JockBio: Ian Kinsler Facts

JockBio Vital Stats
• Texas Rangers	• Second Base	• #5
• Height: 6' 0"	• Weight: 200	• Born: 6/22/82

Growing up, Ian was an avid soccer player. He was an all-state mid-fielder his senior year of high school and still plays the game today.
After declining to sign with Arizona in 2000, Ian was then drafted again in 2001 by the Diamondbacks in the 26th round.
Ian was the first rookie in Rangers history with at least 100 hits, 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a single season.
Despite Ian’s fine rookie season in 2006, he was overshadowed by a bumper crop of first-year stars, including Justin Verlander, Jonathan Papelbon, Francisco Liriano, Hanley Ramirez, Prince Fielder, Dan Uggla and Ryan Zimmerman.
In 2007, Ian was one of only six players in the AL to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
Ian was the toughest Ranger to strike out in 2008 and 10th toughest in the American League—he averaged just one K every 8.7 plate appearances.
In 2009, Ian was named #24 on The Sporting News’ list of the 50 top current players in baseball.
Ian made the 2010 All-Star team when Dustin Pedroia was unable to play. He made the final out in a 3–1 loss to the National League.
In 2010, Ian became the second player to get a hit in each of his first five postseason games. Nomar Garciaparra was the first.
Ian is Jewish and has become a prominent figure in the Jewish community. In 2008, he was featured in the Hank Greenberg 75th Anniversary edition of Jewish Major League Baseball Cards, which commemorated Jewish big leaguers from 1871 to 2008,
Ian and Michael Young are best friends. However, Young has no problem getting in Ian’s face. Once, during a blowout Texas win, Ian swung at a 3-0 pitch and fouled it off. Young berated him for taking a hack when the team was up by six runs.
Ian is a huge fan favorite in Texas. There are a number of Facebook groups devoted to him, including “Sorry Dustin Pedroia, But You Ain’t Got Nothin’ on Ian Kinsler.”
Ian’s favorite baseball movie is Field of Dreams. His favorite movie ever is Boondock Saints.
Ian says his five strangest autograph requests have been a diaper, yarmulke, kids’ arms, giant baseball and neck brace.
Ian and Tess have one child, Rian Brooklyn, who was born on December 5, 2008.

Justin Verlander,
Bowman Boxtop

Dustin Pedroia, 2008 Heritage