power, hitting for average, running, throwing, and fielding.

Kinsler achieved the "30–30 club" twice. This means he hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in the same season (2009 and 2011). Only 16 players in MLB history have done this multiple times. In 2009, he also hit for the cycle in one game. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. He also got six hits in that game, which is very rare.

He retired after the 2019 season with 1,999 career hits. In 2021, he played for the Israeli national baseball team in the 2020 Summer Olympics. He later managed Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Kinsler was born in Tucson, Arizona. His father is Jewish, and his mother is Catholic. His great-grandparents moved to the U.S. in the 1930s to escape problems in Europe. Ian's father, Howard, played basketball in college and was a big influence on him. When Ian was four, his dad would throw him fly balls, and he was naturally good at catching them.

His father coached him until high school and was very strict. Once, when Kinsler was 13 and the best player on his team, his dad benched him for rolling his eyes. The team lost the championship game without him.

Kinsler also faced a challenge with asthma his whole life. He sometimes had trouble breathing and had to go to the hospital. He learned to control it with medicine, which helped him stay active in sports.

He graduated in 2000 from Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, Arizona. Kinsler helped his high school baseball team win state titles in 1997 and 2000. He was a great hitter and base stealer in his senior year. Several of his high school teammates also became major league players. In 2019, he was honored in the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.

College and Draft Journey

Kinsler was first drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000 after high school. But he decided to go to college instead. He started at Central Arizona College, where he played shortstop and hit very well. The Diamondbacks drafted him again in 2001, but he still chose to stay in college to improve his game.

He then transferred to Arizona State University. Later, he moved to the University of Missouri for his junior year. His coach there, Tim Jamieson, was very impressed with his defensive skills. Kinsler had a strong batting average and stole many bases at Missouri.

The Texas Rangers drafted Kinsler for the third time in 2003. He was picked in the 17th round, which is later than many top players. Kinsler felt he was better than a 17th-round pick. But he signed with the Rangers on his 21st birthday. Scouts later praised this pick as one of the best later-round draft choices ever.

Minor League Career (2003–2005)

Starting in the Pros

Kinsler began his professional career as a shortstop in 2003. He played for the Spokane Indians and worked hard on his hitting and strength during the off-season.

Breakout Season in 2004

In 2004, Kinsler had a fantastic year. He started with the Low-A Clinton LumberKings, hitting over .400. He was so good that he was promoted two levels to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. He continued to hit well there.

Overall in 2004, Kinsler led the minor leagues in doubles with 51. He also had a high batting average, 20 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. He was named the Rangers' Minor League Player of the Year. He also won the "Diamond in the Rough Award" for rising from being less known to a top prospect.

Moving to Second Base in 2005

In 2005, Kinsler played for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks. He started learning to play second base because the team thought he would play that position in the major leagues. He continued to show his power, hitting 23 home runs and scoring 102 runs.

Kinsler with the Oklahoma RedHawks in September 2005

Major League Career

Texas Rangers (2006–2013)

Rookie Season in 2006

Kinsler earned the starting second base job for the Rangers in 2006. He made his MLB debut on April 3, 2006, and got his first hit off famous pitcher Curt Schilling. Soon after, he dislocated his thumb sliding into second base and missed time. When he returned, he hit two home runs in his first game back.

He finished his rookie season with a .286 batting average, 14 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. He was named the Texas Rangers 2006 Rookie of the Year.

20–20 Season in 2007

Kinsler in April 2007

Kinsler started 2007 strong, hitting nine home runs in April. This tied a team record. He later had a stress fracture in his foot, which made him miss some games. Despite the injury, he hit 20 home runs and stole 23 bases, joining the "20–20 club." He was the sixth player in Rangers history to do this.

All-Star Season in 2008

In 2008, Kinsler signed a big contract with the Rangers. He became the team's leadoff hitter, meaning he was usually the first batter in the game. He was very good at getting on base and stealing.

Kinsler was chosen as an AL All-Star for the first time. He had a 25-game hitting streak that season. He was leading the AL in many hitting categories before a sports hernia injury ended his season early. Even with the injury, he had a great year, hitting .319 with 102 runs and 26 stolen bases.

Hitting for the Cycle and 30–30 Club in 2009

Kinsler batting against Baltimore, April 2009

In 2009, Kinsler was named one of the top 50 players in baseball by Sporting News. On April 15, 2009, he had an amazing game against the Baltimore Orioles. He hit for the cycle, getting a single, double, triple, and home run. He also got six hits in that game, which is very rare. He was the first player in over 100 years to get six hits and hit for the cycle in the same game.

He also set a club record for career leadoff home runs. Kinsler joined the 30–30 club for the first time in 2009, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases. He was the only player in MLB to do this that year.

Another All-Star Season in 2010

Kinsler missed the start of the 2010 season due to an ankle injury. When he returned, he played well enough to be selected as an All-Star for the second time. He finished the season with a strong batting average and on-base percentage.

In the playoffs, Kinsler was a key player for the Rangers. He hit three home runs in the first round, helping his team advance.

30–30 Club Again in 2011

Kinsler in 2011

In 2011, Kinsler made history by hitting a leadoff home run in the first two games of the season. He also set a new personal record for consecutive stolen bases without being caught.

For the second time in his career, Kinsler joined the 30–30 club, hitting 32 home runs and stealing 30 bases. This made him one of only 12 players in MLB history to have multiple 30–30 seasons. He also joined the "20–20 club" for the third time.

All-Star in 2012

In 2012, the Rangers gave Kinsler a new, long-term contract, making him one of the highest-paid second basemen in baseball. He was an All-Star again, his third time. He finished the season with many runs scored and doubles.

Rangers' All-Time Stolen Base Leader in 2013

Kinsler fields a ball during Spring Training in 2013

By 2013, Kinsler became the Texas Rangers' all-time career leader in stolen bases with 172. He was also very hard to strike out. In 2022, he was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Detroit Tigers (2014–2017)

In November 2013, Kinsler was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He was traded for another All-Star player, Prince Fielder.

All-Star Season in 2014

Kinsler in 2014

In 2014, Kinsler was named to his fourth All-Star team. He led the American League in at-bats and was among the leaders in hits, doubles, and runs scored. He also won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for second base.

Fielding Bible Award in 2015

Kinsler (left) with Tyler Collins, 2015

On September 10, 2015, Kinsler got his 1,500th career hit. He had his best batting average since 2008. He was also excellent on defense, leading the major leagues in multi-hit games. After the season, he won the Fielding Bible Award as the best-fielding second baseman in MLB.

Gold Glove in 2016

In 2016, Kinsler became the first Tigers player to hit leadoff home runs in four games in a row. He also hit his 200th career home run. He set a new Tigers record for leadoff home runs in a single season with eight.

He finished the season with 117 runs and 28 home runs. On defense, he was a top second baseman in the AL. After the season, Kinsler won his first Gold Glove Award for second base.

Defensive Leader in 2017

In 2017, Kinsler missed some time due to a hamstring injury. He also faced a fine for comments he made about an umpire. Despite this, he was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award again. He led AL second basemen in important defensive stats like Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved.

Los Angeles Angels (2018)

Kinsler with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018

In December 2017, the Tigers traded Kinsler to the Los Angeles Angels. In 2018, he hit his 48th career leadoff home run, which ranked fourth all-time in MLB history.

Boston Red Sox (2018): World Series Champion

Kinsler batting for the Boston Red Sox in 2018

In July 2018, the Angels traded Kinsler to the Boston Red Sox. He played 37 regular season games for the Red Sox. Kinsler won a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2018, when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After the season, Kinsler won his second Gold Glove Award for second base. He was the only player in the American League to steal more than 10 bases and score more than 60 runs in each of the 13 seasons from 2006 to 2018.

San Diego Padres (2019): Final Season

In December 2018, Kinsler signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres. His season ended early due to a neck injury. On August 12, 2019, Kinsler pitched for the first time in his MLB career. He pitched a scoreless inning and then hit a home run in the same game. This was his final game in the major leagues. He ended his career with 1,999 hits.

Front Office Career

San Diego Padres

On December 20, 2019, Kinsler announced he was retiring from playing. He then joined the Padres' front office as an adviser for baseball operations. He finished his 14-year career with 257 home runs, 909 RBIs, and 243 stolen bases.

Texas Rangers

In February 2023, Kinsler was hired by the Texas Rangers. He works as a special assistant to the general manager. He also served as a coach for the National League team in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game.

International Baseball Career

In 2017, Kinsler played for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and won a gold medal.

In March 2020, Kinsler became an Israeli citizen and joined Team Israel. The team qualified to play baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Kinsler played second base for Team Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He also managed Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Personal Life

Kinsler identifies as Jewish. He was featured in a special edition of Jewish Major Leaguers Baseball Cards. In 2013, he became the all-time career steals leader among Jewish major leaguers.

Kinsler married his high school sweetheart, Tess Brady, in 2006. They have two children. In 2008, he won an award for his community work with the Rangers. In July 2022, Kinsler was one of the torch carriers at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem.